Are Gel Manicures Safe? This Chemical is Raising Concerns

If you love the glossy finish and long-lasting look of gel nails, you have wondered, “Are gel manicures safe? A recent move in Europe to ban a common ingredient used in gel polish has sparked fresh debate, leaving most of us in the U.S. with questions about what’s actually on our nails.

The ingredient at the center of the controversy is trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a chemical used to harden gel polish under UV light. 

While the European Union has banned it, citing health risks, TPO is still legal in the United States. That leaves a lot of ladies caught between style and safety.

Experts Question Safety of TPO in Gel Nail Products

The popularity of gel manicures has skyrocketed in the last decade. Unlike traditional polish, gels resist chips, look freshly painted for weeks, and can withstand daily wear and tear. 

Salons typically charge about $35 for a gel manicure, and at-home kits make it even easier to DIY. But with that convenience comes trade-offs. 

Beyond the debate around TPO, regular exposure to UV lamps can also damage skin, and the removal process may weaken nails over time.

The Risks of TPO in Gel Polish

So what are the real gel manicure risks? The European Chemicals Agency classified TPO as “carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction,” which is why it landed on the banned list in Europe. 

In simple terms, regulators believe there is enough concern about potential health impacts to prohibit its use in cosmetics altogether.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., TPO hasn’t been banned. That means most of the gels sold at beauty stores or applied in salons still contain the ingredient. 

While studies continue, the lack of uniform rules across countries has created confusion for those of us who just want our nails to look nice without worrying about hidden health hazards.

Why Gel Manicures Were Banned in Europe

When gel manicures were banned, headlines in Europe sent shockwaves throughout the beauty industry. 

As of September 2025, salons are no longer allowed to use or sell products containing TPO. Brands that once relied on the chemical are being forced to reformulate their products or risk losing customers.

Meanwhile, the U.S. hasn’t moved toward a similar gel polish ban – at least not yet. That means European companies could, in theory, still ship older TPO-based products to American buyers. For now, the onus is on us to do our own label-checking.

What to Do If You’re Concerned

If you’re worried about gel polish TPO, the good news is that some brands are already rolling out TPO-free options. OPI offers its Intelli-Gel™ System, while Aprés Nail and Manucurist also advertise TPO-free lines. Old-fashioned regular nail polish, of course, is a safe fallback.

A few extra steps can also help minimize risks if you’d like to continue getting gel manicures. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen to your hands before using a UV lamp, and limiting how often you get gels to give your nails time to recover. Asking your salon what brands they use can also give you some peace of mind.

Keeping Your Manicures Safer

So, are gel manicures safe? The answer is still evolving. While Europe has banned TPO and raised the alarm about its potential health risks, the U.S. hasn’t taken the same step. 

That means we need to be proactive, whether that’s choosing TPO-free gels, switching to traditional polish, or simply asking more questions at the salon.

Still, our nails should be a source of confidence, not concern. Paying attention to what’s in our favorite polishes can help us enjoy our next manicure without second-guessing what’s happening beneath the shine.

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