As with virtually everything great in life, the saying "moderation is key" applies to your gel manicures. "There is definitely UV radiation that comes from the light boxes, which, as we know, is a risk factor for the development of skin cancer." Some companies that produce gel nail polish argue that the dose is very minimal, but Steele reminds us that every little bit adds up over the course of a lifetime, just as skin cancers and sunspots take a while to show up.

Does this mean you're stuck with chipped polish for your health's sake? Not quite, but according to Steele, it's in your best interest to scale back. "I personally love gel nail polish because I like having polished nails, and traditional polish won't stay for more than a day or so with all the hand-washing," Steele admits. Her compromise? Save gel manis for special occasions, and make sure your mani is being cured with an LED light (as opposed to the harmful UV lights many salons use). If you're not sure, wear fingertip-less sun gloves with UPF 50 to provide more reliable (and less-messy) protection than sunscreen. Unfortunately, this still isn't the safest option since they leave your fingertips exposed and vulnerable to cancer. The safest option is — you guessed it — not doing gel polish manicures at all.