Does Gel Nail Polish Cause Cancer? What Does Science Say?

ContributorsProf. Dr. Mustafa ÖzdoğanAuthor · Medical review · Editorial approval

PublishedSep 16, 2025

UpdatedOct 17, 2026

3 min read

Does Gel Nail Polish Cause Cancer? What Does Science Say?

In this article

TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) — What Is It, and Is It Safe?

What is TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide)?

TPO is an initiator used in UV/LED-hardened (cured) products.
It is most commonly found in gel nails, certain dental composites and 3D printing/dental resins .
Its role is to absorb light and initiate polymerization — in other words, to harden the product.

‘Does TPO cause cancer?’

Current scientific datado not show, for TPO, strong evidence that it causes cancer .
Most standard ‘does it damage DNA?’ tests have returned negative/clear results.
However, for TPO, long-term cancer studies (large animal experiments lasting years) have not been published.

So why was it banned in the European Union? A hazard-based approach

For cosmetics, the EU applies a ‘hazard-based’ rule:
- If a substance is classified as ‘may harm reproductive health (Reproductive Toxicity 1B)’ , it is automatically banned in cosmetics.
TPO received this classification because animal studies showed, at high doses, effects on male reproductive organs (e.g., changes in the testes).
Consequently, in the EU, from 1 September 2025, cosmetic products containing TPO are banned from sale and use.
In summary: The ban was due to the reproductive-toxicity classification, not cancer .

How Does Exposure Occur in Daily Life?

Customers

Exposure in people getting gel nails is generally very low; if the product is cured correctly, absorption through the nail plate is limited.

Professionals

Incompletely cured product, dust (filing) and solvent vapors may cause repeated exposure .
Risk management is more important here.

Practical Recommendations for Safe Use

For customers:

If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, choose TPO-free gel systems.
Make sure the application site uses the correct device and adequate curing time .
Excess product in contact with the skin should be wiped away immediately.

For professionals:

Stocks containing TPO, within the EU, must not be used/sold (1 September 2025 onward).
Use dust control (local extraction), gloves/goggles/masks, good ventilation .
Spills should be cleaned immediately; surfaces should be regularly decontaminated .
Where possible, switch to TPO-free alternative systems.

Are There Alternatives?

One of the most frequently mentioned alternatives is TPO-L (ethyl… phenylphosphinate).
It works at similar wavelengths and does not currently carry the same stringent reproductive-toxicity classification as TPO.
Still, ‘alternative’ does not mean ‘entirely risk-free’; for every product, correct curing, ventilation and personal protection matter.

The Situation in Turkey

Turkey’s cosmetics legislation is largely aligned with the EU .
Implementation of the EU ban in Turkey should be monitored through TİTCK announcements and ÜTS .
Practitioners (hairdressers/beauty salons) should update their inventories accordingly.

Brief Summary

TPO = a UV initiator used in gel nails.
No strong evidence that it causes cancer.
Because of reproductive-health risks (animal data), the EU banned TPO in cosmetics (1 September 2025).
Customers face a low risk; professionals should pay attention to occupational hygiene.
TPO-L and other alternatives are available; in every case, correct curing + protective equipment are essential.

Sources

European Commission. “TPO in nail products — Questions & Answers.” 07.08.2025. Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/tpo-nail-products-questions-answers_en

Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877. Amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (addition of TPO to the list of prohibited substances). Yürürlük: 01.09.2025. Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/877/oj

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/197. Harmonised classification & labelling under CLP (TPO: Repr. 1B). Uygulama: 01.09.2025. Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2024/197/oj

SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety). “Opinion on Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) — SCCS/1528/14.” 2014. Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_149.pdf

Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). “Safety Assessment of Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO).” 2025. Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Trimethylbenzoyl_Diphenylphosphine_Oxide.pdf

Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). “Summary Literature Review — Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO).” 2024. Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/SLR_TrimethylbenzoylDiphenylphosphineOxide_122024.pdf

Shen J, et al. “Exposure assessment of photoinitiators in nail salon dust …” 2024. (Mesleki ortamda fotobaşlatıcı maruziyeti; tahmini yutma maruziyeti ≈ 4.86 ng/kg/gün). Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38880048/

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). “Gel manicures: dermatologists share tips to keep nails healthy.” Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/gel-manicures-dermatologists-share-tips-to-keep-nails-healthy

Harvard Health Publishing. “Safety of LED nail lamps.” Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/safety-of-led-nail-lamps

Mieriņa I, et al. “Photoinitiators and UV-curable systems: chemistry and applications.” 2025 (derleme). Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12073227/

Murdan S. “Drug delivery to the nail: permeability and formulation approaches” (derleme). 2002. Erişim: 16.09.2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11891066/

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Does Gel Nail Polish Cause Cancer? What Does Science Say?

TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) — What Is It, and Is It Safe?

What is TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide)?

‘Does TPO cause cancer?’

So why was it banned in the European Union? A hazard-based approach