?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
How dangerous is it? “The EU banned the gel manicure ingredient TPO not specifically because it is proven to be unsafe for human usage, but as a precaution because of high-dose exposure in animals,” explains Dr. Ava Shamban, MD, a dermatologist at Ava MD and the founder of Althaea Skin.
Dr. Shamban explains that TPO is considered a Category 1B CMR (carcinogen, mutagen, reprotoxic) substance. The way the EU law works is that this means that any products that contain it are automatically banned. Dr. Shamban emphasizes that this is happening despite the fact that scientists have not yet evidenced any data related to risk factors for humans.“TPO is still legal in the US, but this raises a red flag that will certainly also raise interest for the Food and Drug Administration, and presumably, there will be a deeper dive with studies looking for more definitive data. It has been reported that the UK is considering a similar ban, but that is not in effect at this time,” Dr. Shamban says.
In addition to TPO being labeled carcinogenic, there is another potential risk when getting gel manicures: the UV nail dryers. They use the same type of light as tanning beds, which have been directly linked to increasing skin cancer risk. Because of this, Dr. Shamban says she doesn’t recommend using UV nail drying lamps.
Related: 'I'm 61, but My Friends Tell Me My Skin Looks Like I'm in My 40s — Here's My Exact Skincare Routine?
The last health risk Dr. Shamban wants people to be aware of when it comes to gel manicures comes from other ingredients besides TPO. “Gel manicures do have other issues that can arise, including contact dermatitis [an inflammatory skin condition] from ingredients like acrylates. There is also the potential for nail weakening, thinning, peeling and slower growth as well as damage to the nail plate,” she says. These side effects do not increase the risk of cancer, but they are important to be aware of.
Less Risky Manicure Alternatives
If you do plan to continue getting gel manicures but are worried about the UV exposure from the nail dryers, she recommends wearing UPF gloves with the fingertips cut out or applying sunscreen to your hands while getting a gel manicure as a best practice to mitigate exposure.
She also recommends finding safer alternatives to gel polish. “Regular polish can air dry and with newer formulation, there are long-lasting options as well as powder dip, more natural vegan options and a plethora of pretty options in stick-ons, nail strips and other similar extenders,” she says, though she adds that powder dip has its own set of issues, including irritation and damage to the nail bed.
When it comes to manicures, she says they’re a “proceed with caution” habit. “Because of the potential contamination in the condition of a salon, cleanliness of tools as well as the products and the processes, manicures can cause dryness, brittle nails, damage from aggressive cuticle manipulation as well as transferring fungus, bacteria, infection and skin irritation,” she explains.
Up Next:
Related: Is Skin 'Slugging' Good for Mature Skin? A Dermatologist Says Yes—But Do It This Way
Sources:
Ava Shamban, MD, dermatologist at Ava MD and the founder of Althaea SkinTPO in Nail Polish — Questions and Answers. European Commission Safety Assessment of Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide as Used in Cosmetics.Cosmetic Ingredient Review. 2024Use of Tanning Beds and Incidence of Skin Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2012 Assessing the Health Implications of UV/LED Nail Lamp Radiation Exposure During Manicure and Pedicure Procedures: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Dermatology. 2025Ultraviolet Light Gel Manicures: Is There a Risk of Skin Cancer on the Hands and Nails of Young Adults? Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2020Hence then, the article about wait so are gel manicures unsafe here s the deal was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Wait, So Are Gel Manicures Unsafe? Here’s the Deal )
Also on site :