Safe Use of Gel Polish

Gel polish offers long-lasting shine and strength, keeping your nails looking beautiful and well-groomed for weeks. It’s important to apply gel polish carefully, as incorrect use may cause a reaction to some of the ingredients.

Always choose products that comply with European regulations and use them according to the user instructions.

Use products that comply with EU Regulations

• Avoid products from countries where cosmetic regulations may be less strict.
• As a consumer, don’t use products containing HEMA acrylate.
• Check the label to ensure it doesn’t say “For professional use only”.

Always Follow the User Instructions

• Avoid contact with the skin. If you spill any gel polish, remove it using a Woodstick, Corrector Pen or a wipe with Cleaner.
• Use the lamp from the same brand as the polish – they’re designed to work together so you can be sure the gel cures properly.

Acrylates

Acrylates make the gel polish hard and help it stick to the nail. It’s known that repeated skin contact with acrylates may in some cases cause irritation or, rarely, an allergy – most commonly to HEMA acrylate. Our Pink Gellac range for consumers is 100% free from HEMA acrylates. The acrylates we use carry a much lower risk of allergy compared to gel polish that contains HEMA.

That said, even HEMA-free acrylates can, in rare cases, cause irritation or allergic reactions when gel polish repeatedly touches the skin or cuticle. That’s why it’s important to always apply gel polish carefully and responsibly. Avoid getting it on your skin or cuticles. If it happens, remove it using a Woodstick, Corrector Pen or a wipe with Cleaner. We also recommend using a lamp from the same brand as your polish to ensure proper curing.

Acrylate Allergy

Unfortunately, you can become allergic to almost anything – including acrylates.
If you think you may have an acrylate allergy, speak to your GP. They may refer you to a dermatologist, who can confirm whether you’re allergic and what caused it.
You can also develop an acrylate allergy through other products like cosmetics, glue, ink, medical devices or paint. Once you know what you're allergic to, you can make better product choices.

There have been media reports recently about possible consequences of acrylate allergy – such as not being able to receive medical implants like artificial knees or dental implants. While acrylate allergy can be serious and should always be avoided, the chance of developing one is extremely low. Plus, alternative materials and methods have been developed over the years for people with acrylate allergies who need prosthetics. A group of independent experts we consulted – including an orthopaedic surgeon, a dermatologist, a professor, a dentist/implantologist, a toxicologist, a bone cement manufacturer and a safety assessor – confirmed that even with an acrylate allergy, there are still safe options for receiving implants like artificial hips, knees or dental prostheses (e.g. crowns or bridges).

These experts also question whether acrylate allergies would actually interfere with hip or knee implants. The media stories often lack scientific backing, and these experts say they’ve not seen such cases in practice.

Risks of using non-EU regulated products

At Pink Gellac, we take product safety seriously. Our products fully comply with European regulations and are suitable for home use. This is also monitored by organisations such as the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). We’re also advised by an expert on the safe composition of our products.

Unfortunately, there are still many products on the Dutch market that do not meet EU safety standards for gel polish. These products, which often contain HEMA, are sold online and in well-known stores, even though they are not allowed to be sold to consumers. These products carry a higher risk of causing allergies – which is exactly why they are not approved for consumer sale in the EU.

For more information, check out our frequently asked questions on this topic or visit the Dutch government website for advice on the safe use of gel polish and the importance of choosing consumer-safe products. You can also use the link provided to learn more about the experts we consulted.