Beyond the Polish: What Your Manicure May Be Telling Your Body

A manicure is meant to be a simple moment of self-care – a splash of colour, a polished finish, a small indulgence. But beneath that glossy surface, a growing body of evidence is suggesting that beauty rituals may carry more than aesthetic value; they may carry ion a risk of irritation, sensitisation and long-term nail injury. A recent comprehensive review found that certain types of manicures—especially gel and acrylic systems—are often linked with adverse dermatologic outcomes including allergic contact dermatitis, nail dystrophy and other nail-bed disorders.

The review analysed 58 published articles spanning 2014 to 2025, focusing on nail-cosmetic use of gels, acrylics and related enhancements. It found that allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was by far the most common complication of gel manicures, appearing in nearly half the articles in that category. For acrylic systems, ACD was reported in about 60 % of the relevant studies. Other common issues: onycholysis (separation of the nail from its bed), pseudo-psoriatic nail changes, worn-down nails, peri-ungual eczema and fungal nail infections.

Particularly noteworthy: at-home manicure kits emerged as a higher-risk scenario. The review found that users of home acrylic or gel kits reported adverse effects earlier, and more frequently, compared with professional salon use. Factors included improper curing (especially with UV or LED lamps), use of inappropriate equipment, skin exposure to uncured monomer, and lack of ventilation or training.

Chemicals involved were repeatedly flagged: acrylates/methacrylates (used in acrylic extensions and gel systems), formaldehyde (in nail hardeners), toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (in older polish formulations) and volatile organic compounds that pose both skin and respiratory risk.

Yet, the story is not entirely alarmist. A recent commentary notes that for many users under typical salon conditions, gel manicure systems remain relatively safe—but the margin for error is narrow. The risks amplify when products are mis-used, application is sloppy or home kits are used without professional guidance.

AI-generated illustrations for editorial concept only.

Sources: Medscape Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology