Published: 11:29 BST, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 15:20 BST, 15 August 2026
Nail technicians in the UK will face strict restrictions on the use of gel polishes containing toxic TPO from today.
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) is an ingredient that helps gel nail polish to harden under UV light.
But behind the glossy finish lies a more sinister reality. Gel manicures could be costing women their fertility.
From September last year, sales and use of the chemical was banned in the EU, after it was classed as a 'reproductive toxin'.
Now, UK manufacturers will be banned from placing any new products containing TPO on the market.
Following this ban, nail technicians will not be able to buy any products containing TPO after February 14, 2027.
However, they will still be allowed to use any products they have already purchased after this date.
Retailers will also be banned from selling any at-home gel manicure kits that contain the toxic ingredient.
UK manufactures can no loner place any new products containing TPO on the market
'TPO has been banned in cosmetic products based on its hazardous properties, meaning how a substance might behave under a worst case situation, when our bodies are exposed to a very large amount,' Caroline Rainsford, the director of science at the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association, said.
So how safe is a gel manicure and what can you do to protect yourself?
Firstly, an important distinction to make is that the TPO ban does not outlaw gel manicures, only polishes containing the toxic ingredient, with many salons already opting for TPO-free polishes.
The EU made the call to ban TPO following animal studies which found that rats repeatedly fed high doses of the toxin resulted in significant fertility issues.
And it's believed that TPO could pose a potential risk to humans, as an endocrine disruptor, which interferes with the body's hormones.
