FAQ

• Gel polish is made from acrylates. An acrylate consists of various small particles called molecules, which act as building blocks. When you apply the gel polish and cure it under a LED lamp, these building blocks bond together to form a solid layer. This ensures the polish lasts long and resists damage.
• An allergy to acrylates can only develop through repeated skin contact with the liquid polish. This could happen if the gel polish is accidentally applied to the skin or if the polish isn’t properly cured, such as when using a lamp that doesn’t work effectively. If this happens frequently and the acrylates enter your body through skin contact, it’s possible to develop an allergy over time.
• It’s important to note that not all acrylates pose the same risk—there are fortunately acrylates with a minimal risk of causing an allergy.

To explain this clearly, we’ll start with a brief chemistry lesson.

The molecular structure of the acrylate determines the risk of developing an allergy. However, this risk only applies with frequent skin contact.

The molecular structure is defined by three factors: the size, reactivity, and skin permeability of the molecule—terms you don’t hear every day, so we’ll break them down.

1. Size of the molecule: Think of it as using a sieve to search for shells at the beach. Sand passes through, while shells and stones stay in the sieve. Molecules work similarly with skin: the larger the molecule, the less likely it is to penetrate the skin and enter your body.
2. Reactivity of the molecule: This determines whether your body will react by producing antibodies. Molecules with complex or "foreign" structures trigger a stronger reaction, while simpler and more familiar molecules often don’t alert your immune system (and therefore don’t cause antibodies).
3. Skin permeability of the molecule: This relates to the molecule’s properties. Think of the difference between a greasy cream and water; water doesn’t penetrate the skin as easily as a nourishing day cream. The properties of molecules determine how easily they can penetrate the skin. Ideally, you want acrylates with a lower chance of penetrating the skin if contact occur

Before discussing Pink Gellac’s formula, we need to address HEMA acrylates, as most allergy-related reports focus on them.

• The most common gel nail polish allergy is to HEMA or DI-HEMA acrylates. These substances were often used in gel nail polish due to their excellent adhesion properties.
• Today, these substances are only allowed for use by nail professionals because repeated skin contact could lead to allergies. Professionals can still use them as they’re trained to apply gel nail polish without touching the skin. When applied correctly, even products with HEMA acrylates don’t pose a risk of allergies because they can’t enter the body through the nail.

Since Pink Gellac is also sold for at-home use, where users might accidentally get liquid polish on their skin, our range is entirely free of HEMA and DI-HEMA. These acrylates have been replaced in our formula.

We were very surprised by this claim and asked Kassa to provide evidence for their statements. We received 14 documents, which we carefully reviewed.

However, none of these documents contained factual evidence to support their claim.

Yes, our formula contains Isobornyl Methacrylate, and it’s true that there have been cases of allergies to this acrylate among diabetes patients.

However, these allergies are not caused by gel nail polish but rather by the presence of Isobornyl Methacrylate in the adhesive used in plasters for glucose monitors or insulin pumps worn by diabetes patients.

The exposure in these cases is entirely different from gel nail polish.

Fortunately, Europe has strict cosmetics regulations that clearly prescribe which substances require a warning on product labels. This is determined based on the risk profiles of these substances, along with the way the product is used. A substance might cause reactions in a day cream but not in a hair dye.

In theory, you could be allergic to almost any cosmetic product, but fortunately, the risks for the majority of cosmetic products are so low that the European Cosmetics Regulation does not mandate warnings in these cases. This also applies to the substances used by Pink Gellac.

Furthermore, all cosmetics must undergo a mandatory safety assessment before they can legally be sold. A specialized assessor in this area determines whether additional warnings are necessary, beyond the minimum legal requirements.

We fully comply with all the regulations set by the European Commission and the recommendations of the safety assessor.

• Purchase products that comply with European laws and regulations. Check the product label for a European address.
• Avoid skin contact and clean your skin immediately if you spill.
• Use the recommended LED lamp for the product to ensure proper curing.
• Read and carefully follow the instructions for use.

And always feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We’re here for you - 7 days a week via our customer service or in one of our 13 Colour Boutiques.