What You Need to Know About the TPO Ban and Your Gel Nails

Understanding the Recent TPO Ban in Nail Products

You may have seen the recent news about TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) – a chemical ingredient that has now been banned in the EU. As always, at Melanie Richards Hair & Beauty Salon, Peterborough, your safety and wellbeing are our top priority, so we want to explain what this means for you and reassure you about the products we use.

What is TPO?

TPO is a photoinitiator – an ingredient that helps gel polish cure and harden under UV or LED light. It’s been widely used in gel nail products for years because of its effectiveness.

Why is it being banned?

The EU has banned TPO as a precautionary measure. In scientific testing, TPO was shown to have potentially harmful effects when consumed in very large amounts by animals.

Based on these studies, it has been classified as a CMR substance (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic). This means it could carry a risk of cancer, genetic changes, or reproductive issues in certain circumstances. Importantly, this classification is based on laboratory testing – not on any reported cases of harm in humans from nail services.

What does this mean for your nail treatments?

The ban does not mean gel nails are unsafe. It is simply a step taken by regulators to ensure long-term safety. At Melanie Richards, we already ensure that all of the products we use for nail services are completely TPO-free.

We want every client to feel relaxed and confident when visiting our salon. That’s why we only choose trusted, professional brands that meet strict EU and UK safety regulations. If you have any questions or concerns about the products we use, please don’t hesitate to chat with a member of our team – we’re always happy to help.

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