Exactly how safe is a gel manicure?

Britain's obsession with beauty is so fierce that salon chains can now outdo high street banks in popularity - all thanks to the enduring allure of shiny, chip-resistant nails. But beneath that dazzling finish lies a complex web of chemicals and safety concerns that may leave even the most devoted nail enthusiasts scratching their heads.

In 2022, the European Union banned Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), an ingredient used in some gel polishes to trigger UV curing. The ban is set to be implemented in the UK next year after animal studies suggested it could cause fertility problems and harm foetuses. The decision has raised concerns about the safety of nail products, particularly for those who spend long hours at their job getting their nails done - salon technicians.

Research by Prof Runzeng Liu of Shandong University found that photoinitiators, used in UV-curable products like gel polishes, can be present on technicians' hands and in dust levels 100 times higher than typical indoor environments. This raises the risk of "cocktail effects" from simultaneous exposure to multiple chemicals, potentially leading to more severe reactions.

While some experts argue that TPO bans are necessary, others question their strictness, citing inconsistent enforcement and instances where manufacturers deliberately left off ingredients on labels despite testing proving they were still present.

Despite these concerns, millions of people continue to get regular manicures without incident. However, removing gels and acrylics can gradually strip away the nails' keratin layers, leading to weak or damaged natural nails over time. Filing their surface also risks trapping moisture beneath them, creating a breeding ground for fungus or bacteria.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends choosing safer alternatives like acetate soak-off gels, which reduce the risk of brittleness and peeling. Choosing salons that use LED lamps instead of traditional UV ones can also minimize skin cancer risks. And when getting your nails done, experts advise wearing cotton gloves with cut-off fingertips or sunscreen to protect from UV radiation.

Ultimately, it's up to individuals to weigh the risks and benefits of regular nail treatments and take steps to protect themselves.

I'm surprised people are still worried about nail polish chemicals in 2025. Like, come on, we've known about TPO for years now... it was banned in the EU like, forever ago (2022 ). And let's be real, millions of people have been getting regular manicures without incident this whole time... what did they expect? ‍ Salon chains and high street banks are basically interchangeable these days – it's not like one is gonna give you a free latte or anything .

And omg, photoinitiators on your hands and in the air? Like, isn't that just part of the whole nail polish experience? You think people didn't know they were getting chemicals with their gel polishes when they got them applied last year? Get a grip, folks... .

I'm really surprised how many people still get their nails done regularly despite all these safety concerns . Like, yeah sure, having shiny nails is cool and all, but at what cost? ‍ I remember reading about the EU ban on TPO and I was like 'wait, what's up with that?' But honestly, it's good to know there are safer alternatives out there like acetate soak-off gels . And omg, wearing cotton gloves is a total game changer when getting your nails done ! Protecting yourself from UV radiation and all that jazz is just common sense, right? Can't we just prioritize our health and wellbeing for once?

I mean, can you even? Salon chains outdoing high street banks in popularity over a beauty trend that's literally gonna poison your hands? Like, what's next? Lip gloss addiction leading to brain damage? But seriously, folks, if you're getting regular manicures, make sure you're doing it safe. I mean, do your research, know the ingredients, and don't be afraid to switch salons or products that are too harsh on your nails. And can we talk about how crazy it is that a beauty trend has become so toxic? Priorities, people!

I mean, can you believe nail polish is more popular than bank branches in Britain now? Like, I'm no expert but isn't that just a little... manic? And honestly, who knew chemicals were so toxic that they could cause fertility problems? It's like, let's get our nails done, not our babies!

But for real, if you're gonna get your nails done regularly, make sure to use safer stuff and wear gloves or sunscreen. Don't wanna be a nail-ty case (get it? nail-ty? ) and end up with fungus or skin cancer. Prioritize that keratin layer, fam!

omg u guys... think about all those salon technicians gettin their hands painted with all that toxic stuff every day . its like, we wanna look good, but at what cost? ‍ i mean, i've been to places where the polish is literally still drying on their fingers when they're doin a full makeover . and dont even get me started on the chemicals in them gels... its crazy that theres still no regulation in place . but at the same time, i love my nails too . guess its just about being aware of what youre puttin in ur body and takin steps 2 protect yerself .

OMG, I'm totally shocked that salon chains are outselling banks in popularity just because of the nail game ! But let's get real, have you guys seen the ingredients they use in those gel polishes? TPO, yeah no thanks . I mean, who knew it could cause fertility problems and harm foetuses?! That's like, a major red flag for me.

And don't even get me started on the dust levels ! 100 times higher than normal indoor environments? No thank you! As someone who loves getting their nails done, I need to know that I'm not exposing myself to harsh chemicals.

But at the same time, I get why some experts are saying that TPO bans might be a bit too strict . Like, what's the line between safety and over-regulation?

Anyway, it's all about being aware of the risks and taking steps to protect yourself . Choose safer alternatives like acetate soak-off gels, wear sunscreen (yes, really!), and support salons that use LED lamps . Your nails (and skin) will thank you !

I think this is crazy! We're so caught up in getting those perfect, shiny nails that we're neglecting our actual health ‍. I mean, it's not just about the chemicals in the polish, but also what's happening under the surface of our nails . All these safety concerns and risks are valid, but at the same time, millions of people are still getting their nails done without any issues .

I think the key is to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect ourselves . Like, if you're going to get your nails done regularly, make sure you choose a salon that uses safer alternatives . And don't forget to wear those cotton gloves or sunscreen to shield yourself from UV radiation . It's all about balance, right? We want our nails to look great, but we also need to prioritize our health .

I'm not sure I agree with the strictness of some of these bans, though . Maybe it's just a case of overcautiousness . Either way, let's all be more mindful of what we're putting on and in our bodies .

I gotta say, I'm a bit surprised by how obsessed people are with those gel nails in the UK. Like, who needs all that extra maintenance? But seriously, I do think it's crazy how some ingredients like TPO can be banned due to animal studies and yet we still have people getting them without even thinking about it...like, what's going on here?

And don't even get me started on the salon industry - they're basically outdoing banks in popularity now! Like, I'm all for supporting local businesses, but this is just wild. Maybe we should be looking at ways to make nail tech safer and more sustainable instead of just trying to find alternative ingredients?

And yeah, removing those gels and acrylics can definitely cause damage to your natural nails...I mean, have you ever tried to grow your nails out after getting a gel fill? Not fun. So yeah, I think it's great that there are some experts recommending safer alternatives and ways to protect yourself when getting your nails done.

I'm all about having fabulous nails, but this whole nail polish saga has me worried ! Like, we need to be careful what we're putting on our bodies, you know? Those chemicals can add up and cause some serious problems, especially for people who work with nail polish all day. It's like, I get it, beauty is important, but so is our health . Maybe we need to find ways to make nail polish safer or more eco-friendly? Like, I've been hearing about acetate soak-off gels and LED lamps - that sounds like a win-win to me! But at the end of the day, it's up to us to look after ourselves and our nails. ‍

I'm really surprised how toxic some nail products can be , I mean, we're talking about stuff that could affect fertility and harm foetuses... like what even is the point of having shiny nails if it's gonna cost our reproductive health? ‍ Not to mention all these weird chemicals in the air from salon workers and dust levels being 100 times higher than normal... it's like, we need to take care of ourselves before we worry about how they're doing their job . I've been thinking, maybe it's time for us to rethink our obsession with nail polish and just go au naturel? or at least try safer alternatives, you know, the ones that don't come with a bunch of warning labels . Anyway, it's all about weighing the risks and benefits, right?

omg u guys i'm literally shook by this lol like i know we love a good gel manicure but seriously the chemicals they use are insane i mean trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide is literally called TPO and it sounds like something out of a bad sci-fi movie it's banned in eu but not in uk yet? that's just crazy to me. and these photoinitiators they're everywhere! on our hands, in the dust... i mean what even is the point of having a salon if you're just gonna poison yourself every time you get a manicure

and don't even get me started on the american academy of dermatology's tips like acetate soak-off gels are supposed to be safer but what about all those people who can't afford them? or salons that still use traditional uv lamps? it just feels like we're getting played by the beauty industry

I feel bad for those salon techs though they gotta deal with all these harsh chemicals on a daily basis... I mean, I get that beauty is big business over there but at what cost? Like, I know some of those new gel polishes are chip-resistant and all that jazz , but the EU's ban on TPO shows us that even something as seemingly harmless as shiny nails can have serious health implications. On the other hand, it's also not fair to blame them for everything - I mean, they're just doing their job and trying to make people look good ... we should be more understanding of that.

I think this is wild - salon chains are outdoing high street banks in popularity just because people love their nails so much! But seriously, have you seen the chemicals they use? It's like, yeah we want pretty nails but at what cost?! The EU banned TPO because it could cause fertility problems and harm foetuses... that's crazy talk! And now everyone's worried about cocktail effects from exposure to multiple chemicals. Like, what even is safe anymore?! But on the flip side, some people are all like "oh, just choose safer alternatives" and I'm like, yeah good luck with that... not everyone's gonna be able to find a salon that uses LED lamps or whatever.

I'm low-key worried about all these chemicals in nail polish . I mean, yeah they're making our nails look fire , but at what cost? Those EU banned TPO for a reason, right? Like, if it's bad enough for foetuses then shouldn't we be careful too? And the fact that salons are outdoing banks is wild... like, nail polish can't even compare to financial stability . But seriously, I do love a good gel set, and now I'm gonna start looking into safer options . Anyone else been feeling me on this?

omg u guys!! i'm literally shocked that salon chains r outdoin high street banks in popularity now lol... but seriously, can we talk about how crazy our obsession with shiny nails is?! like, i get it, who doesn't love a good gel polish session? but have u heard about the new ban on TPO in the EU?? it's because they found out that ingredient can cause fertility probs and harm babies lol... like, what even is that?!

anywayz, it's def concerning that salon techs are exposed to so many chemicals, especially when they're working long hours getting their nails done . i mean, we wanna look good, but at what cost?! it's great that experts are speaking out about the risks and offering tips on how to stay safe, like using acetate soak-off gels and sunscreen .

for real tho, it's up to us to weigh the pros & cons of regular nail treatments and take care of ourselves . so, let's all just be mindful of our nail game and prioritize our health ‍

i mean, who doesn't love a good gel polish manicure ? but seriously, have you seen the ingredients in some of these stuff? like, tpo is literally banned in the eu because it's toxic... but still, people are all about those shiny nails . and now salons are more popular than bank branches? that's just wild . anyway, i guess it's good to know that some experts are on top of this stuff, recommending safer alternatives like acetate soak-off gels... or should i say, warning us all about the dangers of UV radiation ?

"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln ‍ We need to be aware of what we're putting on our bodies, especially when it comes to beauty products like gel polishes. It's all about finding that balance between looking good and being healthy.

omg u guys i just read about this crazy thing where salon chains r more popular than banks in the UK i know it sounds weird but apparently ppl are OBSESSED with shiny nails anyway, there's some bad news tho - some chemicals used in nail polish r super toxic and can cause fertility problems and harm foetuses like, what even is that?! so now they're trying to ban some of these ingredients, which is a good thing, but it also raises more questions about safety and stuff i mean, should we just ditch our nail polish altogether? no way, right? maybe instead we can just be more aware of what we're putting on our bodies and take precautions like, use safer alternatives, wear gloves, and slather on sunscreen it's all about balance, right?

I mean think about this - we're obsessed with having super shiny nails that last forever but what's really going on beneath all that glamour? It's like we're not even thinking about our own safety, you know? The EU banned TPO because of animal studies showing it could cause fertility problems, which is crazy. And then there's this research about photoinitiators being present in salon dust levels 100 times higher than normal... that's wild. Like, we're not even considering the potential "cocktail effects" from exposure to multiple chemicals at once? It's all a bit too much for me, tbh. But on the other hand, millions of people still get manicures without incident, so I guess it's all about weighing the risks and choosing safer alternatives, like acetate soak-off gels or LED lamps. Just have to be aware of what you're getting into, you know?