Is hybrid and gel manicure safe? Current stage of knowledge

Julia Kamińska; Magdalena Maciejewska; Joanna Czuwara; Lidia Rudnicka

doi:10.5114/ada.2026.160796

eISSN: 2299-0046
ISSN: 1642-395X

Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii

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2/2026
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abstract:

Review paper

Is hybrid and gel manicure safe? Current stage of knowledge

Julia Kamińska

¹

,

Magdalena Maciejewska

¹

,

Joanna Czuwara

¹

,

Lidia Rudnicka

¹

Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland

Adv Dermatol Allergol 2026; XLIII (2): 120–125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2026.160796

Online publish date: 2026/02/19

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Introduction
Hybrid and gel manicures which gain popularity raise concerns about potential health risks.

Aim
This review explores safety and health implications of hybrid and gel manicures.

Methods
A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar following PRISMA guidelines.

Results
Twenty eight studies published between 2011 and 2024 addressed nail plate changes, allergic and non-allergic diseases, UV-related cancer risks, and hand hygiene implications. The most common side effects included nail brittleness and splitting. Allergic contact dermatitis was reported in six publications, while non-allergic conditions included paronychia and pterygium inversum unguis, each reported in one study. Rare cases of squamous cell carcinoma were linked to UV lamps, though most studies suggest minimal cancer risk. One study found that hybrid varnish did not significantly increase microbial presence in the healthcare workers.

Conclusions
UV-cured manicures pose limited health risks. Further research is needed to establish safe application guidelines, UV exposure limits and infection-related considerations.

keywords:

Is hybrid and gel manicure safe? Current stage of knowledge

Julia Kamińska 1 , Magdalena Maciejewska 1 , Joanna Czuwara 1 , Lidia Rudnicka 1

hybrid manicure, gel manicure, UV-induced cancer, acrylate monomers

Julia Kamińska

¹

,

Magdalena Maciejewska

¹

,

Joanna Czuwara

¹

,

Lidia Rudnicka

¹