Should You Wear UV Protection Gloves to the Nail Salon? Experts Weigh In

The never-ending conversation about whether manicures are healthy for our nails or not marches on. In 2023, Kylie Jenner wore UV protection gloves in a TikTok video, and the latest question became: Should we be protecting our hands during a gel manicure?

While studies show that the carcinogenic risk from UV nail lamps is small, what we do know is that the type of UV light used for gel manicures tends to be UVA light, which has been linked to premature aging of the skin and can potentially lead to an increased risk of developing melanoma.Essentially, the lamps used in gel manicures may not be causing skin cancer, but prolonged use over time doesn’t help the skin, either.

With that said, being concerned about the impact of using UV gel lamps regularly isn’t unwarranted. It is never unreasonable to take added steps to protect your skin, like wearing fingerless UV gloves. Ahead, we asked dermatologists and nail experts to explain the ins and outs of UV protection gloves.

What Are UV Protection Gloves?

UV fingerless gloves aren’t necessarily a new product—they’re just new to the beauty world. Typically used during outdoor activities like fishing and gardening, UV fingerless gloves cover most of the hand and wrist but leave access to the fingers and fingertips for easy dexterity. In the context of manicures, they provide easy access for a nail artist to paint your fingertips.

Fingerless UV gloves are often made with fabrics like nylon or polyester and have various UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) ratings, which measure how much the material blocks UVA and UVB rays. However, despite wearing these gloves, some of the skin will still be exposed to the UV lamp, especially the area around the nails themselves. To address this, many people apply sunscreen all over their hands before putting on their gloves. “If you choose to use sunscreen, focus on zinc-based sunscreens with high zinc concentrations for best coverage,” Dr. Ilyas adds.

The Benefits of UV Protection Gloves

The most crucial benefit of UV fingerless gloves is that they help to conceal the skin and absorb the rays from the UV light. Additionally, they can potentially reduce signs of premature aging. “Aside from the clear need to protect our skin from UV damage as it pertains to skin cancer, one of the most common areas that concern patients when it comes to premature aging of the skin is the back of the hands,” Dr. Ilyas points out.

UV gloves can also make gel manicures a more comfortable experience for some. “In some cases, a client may have extreme sensitivity to light, in which case I would advise that they use the gloves during curing when necessary,” Arnold explains.

Should You Wear UV Protection Gloves During Every Gel Manicure?

Choosing whether to wear UV protection gloves during every manicure is ultimately a personal choice—but there are a few factors to consider when making your decision. If you get gel manicures routinely every few weeks, the cumulative exposure could contribute to premature sun damage and aging, so you may always want to wear a pair. Additionally, fair skin types (Fitzpatrick I-III) are at an increased risk for developing skin cancer and sun damage due to UV exposure, so those who fall into this category may feel more inclined to wear them.

Still, Dr. Farhang worries more about the effects of everyday sun exposure on the hands than the impact of UV lamps used for manicures. “As a skin cancer surgeon, a lot of the skin cancers I perform on the hands are from people who play golf, are in construction, or drivers, as [these activities lead to] long exposure times to UVA and UVB rays,” she notes.

The Final Takeaway

UV protection gloves have become one of the buzziest products in the sun and nail care world, making all of us wonder if they’re truly necessary during our gel manis. According to dermatologists and nail experts, deciding whether to wear them to the salon is up to you.

While they provide clear benefits like shielding your skin from UV rays and potentially reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, they play a small role in your skin’s overall health during nail appointments. “[These gloves] will help block the UV rays on your hand; however, if you’re under the lamp for such a short time, it won’t make a huge difference,” Dr. Farhang says.

That said, feel empowered to protect your skin how you see fit, whether with gloves, sunscreen, or both.