Are gel nails linked to infertility?

The UK has introduced restrictions on a chemical used in some gel nail products.  The move has raised concerns among women about whether gel manicures can harm health or cause infertility.

However experts say the situation is more specific than many headlines suggest.

The chemical is called Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO).  It is used in some gel nail polishes to help them harden quickly under UV or LED lamps.

The UK has not banned gel manicures themselves. Instead new cosmetic products containing TPO cannot be sold under the new rules.

Stricter restrictions are expected to come into effect in February 2027.

What is the concern about TPO?

According to reports Dr. Ruchi Jain, a fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility in Kolkata explained that the main concern is TPO not gel nail polish itself.

TPO has been classified as a possible reproductive toxin. Studies on animals have linked high exposure to the chemical with reduced sperm levels and fertility problems in males while some effects on the female reproductive system have also been reported.

However this does not mean that every woman who gets a gel manicure will become infertile.

Experts point out that people getting occasional manicures are exposed to much smaller amounts of the chemical than the amounts used in laboratory studies. Therefore animal research cannot be directly applied to  normal salon use.

Dr. Jain said there is currently no evidence that occasional gel nail use causes infertility in humans.

Who may face greater exposure?

People who work in nail salons may have more regular contact with these chemicals.

Nail technicians may be exposed repeatedly while applying shaping and removing gel products. For them experts recommend good ventilation, protective gloves and safer products.

Gel nails can also cause skin allergies

TPO is not the only concern with gel nail products.  Some products contain acrylates and methacrylates which can cause allergic reactions.

Possible symptoms include.

•Redness and severe itching around the nails

•Swollen or painful fingers

•Cracked or peeling skin

•Blisters

•Allergic reactions spreading to the hands face or neck

Experts say people should stop using a product if they develop a reaction and seek medical advice when needed.

What does the ban mean?

The European Union banned TPO in September 2025, and the UK has now followed with similar  restrictions.

The purpose of these rules is to reduce possible health risks from TPO. They do not mean that all gel manicures are unsafe or that occasional gel nail use causes infertility.

The key message is simple the concern is about a specific chemical and repeated exposure not gel manicures themselves.