Gel Polish Bans: What Salons Need to Know

Discover if gel polish is officially banned, how new regulations affect your salon, and what reformulations keep your services safe and compliant.

Is gel polish banned?

Gel polish is still widely used in the U.S. and UK, but a key ingredient has been banned in the EU. That change affects how you source and stock gel manicure products for clients across different markets. Staying on top of these rules keeps your salon compliant and your clients confident. Why it’s in your services: gel manicures are a top seller thanks to their glossy finish and durability. When you offer the latest cured-gel techniques, you meet client demand for long-lasting colour and shine. If key ingredients get pulled, you’ll need reformulated gels to keep bookings full and avoid regulatory fines. What it actually does: most gel polish relies on a photoinitiator called TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide). Under a UV or LED lamp, TPO sparks a chemical reaction that hardens the polish in seconds, sealing in colour and adding strength to the nail plate. What clients will notice & when: in the EU, salons must stop using TPO-based gels from 1 September 2025; UK salons have until late 2026; U.S. salons are not affected yet. Reformulated, TPO-free gels cure in similar times and feel nearly identical. Clients won’t spot a major difference, but you may need to adjust cure times by a few seconds. How to explain it to clients: “We’ve updated our gel polish to a new TPO-free formula that meets EU safety rules. It cures just as quickly under the lamp and delivers the same glossy finish you love. We’re committed to your nail health and industry standards.” Who should skip or be careful: any client with known sensitivities to acrylates or photoinitiators should opt for as-needed patch tests or consider lacquer or dip powders. Pregnant or breastfeeding clients may prefer traditional polish, as a precaution, until more safety data emerges. Quick takeaways: - EU banned TPO in gel polish from 1 September 2025 to address potential reproductive risks. - UK is expected to follow by late 2026, giving salons time to transition. - U.S. regulations haven’t changed; TPO gels remain legal and available. - Reformulated, TPO-free alternatives cure in similar times with the same glossy durability. - Sensitive clients should still patch test or choose non-gel options. Bottom line: gel polish itself isn’t banned, but the EU has outlawed TPO, so you’ll need TPO-free formulations to keep your salon compliant and your clients happy.