The glossy finish of a well-groomed manicure belies a more complicated reality behind the chemicals used in popular beauty treatments. The European Union has banned Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), an ingredient commonly found in gel polish, after animal studies suggested it could harm fertility or a developing fetus.
As the ban is expected to be implemented in the UK next year, many are left wondering how safe these popular beauty treatments truly are. While there's no straightforward answer, it's clear that salon workers, exposed to photoinitiators like TPO on a daily basis, are at a higher risk of being affected by them.
According to researchers, TPO levels in dust are 100 times higher than in typical indoor environments, and chemicals on technicians' hands are roughly 200 times higher than the general population. This raises concerns about "cocktail effects" from simultaneous exposure to multiple photoinitiators, which may be riskier than any single chemical alone.
The risk doesn't stop at salon workers. A study found that TPO was deliberately left off the ingredients list when a manufacturer requested a TPO-free material, despite testing proving it was still present. This highlights inconsistencies in product labeling and manufacturing practices.
For those who enjoy regular manicures without incident, the main downsides are often weak or damaged natural nails. Removing gels and acrylics can strip away keratin layers, which give nails their shape and strength, leading to brittle and unsightly nails over time. Leaving false nails on for too long also creates a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.
To reduce these risks, experts recommend choosing salons with trained technicians using LED lamps instead of traditional UV ones. Wearing cotton gloves or sunscreen can also provide protection from UV radiation. Skipping cuticle maintenance and giving your nails breaks between treatments can help prevent fungal and bacterial infections.
While it's unlikely that the ban on TPO will completely eliminate these risks, being aware of them is crucial for maintaining healthy nails and skin. As one dermatologist put it, "You should be asking some important questions: are your technicians trained in doing gel nails? Are your lamps new? Are they maintained?" By taking a cautious approach to beauty treatments, individuals can minimize their exposure to potential hazards and enjoy the benefits of well-groomed nails without compromising their health.
As the ban is expected to be implemented in the UK next year, many are left wondering how safe these popular beauty treatments truly are. While there's no straightforward answer, it's clear that salon workers, exposed to photoinitiators like TPO on a daily basis, are at a higher risk of being affected by them.
According to researchers, TPO levels in dust are 100 times higher than in typical indoor environments, and chemicals on technicians' hands are roughly 200 times higher than the general population. This raises concerns about "cocktail effects" from simultaneous exposure to multiple photoinitiators, which may be riskier than any single chemical alone.
The risk doesn't stop at salon workers. A study found that TPO was deliberately left off the ingredients list when a manufacturer requested a TPO-free material, despite testing proving it was still present. This highlights inconsistencies in product labeling and manufacturing practices.
For those who enjoy regular manicures without incident, the main downsides are often weak or damaged natural nails. Removing gels and acrylics can strip away keratin layers, which give nails their shape and strength, leading to brittle and unsightly nails over time. Leaving false nails on for too long also creates a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.
To reduce these risks, experts recommend choosing salons with trained technicians using LED lamps instead of traditional UV ones. Wearing cotton gloves or sunscreen can also provide protection from UV radiation. Skipping cuticle maintenance and giving your nails breaks between treatments can help prevent fungal and bacterial infections.
While it's unlikely that the ban on TPO will completely eliminate these risks, being aware of them is crucial for maintaining healthy nails and skin. As one dermatologist put it, "You should be asking some important questions: are your technicians trained in doing gel nails? Are your lamps new? Are they maintained?" By taking a cautious approach to beauty treatments, individuals can minimize their exposure to potential hazards and enjoy the benefits of well-groomed nails without compromising their health.
just found out that EU is banning TPO in gel polish & I'm low-key freaking out 
like we always thought it was safe but turns out it's been messing with fertility & fetus development? 
and don't even get me started on salon workers being exposed to it daily... 100 times higher than normal indoor dust levels?!?!? 
that's straight up scary. anyway, so it looks like we need to be more mindful of what we're getting done at the salon & ask questions about techs & lamp maintenance 
. and btw, those poor nails after gel removal are just like, SO not cool 
gotta take care of ourselves, you feel? 
. Like, salon workers are literally sitting under UV lamps all day, it's just crazy to think about the cumulative effect on their health... and now we know TPO is out? Good on the EU for taking action! 
Still, can't help but wonder how many people have been exposed to these chemicals without even realizing it... nail salon safety should be a bigger deal than it is 
. Like, salon workers are basically being exposed to these toxic chemicals on a daily basis? It's not exactly rocket science to figure out that they might be at risk of fertility issues or whatever. And don't even get me started on the inconsistencies in product labeling... seriously, can't manufacturers just get it together? 
At least now we know to ask some questions and take precautions... that's a start, right?
. I mean, who knew gel polish could be so toxic? 
. And wearing cotton gloves or sunscreen can definitely help protect us from UV radiation. 
. My nails may not be as Instagram-perfect as everyone else's, but they're healthy and strong! 
but now I'm gonna start asking more questions at the salon 
also, can you even get good gel polish without TPO? it's always been a bit of a gamble for me with weak or damaged natural nails 
Anyway, I guess being mindful of our nail game isn't a bad idea... using LED lamps, wearing gloves, skipping cuticle maintenance... all good stuff! 
... I mean, I love a good manicure as much as the next person, but have you guys ever stopped to think about what's really going on behind that glossy finish? 
. I mean, who knew gel polish was putting our fertility at risk? Like, I get it, we want to look good, but not at the cost of our bodies, right? 
. and btw, have u seen those fancy salons that r over £50 for a basic manicure? no thanks 
, it's good to be aware of the risks and take steps to minimize exposure. Choosing salons with trained technicians using LED lamps is a no-brainer, but I wish more people would take their nail care seriously enough to wear cotton gloves or use sunscreen during treatments 
. I mean, I get my gel polish changed every now and then and it's always been fine... but hearing that there are risks involved makes me want to be more careful about where I go for my manicures 
It's time to take responsibility and demand better from our beauty experts 
.
. But seriously, 100 times higher levels of dust and chemicals on their hands? That's wild 
. And what about those inconsistencies in product labeling? It's like, manufacturers are literally leaving out ingredients they know can be hazardous...no thanks! 
. I guess what I'm trying to say is, we need to be way more mindful about the beauty treatments we choose and how they're made 
. Choose salons with trained technicians who use LED lamps instead of UV ones, wear cotton gloves or sunscreen, and don't be afraid to ask questions! 
And it's crazy that manufacturers would just leave out ingredients without testing them properly... that's like, not cool at all