14 April 2023 , 11:31
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Dermatologists have warned of the dark side of using gel nail polish – it turns out it's not just a pretty beauty trend but can have a devastating effect if it triggers allergies.
Experts are starting to see a surge in the number of people developing "life-changing" allergies which are caused by gel nail polishes leaking into the skin.
They have warned that the chemicals in gel products, known as methacrylates, can cause a terrifying allergic reaction where the nails loosen and the skin develops a severe, itchy rash.
Having a severe reaction to the chemical could stop someone from having routine procedures like cataracts, joint replacement or dental work.
It's the curing process that can be dangerous (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)At-home gel manicures have become more widespread as people strive to save money, but dermatologists are urging Brits to only have the manicure done from a fully-trained professional. The experts have warned that although at-home gel kits are the main culprit, reactions can also happen if the technicians are poorly trained.
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Dr Deirdre Buckley, a consultant dermatologist in Bath, explained the symptoms to BBC's Today Programme: "It can range from the nails loosening to falling off, it can include a severe rash on the face, the neck, the upper chest.
"People can have trouble breathing or asthma can be worsened."
Other symptoms to look out for are swollen lips, sores on fingers or red, swollen cuticles.
Methacrylate is a key ingredient in these procedures, and during gel manicures it can enter the skin when the ultraviolet lamp, which is used to harden the layers of polish, is not used for long enough, or the equipment is poor.
Experts are warning against at-home gel manicures (stock image) (Getty Images)Dr Buckley explained: "Once the body has reacted to the chemical, you can't have any medical procedures where methacrylates are used, such as dental casts and implants.
"Even worse than they can become sensitive to acrylates in other things, which can have implications in dentistry or if they're diabetic or for orthopaedic surgery and it's a lifelong sensitisation."
In a survey of 742 people who had attended dermatology clinics, 16% had experienced a severe reaction to a salon gel polish treatment.
British Association of Dermatologists told MailOnline: "We originally sounded the alarm on this issue in 2018, but it's not a problem that's gone away.
"In fact, it's likely that the closure of nail salons during the pandemic contributed to a rise in people using at-home kits, which are a problem if you use them incorrectly."