Archive · 22 Aug 2026
UK TPO Gel Nail Phaseout Raises Indian Safety Questions
TPO is a chemical that helps gel nail polish become hard under a special UV or LED lamp.
Great Britain has stopped new cosmetics containing TPO from being sold.
Salons can continue using some existing products during a transition period, with further restrictions in February 2027.
The European Union prohibited TPO in cosmetics in September 2025.
Regulators classified it as a chemical that may harm reproduction based on experimental evidence.
Some studies found effects such as reduced sperm counts and changes to reproductive systems.
These studies do not show that an occasional gel manicure causes infertility in people.
Nail technicians may have more exposure because they use these products repeatedly.
Doctors suggest choosing TPO-free products and paying attention to allergies caused by other nail chemicals.
Great Britain has stopped new TPO-containing cosmetics from entering the market, while existing products face further restrictions by February 2027.
TPO is a photoinitiator that helps gel nail products harden under UV or LED light.
The European Union prohibited TPO in cosmetics from September 1, 2025, after classifying it as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant.
Animal and toxicological studies reported reproductive effects, but they do not prove that occasional gel manicures cause infertility in humans.
Doctors recommend TPO-free alternatives and stronger safety precautions, particularly for nail technicians and people trying to conceive.
- Who
- Great Britain and European Union regulators, Indian consumers and salons, nail technicians, and fertility specialists Dr Ruchi Jain and Dr Navina Singh.
- What
- Great Britain is phasing out TPO-containing gel nail products, prompting debate over whether India should review or restrict the chemical.
- When
- The European Union prohibition began September 1, 2025; further Great Britain restrictions take effect in February 2027.
- Where
- The restrictions apply to Great Britain and the European Union, while the regulatory question concerns India.
- Why
- TPO was classified as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant, and safer alternatives are available.
Precautionary Regulation
No Blanket Fertility Scare
Whether India should restrict TPO
Precautionary Regulation
India should review or restrict TPO because it has been internationally classified as a reproductive toxicant and safer alternatives are available.
No Blanket Fertility Scare
A blanket ban on gel manicures is not justified by the available evidence because studies do not establish that ordinary consumer use causes infertility.
Advice for consumers
Precautionary Regulation
People who are pregnant, trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment should reduce avoidable exposure by choosing TPO-free products.
No Blanket Fertility Scare
People should not assume that every gel manicure causes fertility problems, since exposure from a properly applied product may be much lower than in experimental studies.
Main exposure concern
Precautionary Regulation
Repeated occupational exposure among nail technicians warrants safer formulations, workplace precautions and stronger oversight.
No Blanket Fertility Scare
Risk depends on factors including product choice, ventilation, handling practices and skin contact, so the restrictions should be understood as a chemical-safety measure rather than proof that every manicure is dangerous.
- Chemical
- Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, also identified as Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide.
- Purpose
- A photoinitiator that starts the curing reaction that hardens gel products under UV or LED light.
- Great Britain policy
- New cosmetic products containing TPO can no longer be placed on the market in England, Scotland and Wales.
- Transition
- Products already legally placed on the market may remain in circulation during the transition, with further restrictions in February 2027.
- European Union policy
- TPO has been prohibited in cosmetics since September 1, 2025.
- Evidence
- Reproductive-toxicity concerns come primarily from controlled toxicological and animal studies, not proof of infertility from ordinary manicures.
- Other health concern
- Acrylates and methacrylates in gel systems can cause allergic contact dermatitis.
- India
- The articles state that India has no equivalent prohibition on TPO in gel nail products.
