BEAUTY
Wait, Can You Be Allergic To A Gel Manicure? Here's What To Know
By A. R. HOPKINS
Gel manicures have been around for decades, and they continue to be one of the most popular nail treatments. However, there are some disadvantages to gel nails because they can lead to skin allergies (a.k.a. contact dermatitis) if overexposed to gel nail products.
Contact dermatitis is when the skin develops a response to the application of a topical ingredient, and the results can be red, burning skin, blisters, peeling and cracking skin, or itchy red bumps. Chemicals break down your skin’s barrier and penetrate the skin, resulting in them attaching to white blood cells and threatening your body’s immune system.
Once you’ve experienced contact dermatitis, it can take a long time for your skin to fully heal. There are some safe alternatives such as regular air-dry nail polishes and formulas that are free of methyl acrylate and other allergens; steer clear of acrylic nails as these contain the same chemicals as gel nail products.