More Than Beautiful Nails: Why Protecting Your Hands During Gel Manicures Matters

For many women, a manicure is more than a beauty appointment—it’s a confidence boost. Whether it’s a timeless nude, a vibrant seasonal color, or an intricate nail design, gel manicures have become the go-to choice for women who want long-lasting, salon-quality results. But as the popularity of gel nails has grown, so has awareness about an often-overlooked part of the process: repeated exposure to the LED UV lamps used to cure gel polish.

While one manicure isn’t likely to be cause for alarm, dermatologists and researchers have increasingly encouraged consumers to think about cumulative exposure over time. Women who enjoy gel manicures every few weeks may spend years placing their hands under curing lamps, making skin protection an important consideration as part of an overall beauty routine.

After all, our hands are often one of the first places to show visible signs of aging. Fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and changes in skin texture frequently appear on the hands before they do anywhere else. As skincare continues to evolve beyond the face, many beauty enthusiasts are looking for simple ways to protect their skin without giving up the treatments they love.

The challenge has been finding a solution designed specifically for the nail salon experience. For years, consumers have relied on fingerless UV gloves or sunscreen. While both may offer some protection, neither was created with gel manicures in mind.

Fingerless gloves often leave the fingertips, cuticles, and surrounding skin exposed—the very areas positioned closest to the curing lamp. Sunscreen presents its own challenges. Because it’s formulated to remain on the skin, applying it around the nail bed can interfere with proper gel application and curing. Even after the manicure is complete, sunscreen residue may affect the finished result. Recognizing that gap in the market, Dr. Alex Katz, a scientist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and biotechnology executive Paul Wagner set out to develop a solution designed specifically for people who love gel manicures.

The result was Magan’s HandShield.

Unlike products originally created for other purposes, Magan’s HandShield was formulated specifically for use during the LED UV nail curing process. The easy-to-use spray is applied just seconds before curing, covering not only the backs of the hands but also the fingertips, cuticles, and nail beds—areas that traditional fingerless gloves often cannot fully protect.

Once the manicure is complete, Magan’s HandShield rinses away easily with water. Unlike sunscreen, which is intentionally formulated to remain on the skin, the product was developed specifically to work alongside the gel manicure process without becoming a permanent part of the skincare routine.

The innovation behind Magan’s HandShield didn’t begin in a marketing meeting—it began in a research laboratory.

Dr. Katz discovered the regenerative antioxidant technology used in the product through his laboratory at UC Berkeley, where it underwent extensive testing, including evaluation using actual LED UV nail gel curing lamps, before advancing for clinical testing. Combining Dr. Katz’s scientific expertise with Wagner’s leadership in the biotechnology industry created the foundation for a product that bridges science and everyday beauty.

The two founders have known each other since graduate school, where they first met in their twenties before their careers took them in different directions. Wagner went on to become a successful businessman, most recently serving as CEO of Forte BioSciences, while Dr. Katz built a distinguished career in scientific research and academia.

Years later, they reunited around a shared mission. The founders often describe themselves as the “Ben & Jerry’s” of protection from the harmful effects of LED UV nail gel curing lamps—two longtime friends with different backgrounds who came together to solve a problem they believed had been overlooked.

Their goal wasn’t to replace gel manicures; it was to give consumers another option.

As awareness surrounding skin health continues to grow, more women are embracing preventative beauty habits that help preserve healthy-looking skin for years to come. Just as many people wear SPF every day or incorporate anti-aging skincare into their routines, protecting the hands during repeated gel manicures is becoming another thoughtful step in caring for one of the body’s most visible features. Magan’s HandShield was created with convenience in mind. It takes only seconds to apply, rinses off easily after use, and was specifically formulated for the unique environment of a nail appointment. Instead of adapting products originally intended for completely different purposes, consumers now have access to a solution designed specifically for the way gel manicures are performed.

Beautiful nails and healthy skin don’t have to be competing priorities.

Thanks to innovations like Magan’s HandShield, beauty lovers can continue enjoying the confidence that comes with a flawless gel manicure while taking an extra step to care for the skin that makes every manicure shine. Magan’s Handshield can be purchased on Amazon. In today’s beauty world, the smartest routines aren’t just about looking good—they’re about making informed choices. And when it comes to protecting your hands during gel manicures, choosing a product designed specifically for the job may be one of the simplest—and smartest—beauty decisions you can make.

Photo Credit: Alex Katz and Paul Wagner.