India, Feb. 6 -- I f you're someone who loves expressing yourself through your nails and getting a fresh look every week, we get you. But here's a word of caution: while weekly gel manicures keep your nails perfectly polished, repeated exposure to manicure lamps can quietly add up, potentially damaging the skin on your hands without you even noticing. In an Instagram video, Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, explained how repeated UVA (long-wave UV radiation) exposure from gel manicure lamps can gradually affect skin health over time, and shared simple tips to protect your hands while still enjoying your manicures. Gel manicure lamps may look harmless, but they do expose the skin to UVA radiation, even the newer LED-based lamps. "While LED lamps don't emit UVB (short-wave UV radiation), they still produce UVA wavelengths, which are linked to premature skin ageing and increased skin cancer risk. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and generates reactive oxygen species, which can damage DNA and skin cells over time," Dr Sood explains. According to him, occasional gel manicures are unlikely to cause significant harm, but frequent weekly sessions can gradually increase UVA exposure. "During gel manicures, the backs of the hands, fingers, and nail beds receive the most exposure. People at higher risk include those with fair skin, a personal or family history of skin cancer, or significant prior sun exposure," he warns. Because the damage from UVA exposure is cumulative rather than immediate, taking precautions consistently is key. He recommends three practical ways to protect your hands while still enjoying your gel manicures:...