No, Gel Manicures Aren’t Cancelling Out Your Health

Beauty Salon | Nails

The Buzz: TPO Ban—What’s Going On?

The European Union has enacted a sweeping ban on TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide)—a photoinitiator historically used in gel nail products—effective September 1, 2025. This move stems from its classification as a Category 1B CMR (possibly carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction), mainly based on high-dose animal studies. (InStyle, El País, People.com)

In response, several beauty brands have swiftly reformulated their products to be TPO-free, and the industry is moving toward safer alternatives. (Allure, People.com, Real Simple)

Understanding Risk vs. Regulation: Why the Ban?

Here’s the truth: the ban wasn’t triggered by reports of harm from gel manicures themselves. Rather, EU regulators applied the “precautionary principle”, reacting to TPO’s worst-case hazard classification—even though actual human exposure through nail application is minimal to non-existent. (ProNails, Allure, Snopes, El País)

In fact, detailed toxicological analysis by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) in 2014 found TPO to be safe for professional nail use—even up to 5% concentration—under realistic salon conditions. That’s because:

• TPO is fully consumed during curing, turning solid or becoming harmless byproducts and staying locked in the gel. (ProNails, Snopes)
• Residual amounts, if any, are less than 0.1%, often trapped under adhesive layers, and nails remain virtually impermeable to systemic absorption. (ProNails, Snopes)

So the actual risk to clients or technicians was—and remains—extremely low. (NBC10 Philadelphia, Allure, Real Simple)

What Aura Skincare & Our Partners (like Bio-Sculpture and EVO) Are Doing

• Our products have always been TPO-free. EVO, Bio-Sculpture, and most of our trusted brands never contained TPO to begin with—so your safety was never in question.
• We use LED curing lamps, not UV. LED systems cure gel quickly and safely with no UV radiation, meaning clients spend even less time under light. (NBC10 Philadelphia, ABC News, Allure)
• Rest assured: gel manicures remain safe when done professionally using TPO-free products and LED curing technology.

Quick Summary: What You Need to Know Right Now

Keep Calm and Glow On

• The TPO ban in the EU is regulatory precaution, not a reaction to nail-related harm.
• Your gel manicure is safe with us, as we've always used TPO-free formulas and LED lamps.
• If you ever feel uneasy or have questions, just ask! We’re here to inform, reassure, and keep your beauty routine glowing — safely.