Gel nail polish is a The classic beauty It lasts for millions of people without tips for weeks, maintaining its gloss throughout work, training and everything in between.
However, as of September 1, 2025, european union According to a press release, it bans chemicals used in many gel polishes, causing concerns and uncertainties about the safety of nail salons.
The component in question is trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO). This compound reacts under UV light to quickly cure the polish and create a glass-like finish.
This decision appears to come from several studies linking TPO exposure to fertility issues.
These studies often focused on animal subjects rather than humans, but the EU uses a strict “better than regret” approach when it comes to cosmetics.
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Regulators have reclassified the TPO as a Category 1B CMR substance. Causes cancer Or reproductive damage. Under EU law, it caused an automatic ban.
As a result, both the marketing and use of cosmetics, including TPOs (including professional settings such as nail salons) are strictly prohibited.
The main difference between GEL and regular polish is the application process. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s not just the compounds people need to watch.
“The two products usually look identical, but you just have to wait for the regular nail polish to dry on its own, while the gel nail polish will quickly dry under a special UV or LED lamp in 60-90 seconds,” reads the site.
During the manicure, these lamps will help you set up gel manicure and dry polish. But they also emit linked UV rays Skin cancer The above source stated.
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These rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage collagen. However, studies have shown that the relationship between nail salon lamps and cancer appears to be weak or inconclusive.
EU salons should immediately stop using TPO products, even if they are in stock before the deadline, the release states.
Technically, even old bottles of polish containing TPO are not legal after September 1st. The ban only applies to the EU for now.
However, the good news for customers is that gel nails have not disappeared.
Industry reports show that the brand has already been reformulated with alternative ingredients such as TPO-L, BAPO and methylbenzoyl formers.
