Is Gel Polish Bad for Your Nails?

28. Oktober 2025

2 Min. Lesezeit

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Gel nail polishes have become more popular in recent years. However, this rise in popularity has raised questions about whether gel polishes should be used. The impact of permanent polish on nails and health, in general, continues to raise many questions.

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

Gel nail polishes have become more popular in recent years.
What is it made of?
Does gel nail polish ruin your nails?

Für wen das ist

Für alle, die Haut, Nägel, Haare über haut, Schönheit erkunden.

Warum es wichtig ist

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Artikelautor

Dr. Lana

Podologe

What is it made of?

To find out whether gel polish is potentially harmful it’s important to look at the materials in it. There are several materials that can cause health issues:

Toluene (toluol): Solvent that is dangerous if inhaled, can cause kidney, liver, and bile duct problems

Formaldehyde: Negatively affects the immune system, liver, and dries the nail plate

Dibutyl phthalate: Although phthalates protect nail polish from peeling off, but phthalates are harmful to the endocrine system

Nitrocellulose: Needed to form a hard and smooth film on the nails, but irritates the bronchi and in asthmatics can cause an attack

Propylene glycol: preservative, but causes skin irritation

While these sound harmful, the penetration of harmful substances through the nail plate when using gel nail polish is so small that even pregnant women are allowed to use it. The only danger is the inhalation of these substances, which is easy to avoid during application.

Does gel nail polish ruin your nails?

The most common argument against gel nail polish is that it can thin your nails. In fact, this can only happen if the manicurist removes the coating too roughly. The nail polish itself and its composition have nothing to do with it.

Other considerations

The most dangerous aspect is the heat lamp that dries the nails, which is like a tanning bed. The heat lamp can cause skin burns, moles, and even skin cancer if used on a regular basis. In 2009, the journal Dermatology published a study that proved that systematic exposure of the skin to the LED lamp increases the risk of skin cancer.

To use or not to use

Gel nail polish is a great option for a vacation, a festive event, or as a support for a period of growing nails. However, it's not a good idea to wear it all the time. If you do decide to wear it year-round, take a break of 100 days or so every 6 to 8 months. It is during this period that the nail plate is completely renewed.

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