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Navigating the Side-effects of Gel Nail Polish

November 23, 2024

Rise to Popularity

Gel nail polish has become popular through the internet and social media platforms such as TikTok for its durability and easy application. It is relatively new to the market so there is not much research done on the side effects. Online, users have easy access to do it yourself (DIY) gel nail polish kits. However, the improper application of these products, particularly when DIY-ing, can lead to severe allergic reactions due to the exposure of uncured chemicals. This could lead to allergic contact dermatitis and ultraviolet-induced lesions. While it may appear to be a faster, cheaper, and easier manicure method than other options, it is important to know the health implications of using gel nail products and how user informed choices can protect nail health and prevent adverse effects.

UV/LED Lamps

Gel nail polish is a type of nail polish that is made up of oligomers and ultraviolet (UV) catalysts. After application of the polish, it is hardened or cured under a UV or LED lamp for a period around 2 minutes or 30 seconds depending on the lamp and the strength of energy emitted. The lamp causes oligomers in the polish to change their structure, hence curing the liquid and leading to polymerization (Putek 202). While this may seem harmless, in reality, cumulative exposure to UV light may cause ocular toxicity (cataracts, macular degeneration) and UV lamps can emit 4.2 times more energy than the sun (Litaiem 2022).

Nail Lesions 

The usage of gel nail polish is also associated with various nail lesions. These include pterygium inversum unguis (a triangular wedge of tissue), pseudoleukonychia (white spots on the nail surface), lamellar splitting, brittle nails, thinning of the nail plate, yellow discoloration, pincer nail deformity, and ridged nails (Litaiem 2022). Such damage can result from both the application and removal processes, which often involve mechanical peeling, soaking in acetone, or exposure to other harsh chemicals. During the removal process, oftentimes the nail is often wrapped in aluminum soaked with acetone and then a cuticle pusher and nail buffer are used to remove the remaining gel. Hence, exposing the nails to harsh chemicals.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Additionally, gel nail polish may cause allergic contact dermatitis due to its chemical components, particularly methacrylates like 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) (Litaiem 2022). These acrylic monomers, responsible for many acrylate-induced allergic reactions, are polymerized under UV or LED lamps during curing. However, incomplete polymerization, especially in DIY setups without professional-grade equipment, can leave methacrylates on the skin. As a result, increasing the risk of allergic reactions. Once allergic contact dermatitis develops, there is no cure, only avoidance of products containing the triggering compounds. Studies suggest that improper application techniques and removals, such as at-home gel manicures performed by non-professionals, may further increase the risk of side effects. 

Takeaways

Making sure one is informed about the potential risks of side-effects associated with gel nail polish, such as nail damage and allergic reactions, is critical to making safer and more conscious decisions. However, it is disheartening that despite these risks, many people feel compelled to prioritize beauty standards over their health and would continue to get gel manicures. This reflects how societal pressures and cultural norms often place appearance above well-being, perpetuating choices that may lead to long-term harm. Greater awareness and education are important to challenge these norms.

 

Sources Cited

Litaiem, N., Baklouti, M., & Zeglaoui, F. (2022). Side effects of gel nail polish: A systematic review. Clinics in Dermatology, 40(6), 706–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2022.07.008

Putek, J., Przybyła, T., Szepietowski, J. C., Baran, W., & Batycka-Baran, A. (2020). Side-effects associated with gel nail polish: A self-questionnaire study of 2,118 respondents. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 100(18), 5931. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3684

 

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  Timothy Durham was convicted of rape when a test showed his DNA genotype matched the DNA recovered from the crime scene. Eye witnesses testified that Durham was in a different state at the time of the incident, but he wasn’t exonerated from his 3000 year sentence until follow up DNA analysis showed that the preliminary forensic analysis used in the trial was misinterpreted (Thomas et al.). DNA testing serves an invaluable part in our criminal justice system, but it comes with complications and bias that can lead to wrongful convictions and misinformed juries.  

Background:

Forensic genetics aims to identify the origin of a biological sample. It can be traced back to Karl Landsteiner who discovered human ABO blood groups. With blood groups, suspects could be eliminated based on their blood type. For example, if a suspect had type A blood and there was type B blood left at the scene by the perpetrator, the investigators could rule out the suspect. Unfortunately, the reverse didn’t work. If the suspect and perpetrator both had the same blood type, it can’t be concluded that the suspect was guilty. Blood identifiers evolved into 8 distinct categories which improved the ability to eliminate suspects, but could only conclude that (if the system matched) it might be the perpetrator or this person might be related to the perpetrator (Jobling and Gill). The field evolved in the 1980s with the discovery of Minisatellites, lines of repetitive DNA that don’t encode proteins. Minisatellite patterns in DNA create what we know today as the DNA fingerprint, and it has a much higher accuracy rate than previous methods (Augustyn et al.). Around the same time, a breakthrough for victims of sexual assault was discovered. In the case of assault, bodily fluids of both the victim and the assaulter can get mixed. A process called differential lysis was created which could selectively increase the concentration of sperm in a fluid sample thereby allowing for accurate DNA testing (Jobling and Gill). Forensics evolved to use single-locus probe testing after several years because of its ease of interpretation. It looked at specific minisatellites that had high variability between subjects. This was the first DNA-based method to be used in a criminal investigation. Two murder homicides from several years apart were connected using DNA evidence. The evidence was then used to exonerate an innocent man, and the guilty party was found when he tried to evade mandatory DNA testing for all men in the small town. His guilt was then reinforced when the DNA profiles matched, and he gave a confession (Jobling and Gill). Finding DNA at a crime scene doesn’t guarantee that you’ll find a murderer. There are issues with non-pure samples and limited samples that make DNA work difficult, and accreditation of facilities and new techniques and take time (Jobling and Gill).  

Subjectivity of DNA Interpretation:

In a 2009 publication, the National Academy of Science discusses the possibility for subjective influence in lab based forensics. The interpretation bias happens in complex cases where, for example, there could be a mixture of DNA. A study published in 2011 looked specifically at this issue. A gang rape happened in Georgia, and the mixture in DNA from the case was used to prosecute one suspect after another suspect took a plea bargain to testify against him. With DNA mixtures, there are three possible conclusions: suspect excluded, suspect cannot be excluded, and inconclusive. If the suspect is excluded, it means that there’s little to no possibility that his DNA is part of the sample. If the suspect cannot be excluded, it means that there’s a possibility that his DNA is part of the sample. In the trial, the DNA examiners who knew the context of the case concluded that the suspect being prosecuted could not be excluded. The 2011 study gave the DNA evidence from this case and the DNA profiles of the suspects to 17 forensic examiners. These examiners had no context of the case, and they all worked independently. Of the 17, only 1 came to the same conclusion (suspect cannot be excluded) as the examiners who knew the context of the case. Twelve of the 17 concluded that the suspect who was prosecuted and convicted had no relation to the DNA found in the sample. Not only does this show that subjectivity occurs due to the context of the case, but the 17 examiners came up with different findings based on their past experiences meaning that not all DNA analysis is objective. Some organizations like the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods say that quantitative statistical evidence should be presented with every categorical conclusion, but the US doesn’t require this (Dror and Hampikian).

False Positives:

There are two categories that cause wrongful identification in a DNA report: coincidental matches and false positives. Coincidental matches are DNA matches between two unrelated people. The probability of these matches is about 1 to 500,000 for white individuals and about 1 to 350,000 for black individuals. This small probability of coincidental matches makes people feel confident in DNA evidence. False positives, on the other hand, are matches between DNA and test DNA that result from issues in the forensics lab. There have been multiple cases of forensics labs accidentally switching victim and suspected rapist DNA which lead to convictions that were later overturned when the lab realized the error. There are also cases of misreading or misunderstanding a sample. In a case from 1993, a man was convicted of rape because someone interpreted a mixed sample of victim and perpetrator DNA as an individual sample. The conviction was again overturned. To prevent false convictions, retesting DNA is allowed, but it’s not an efficient solution. Many people are pushing for statistical information on the probability of false positives, so that the jurors can make accurate judgements based on DNA evidence (Thomas et al.).  

Conclusion:

DNA analysis is a useful tool for the criminal justice system, but subjectivity can be an issue in forensic testing. To combat wrongful convictions, there are organizations like The Innocence Project who use DNA testing to free the innocent, but reformed forensic testing standards should be put in place to prevent subjectivity and to ensure juries are correctly informed during trials. https://www.innocenceproject.org/    

Citation:

Augustyn , Adam, et al. “DNA Finerprinting.” Encyclopedia Britannica , 26 Apr. 2018, www.britannica.com/science/DNA-fingerprinting#ref153186. Dror, Itiel E., and Greg Hampikian. “Subjectivity and Bias in Forensic DNA Mixture Interpretation.” Science & Justice, vol. 51, no. 4, 2011, pp. 204–208., doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2011.08.004. Jobling, Mark A., and Peter Gill. “Encoded Evidence: DNA in Forensic Analysis.” Nature Reviews: Genetics, vol. 5, no. 10, Oct. 2004, pp. 739–751., doi:10.1038/nrg1455. Thompson, William C, et al. “How the Probability of a False Positive Affects the Value of DNA Evidence.” Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 48, no. 1, Jan. 2003, pp. 1–8., doi:10.1520/jfs2001171.