Should you be worried about your gel nails?
Dermatologists have revealed they are treating people for allergic reactions to acrylic and gel nails "most weeks". This has led to the government starting an investigation into people developing life-changing allergies - with reports of nails loosening or falling off, skin rashes or, in rarer cases, breathing difficulties - due to the use of some gel nail products.
Worryingly, the allergies can leave sufferers unable to have medical treatments like white dental fillings, joint replacement surgery and some diabetes medications as the body will no longer tolerate anything containing acrylates.
What is a gel manicure?Gel manicures use a gel-based polish and a UV or LED light to cure the polish and lock it onto the nails. They are derived from (meth)acrylates that can be applied over the natural nail or used to sculpt extensions. The gel needs to be 'cured' or hardened under a UV (ultraviolet) lamp. It cannot be removed by soaking and must be buffed off from the nail. Salon chains say that between 70% and 90% of their manicures now involve gels rather than traditional kinds of nail lacquer or false acrylic nails.
The British Association Of Dermatologists have put out a warning?The British Association Of Dermatologists (BAD) has reiterated its warning regarding allergic reactions linked to artificial nails following a number of high-profile reports. If the product isn't cured sufficiently, this can increase the risk of someone developing an allergy.
What adverse reactions are people having to gel nail manicures?The chemicals in gel products known as methacrylate can cause an allergic reaction where the nails loosen and the skin develops a severe, itchy rash. This causes a delayed immune response in the skin. You can get an eczema like reaction which can present in different ways. It doesn't always happen immediately or at the site where the gel nails have been applied. It's a lot more common with Beauticians and hairdressers because they are dealing with these issues day in and day out."
Experts say allergic reactions can be 'life changing'?:In rare cases, people have developed an allergy to methacrylates which means they cannot undergo medical procedures that use those chemicals. This includes joint replacement surgery, certain dental fillings and some diabetes treatments.
Can the UV light also be harmful?Some experts have suggested that there could be a link between UV lights used for gel nails and skin cancer - but this is still up for debate.
Are home gel manicures more risky?There are concerns that the closure of nail salons during the pandemic may be contributing to more people switching to at-home kits which can be riskier, due to the lack of experience the public has with these products. However there is an element of risk whether you do it professionally or at home.
What should someone do if they have an allergic reaction?See your dermatologist if you can, stop using gel nails and strip back to the basics of what you are exposing your skin and nails to. Cetraben and Cerave are very good but if it's really back your dermatologist may give you a topical treatment cream. If you see a dermatologist, they may refer you to have a patch test where you put all ingredients causing allergies onto the skin for three days - that's the only definitive way to confirm that you have got that reactivity.