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If your feed is full of chatter about the recent gel manicure ban by the European Union, you’re not alone. ICYMI, on May 12, 2025, the European Commission announced that many common gel nail polishes would be banned for cosmetic use and distribution in the EU. Since it officially went into effect earlier this month, gel mani panic has taken social media by storm, with videos going viral on TikTok of some users abandoning gel altogether. But as with many instances of viral beauty alarm, TikTok’s response has made the regulation seem more drastic than it actually is.
First things first: Gel manicures are not banned altogether in Europe. It’s more complicated—and less dramatic—than that. The regulation only targets products containing trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), an ingredient often found in gel polishes which the EU classified as “carcinogenic, mutagenic ,or toxic for reproduction.”
TPO acts as a curing agent or photoinitiator in certain gel polishes, especially top coats. It helps the manicure set into its glossy, no-chip finish when exposed to UV light. This ingredient is not found in regular, air-dry nail polishes, nor is it in every gel polish. It’s also worth noting that cosmetic products containing TPO are not currently banned by the US Food and Drug Administration, and gel polishes that contain it are still perfectly legal to use and sell in the US.
It's natural to feel nervous when a product in your daily routine comes under scrutiny. Last summer TikTok had users convinced sunscreen was toxic and that wearing it was worse for your body than sun exposure (which is, of course, completely false). Other product takedowns have had more legitimate evidence but share a pattern of misrepresentation.
In 2016 lawsuit against the FDA sought to make formaldehyde risks tied to keratin treatments more transparent, sparking major concern over the popular hair smoothing method. But alarmists overlooked the fact that potential harm from formaldehyde, a possible carcinogen, is much greater for hair stylists who regularly give keratin treatments, rather than clients who receive them only a few times a year.
In 2022, when the FDA recalled major dry shampoo brands for “elevated levels of benzene,” people were quick to cancel the product without realizing that benzene is also present in cigarette smoke, gasoline, and sometimes even smoothies. “While it may be theoretically possible to avoid all benzene exposures, it is not doable in everyday life,” Hans Plugge, who specializes in toxicology at Safer Chemical Analytics LLC, told Glamour.
And not to mention, the recent growing concerns around microplastics in our bodies. A study conducted by researchers at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences suggests we all have an alarming concentration of microplastics—tiny pieces of plastic debris, which can come from the breakdown of products we touch everyday—present in our brains. And while that one is probably worth some level of panic, there’s virtually nothing we can do to avoid it.
Whenever there’s a cause for concern, social media tends to sensationalize the story. “A significant part of my job is educating patients about the risks and benefits of any cosmetic treatment,” Gina Maccarone, MD, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon and founder of The Surgeonista, tells Glamour. In her practice, Dr. Maccarone says, she has observed social-media-exacerbated concern about “breast implant illness” and, especially recently, injectables.
Since she’s often performing surgical procedures, Dr. Maccarone appreciates patients who come in with questions and concerns—even if those are initially sparked by misinformation online. The important thing is that the patients are taking steps to inform their fears rather than blindly acting on them, and then proceeding with an individualized approach. “When I became a doctor, I took an oath to do no harm. If a treatment is actively harmful and offers little benefit, I don’t offer it in my practice,” Dr. Maccarone says.
To help ease any of your concerns about gel manicures, we asked medical professionals what you need to know about the ban in the EU—and how to handle beauty fear-mongering on social media.
Are gel nails safe?
Yes, generally gel manicures are safe, but there are risk factors to consider if you’re getting them consistently. “I think the EU’s move reflects increasing concern about long-term risks that come with repeated UV exposure and nail damage,” DrMona Foad, MD, board-certified dermatologist of Mona Dermatology, tells Glamour. “While gel manicures themselves aren’t inherently dangerous, misuse, overuse, or lack of proper protection can cause real problems,” she says.
“My message to patients is not one of fear but of balance: Understand the risks, take precautions, and enjoy gels in moderation—or consider a different method that delivers long-term durability of a without the inherent risks of UV exposure and thinning,” Dr. Foad says.
If you’re taking the right steps to educate and protect yourself, and you still think the benefits your gel manicure—or any scrutinized beauty practice—outweigh the risks, don’t let your panic-prone algorithm bully you out of it. Take it from the expert: “With the right care, you can enjoy the benefits while minimizing the risks.”
What steps can you take to make gel manicures safer?
Experts have pointed out that the studies which informed the EU’s ban were conducted on animals, not humans. The study also found that reproductive risks associated with TPO rely on it being ingested—a difficult thing to do once your gel manicure is cured.
Dr. Foad maintains that the biggest risks associated with gel manicures are still the most obvious ones: weakened nails from improper application or removal techniques, and UV exposure. “Concentrated UVA light [has been] linked to premature aging and DNA damage in the skin, even if the exposure is brief,” Dr. Foad says.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to mitigate damage. Dr. Foad recommends applying a broad spectrum SPF lotion to at least partially protect your hands–or, if you’re really committed, investing in fingerless UV protectant gloves—before exposing them to UV light. You should also ensure that sterile manicure tools are used, and avoid peeling your gel manicure off at all costs to preserve your natural nails’ integrity.
Even with protective measures in place, a 100% harmless gel manicure simply does not exist. And that’s okay. “I always tell patients that if you love gels, you don’t necessarily need to give them up, but they might not be the best long-term option,” Dr. Foad says.
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.
