Is your manicure safe? Prohibited chemical of nail rooms for health hazards
NEWNow you can listen to News articles!
Gel manicures are a basic beauty element for millions, lasting weeks without fries and remain bright through work, training and everything else.
But as of September 1, 2025, the European Union has banned a chemical used in many gel enamels, which caused security and uncertainty concerns for nail rooms, according to a press release.
The ingredient in question is trimethylbenzoil oxide defilphosphine (TPO). This compound reacts under UV light so that the enamel is quickly hardening and gives it a glass finish.
As of September 1, 2025, the European Union has banned a chemist used in many gel enamels, generating security and uncertainty concerns for nail rooms. (Istock)
The decision seems to come from several studies that link TPO exposure to fertility problems.
These studies often focused on animal subjects, not on humans, but the EU uses a strict “better sure to regret” approach when it comes to cosmetics.
Plastic water bottle that remains in a hot car? Think twice before drinking from him
Regulators reclassified TPO as a CMR substance of category 1b, which means that it can cause cancer or reproductive damage. According to EU’s law, that triggered an automatic prohibition.
As a result, both marketing and the use of cosmetic products containing TPO, even in professional environments such as nail rooms, are strictly prohibited.
Gel vs. regular Polish
The key difference between the gel and the regular Polish is the application process, and they are not only the compounds that people must see, according to Cleveland Clinic.
“The two products are usually identical, but although it simply waits for it to dry by itself … Gel nail polish in a UV or LED lamp specialized in 60 to 90 seconds,” says the site.
The trimethylbenzoil oxide ingredient defilphosphine (TPO) reacts under UV light to make the enamel hardly harden and give it a glass finish. (Istock)
During a manicure, these lamps help establish manicures in gel and dry enamel. However, they also emit ultraviolet rays, which have been related to skin cancer and premature aging, according to the previous source.
Click here to register in our health newsletter
These rays deeply penetrate the skin and damage the collagen. However, studies have shown that the connection between nail and cancer lamps seems weak or non -conclusive.
Click here to get the News application
The salons in the EU must stop using the TPO products, even if they are supplied before the deadline, according to the launch.
The studies have shown that the connection between the lamps of the nail and cancer seems weak or non -conclusive. (Istock)
Technically, even the old Polish bottles containing TPO are not legal after September 1. The ban only applies in the EU for now.
More in health news
However, the good news for customers is that gel nails will not disappear.
According to industry reports, brands are already reformulating with alternative ingredients such as TPO-L, Bapo and Methyl Benzoil.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a variety of stories issues that include food and drink, travel and health.