Exactly how safe is a gel manicure?

Safety is a concern for those who enjoy getting their nails done. With the European Union banning TPO - an ingredient that helps gel polish harden under UV light - and the UK expected to follow suit next year, many are left wondering what this means for their favorite beauty trend.

While some might be tempted to ditch their gel manicures altogether, dermatologist Dr Shari Lipner cautions against completely avoiding them. Instead, she advises caution and recommends taking steps to protect yourself from potential risks. For instance, choosing gels that soak off with acetate rather than hard gels or acrylics can reduce the risk of brittle nails.

Moreover, selecting salons that use LED lamps instead of traditional UV ones is a good idea, as they give off lower doses of UV radiation and are linked to a reduced risk of skin cancer. Even wearing cotton gloves with cut-off fingertips can provide some protection from UV light when your hands are under the lamp.

It's also worth noting that taking breaks between treatments allows nails time to recover, which is essential for maintaining healthy nail growth.

Lastly, be mindful of ingredients like Hema, another common component found in DIY nail kits and salon products, after a surge in cases of allergic contact dermatitis. Being aware of these risks can help you make informed decisions about your beauty routine.

I'm kinda worried about all this TPO ban stuff ... I mean, gel polish is literally my fave! ‍ But at the same time, I don't want to risk my nails or skin health . It's like, what's a girl to do?! Maybe it's time for me to start using those acetate gels instead of hard ones... and I'll make sure to get my nails done at salons with LED lamps . And omg, I had no idea about Hema being a thing! Need to do more research on that one . Anyone else feel like their beauty routine is getting a little more complicated?

omg i had no idea they were banning tpo what's going to happen to gel polish now?? i've been getting my nails done like every 2 weeks and the last thing i want is some kind of skin cancer do you think they'll make new stuff that's just as good? also can we talk about why there's a ban on tpo in the first place? did someone have a bad reaction to it or something?

im so frustrated about this TPO ban , i've had gel polish for years and its become such a part of my self care routine. but at the same time, i get it - we gotta prioritize our skin health . i think its just crazy that we need to start taking precautions again, like choosing acetate gels or wearing gloves when getting a manicure . and omg, dont even get me started on DIY kits... those ingredients can be so toxic . anyway, hopefully salons will start using more eco friendly options soon and its all good for our nails and skin

omg I'm so glad the EU is taking steps to protect our skin ! but at the same time I'm kinda bummed that TPO is being banned it's def gonna affect my fave gel polish trend anyway, gotta stay safe and prioritize my nail health choosing acetate gels over hard gels makes total sense and LED lamps are a game changer too can't stress enough how important it is to be mindful of ingredients like Hema too gotta do some research before I get my nails done again

I'm kinda stoked that the EU is cracking down on TPO ingredient , it's been a hot topic for ages anyway. But seriously, I've seen so many friends ruin their nails with all those hard gels and UV lamps... like, what's the point of having healthy nails if you're just gonna damage them in the process? Switching to acetate gels or LED lamps is def a step in the right direction, but we need more awareness about salon safety too. I mean, have you ever stopped to think about all the weird stuff that goes into those DIY kits? Hema, who knew? Anyway, taking breaks and using cotton gloves sounds like a no-brainer, but let's be real, it's not always easy to prioritize our own beauty game.

Ugh I'm not loving this news ... who thought it was a good idea to get rid of TPO? I mean, I get the concerns about UV light and skin cancer, but for all us gel nail lovers out there, this is like, the end of the world . What's next, no more mascara or lip gloss? I'm definitely gonna be checking out those salons with LED lamps though, that's a must . And omg, Hema? Never heard of it, but if there's been a surge in allergic reactions, I need to know about it . Anyone else feeling like they're gonna have to switch up their nail game?

I'm thinking, it's all about balance with our beauty habits. We don't wanna ditch gel manicures entirely cuz they're a fave for many, but at the same time, we gotta be mindful of those potential risks . It's cool that there are alternatives like LED lamps and acetate gels now. Just make sure you do your research on the salon and products before committing to something new . And hey, taking breaks between treatments is a great idea too! Our nails need a break too .

so what if they ban tpo? like how are ppl gonna give up gel polish? it's just a minor setback for the nail game lol. and omg have u seen those salons with the fancy LED lamps? they're so instagrammable anyway, i totally agree with dr lipner on taking precautions. my sister has brittle nails all the time and it's like, every salon she goes to is a gamble . and yeah, acetate gels are a thing now... not sure if i'll try those though. anyone else have any fave nail salons that use good equipment?

The EU is finally taking some sanity into account . I mean, who thought it was a good idea to expose people's hands to UV light every time they get their nails done? It's not like nail polish is going anywhere (pun intended). Anyway, I'm glad Dr Lipner is speaking out about the risks and offering some practical tips on how to minimize them. Using LED lamps and cotton gloves are no-brainer safety measures. And yeah, let's all just take a deep breath and appreciate that we have dermatologists looking out for our skin health . By the way, has anyone else noticed how many "DIY" nail kits seem to be popping up everywhere lately? It's like people think they can replicate salon quality at home without putting themselves through unnecessary risks... no thanks!

omg I'm so worried about gel polish now I love getting my nails done but I've heard mixed things about the new EU ban...I'm thinking of switching to acetate gels just in case, or maybe trying a different type of nail treatment altogether what do you guys think? Should we be cutting back on our gel manicures or are there other ways to stay safe while still getting our nails done

omg can u believe they're banning tpo what's gonna happen to our gel manicures? i know some ppl are all like ditch it, but doc shari says caution is key choosing acetate gels over hard ones and LED lamps instead of UV ones sounds like a solid plan to me and taking breaks between treatments cant hurt either its all about being aware of the risks and making informed decisions about our beauty routine

Ugh, I'm so over this forum's layout... Can't they just simplify the comments section already? Anyway, back to nail safety... I mean, I get it, TPO is out and that's a bummer for all us gel polish lovers . But honestly, some of these "safety precautions" seem like common sense. Like, who doesn't know to wear cotton gloves when getting their nails done? And what's with the obsession with LED lamps? Can't we just stick to traditional UV lamps and be done with it? I mean, I'm all for being cautious, but can't we just have a straightforward conversation about nail safety without all these extra steps and warnings? And another thing, what's the point of taking breaks between treatments if you're still gonna use gel polish that's basically just going to dry out your nails anyway? Just sayin'.

OMG u guys! So there's this new ban on TPO (whatever that is lol) and I'm low-key freaking out cuz I LOVE gel polish But like Dr Shari Lipner says, it's not all doom and gloom... or should I say, not all UV doom and gloom ? Choosing acetate gels over hard ones is a good start, and LED lamps are def a safer bet than traditional UV ones. And can we talk about how cute cotton gloves with cut-off fingertips are?! Taking breaks between treatments also makes sense, 'cause who doesn't love a good nail break? And omg, be aware of that Hema ingredient, like seriously get to know what's in your DIY kits and salon products!

‍ I'm low-key worried about this EU ban but high-key glad someone's looking out for us ! Choosing acetate gels over hard gels is a solid move , and those LED lamps are a great alternative to UV ones ️. Taking breaks between treatments is also super important - our nails (and skin) need time to recover . And omg, be careful with Hema ingredients , some people are really allergic to them ! I think this ban's a good thing overall, but we should still be mindful of these risks and take steps to protect ourselves

I'm telling ya, this EU ban on TPO is just a smokescreen for something bigger . Mark my words, it's all about controlling our bodies and minds with "safety" as an excuse. They're gonna try to get us to ditch gel polish altogether and switch to those eco-friendly nail alternatives... meanwhile, the real agenda is to make us dependent on their patented products . And don't even get me started on that Hema ingredient . I swear, it's like they're trying to poison us with beauty products! The dermatologist's advice might seem good on the surface, but what about all those chemicals she's not mentioning? It's like, wake up, sheeple! We need to do our own research and question everything .