The United Kingdom (UK) has just banned gel nails! Okay, that is not entirely true, but that is certainly the fear going around among manicure and nail enthusiasts after the recent news about gel nail polish came out of the country. The UK has recently put a ban on a particular type of gel nail polish, citing medical concerns.
This has once again put the spotlight on gel nails, which have previously come under scrutiny over cancer-related concerns. In India too, this ban is worth taking note of, especially given how popular gel nails have become.
Gel manicures have steadily become one of India’s favourite little indulgences, with Instagram serving up a rotating gallery of glossy, chip-proof, salon-fresh nails.
However, before you cancel your next appointment, it is worth understanding what the ban is actually about.
What Has The UK Banned?
First, the misconception that gel manicures, gel nails or gel nail polish have been banned in the UK needs to be cleared up. What the UK has actually banned is an ingredient called TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide).
The thing is, this is actually a key ingredient for gel nail polish, a photoinitiator used in UV- and LED-cured nail products that helps make the varnish durable and the colour last longer.
It became a beauty-industry staple precisely because it’s efficient: it can absorb light across a wide spectrum and triggers a fast chemical reaction that locks the polish in place.
The ingredient was banned in cosmetic products by the European Union (EU) on September 1, 2025; however, the UK ban, which covers Great Britain – England, Scotland and Wales – came into effect on August 15, 2026.
This means that manufacturers are not allowed to sell any new products that contain TPO; however, salons have been allowed to use their current stock of TPO-containing products until February 14, 2027.
The reason it has been banned is that various EU studies found it to be toxic, with the potential to cause fertility issues and affect reproductive health.
Caroline Rainsford, director of science at The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said: “The reason why TPO has been banned in cosmetic products in the EU is based on its hazardous properties, meaning how a substance might behave under a ‘worst case’ situation when our bodies are exposed to a very large amount.”
She did add, though, that “The amount of this ingredient used in nail products is over a thousand times less than the amount which could have any negative effect on fertility and these products are applied to the nail, so the potential for the ingredient to be absorbed into our bodies is even smaller.”
However, the UK government, as a precautionary measure based on ‘sufficient scientific evidence’ of a ‘potential risk to human health’, decided to ban this ingredient.
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Dermatologist Hannah Kopelman, MD, also reportedly said, “The direct link between occasional consumer use and infertility in humans hasn’t been proven. The science is still emerging so while the risk appears theoretical rather than clearly established, repeated exposure in salon workers, for example, may be more concerning.”
The Popularity In India
While the ingredient has been banned in the EU and the UK, products being sold in the US, Australia and Asia still contain it.
That is significant, given how the nail market in the country is going at the moment. According to IMARC Group’s market analysis, India’s overall nail polish market was valued at roughly $605 million in 2025 and is projected to nearly double to $1.1 billion by 2034.
Estimates vary widely, though. According to another report by Grand View Research, “The nail polish market in India is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 3,051.7 million by 2033.”
The report also found that “UV Gel Nail Polish is the most lucrative type segment registering the fastest growth during the forecast period.”
The popularity of gels and other long-lasting formulas is also because Indian consumers prioritise durability and low-maintenance manicures over traditional polish.
A separate India nail care market report values the broader category – polish, treatments, tools and salon services combined — at roughly $793 million in 2025, projected to climb past $1.49 billion by 2034.
Dedicated nail bars built around gel nail extensions have also sprung up, while many popular salons now offer long-lasting UV gel overlays and manicures across major metros as well as tier-2 cities.
There has also been a surge in at-home kits sold on e-commerce platforms, along with a rise in dedicated nail care brands.
So, the recent ban by the UK on TPO does bring up the question: what ingredients are actually being used in the products applied at Indian nail salons, and whether they are monitored by Indian regulations at all?
While TPO might not pose an immediate danger, it is not the only concern raised about gel nail products. Perhaps more pressing than the fertility question are the allergic reactions and skin sensitisation that dermatologists and experts have long flagged, caused by the chemical ingredients found in gel products.
Cosmetic science writer Michelle Wong, in a 2024 column for Lab Muffin Beauty Science, explained that “Acrylics, gels and dips all use acrylate monomers as the building blocks. After the product is cured, the monomers are joined into a large chain which doesn’t get into your skin easily, so it isn’t a big problem. But when the monomers aren’t joined up, they can get into your skin.”
She added, “You can develop an allergy if you’re exposed to the monomers enough, and further exposure can cause swelling, blisters, itching, and rashes. These can occur around your nails, as well as places you touch with your nails, like your eyelids and face.”
Dr Deepa Krishnamurthy, Consultant Dermatologist, Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur, Bangalore, told The Indian Express in a 2023 report that “Gel manicures may result in the nails becoming brittle, along with peeling and cracking. Additionally, frequent use of gel manicures could potentially raise the risk of developing skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin on the hands.”
Dr Kisalay Saurav Jha, Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, cautioned that “Additionally, the gel preparation contains methacrylate and benzoyl peroxide as chemicals. These may cause skin allergy, sensitivity, and irritation after application. Also, the UV/LED exposure may cause sunburn, tanning and premature ageing of the skin, and in rare cases, skin cancer.”
Indian consumers should use this development to become better aware of what products they are applying, or letting others apply, on their skin.
Since there is still little transparency about which ingredients are being used, and about the composition and processing of various products, it falls on the consumer to ask the right questions to ensure their own safety.
A good rule of thumb is to simply ask the salon whether their products are TPO-free; if they don’t know, ask to see the product packaging or ingredient list. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, such as:
- What brand of gel polish are you using?
- Is the gel being cured according to the manufacturer’s instructions?
- Is uncured gel getting onto the skin around the nail?
- How is the gel being removed?
- Are the products properly labelled and traceable?
Asking these questions doesn’t mean you need to give up gel manicures. It will simply make you more aware of what is going on your skin – and let businesses know that their customers cannot be fooled.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Independent, Deccan Herald, CNBC TV18
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: UK gel nail ban, UK gel polish ban, UK gel manicure ban, UK tpo gel nail ban, TPO, TPO ban, TPO gel nail polish, gel nail manicure, gel nail polish, gel nails, gel polish, manicure, nail extensions
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