Advances in Dermatology and Allergology
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ISSN: 1642-395X
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii
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2/2026
vol. 43
 
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Review paper

Is hybrid and gel manicure safe? Current stage of knowledge

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

  1. Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Adv Dermatol Allergol 2026; XLIII (2): 120–125
Online publish date: 2026/02/19
Article file
- Is hybrid.pdf  [0.14 MB]
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1. Fedorczak A, Jamroz-Brzeska J. Allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates in long-lasting nail products. Alergia Astma Immunol 2020; 25: 187-91.
2. Cervantes J, Sanchez M, Eber AE, et al. Pterygium inversum unguis secondary to gel polish. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018; 32: 160-3.
3. Gatica-Ortega ME, Pastor-Nieto MA, Mercader-García P, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by (meth)acrylates in long-lasting nail polish - are we facing a new epidemic in the beauty industry? Contact Dermatitis 2017; 77: 360-6.
4. Batory M, Namieciñski P, Rotsztejn H. Evaluation of structural damage and pH of nail plates of hands after applying different methods of decorating. Int J Dermatol 2019; 58: 311-8.
5. Putek J, Przybyla T, Szepietowski JC, et al. Side-effects associated with gel nail polish: a self-questionnaire study of 2,118 respondents. Acta Derm Venereol 2020; 100: adv00325.
6. Borowczyk K, G³owacki R. The influence of UV varnishes on the content of cysteine and methionine in women nail plates-chromatographic studies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22: 12447.
7. Batory M, Wo³owiec-Korecka E, Rotsztejn H. The effect of various primers improving adhesiveness of gel polish hybrids on pH, TOWL and overall nail plates condition. J Cosmet Dermatol 2019; 18: 1529-38.
8. Chen AF, Chimento SM, Hu S, et al. Nail damage from gel polish manicure. J Cosmet Dermatol 2012; 11: 27-9.
9. Hwang S, Kim M, Cho BK, et al. Case of various nail changes induced by gel polish. J Dermatol 2016; 43: 1381-2.
10. Opaliñska S, Opaliñska M, Rudnicka L, et al. Contact eczema induced by hybrid manicure. The role of acrylates as a causative factor. Adv Dermatol Allergol 2022; 39: 768-74.
11. Scheers C, André J, Negulescu M, et al. Recurrent cheilitis and lip oedema caused by (meth)acrylates present in ultraviolet-curable nail lacquer. Contact Dermatitis 2015; 72: 341-2.
12. Milbar HC, Forrestel AK, Rubin AI. Acute paronychia and onychomadesis after a “Russian” manicure: a new, aggressive, and destructive form of manicure for dermatologists to recognize. Skin Appendage Disord 2022; 8: 497-9.
13. Alharbi NM, Alhashim HM. Beauty salons are key potential sources of disease spread. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14: 1247-53.
14. Ordoñez T, Ruf M, Angles V, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail unit after repeated UV nail lamp exposure. A call for action? An Bras Dermatol 2024; 99: 972-4.
15. Ratycz MC, Lender JA, Gottwald LD. Multiple dorsal hand actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinomas: a unique presentation following extensive UV nail lamp use. Case Rep Dermatol 2019; 11: 286-91.
16. Freeman C, Hull C, Sontheimer R, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the dorsal hands and feet after repeated exposure to ultraviolet nail lamps. Dermatol Online J 2020; 26: 13030.
17. Stern DK, Creasey AA, Quijije J, et al. UV-A and UV-B pene­tration of normal human cadaveric fingernail plate. Arch Dermatol 2011; 147: 439-41.
18. Zhivagui M, Hoda A, Valenzuela N, et al. DNA damage and somatic mutations in mammalian cells after irradiation with a nail polish dryer. Nat Commun 2023; 14: 276.
19. S³abicka-Jakubczyk A, Lewandowski M, Pastuszak P, et al. Influence of UV nail lamps radiation on human keratinocytes viability. Sci Rep 2023; 13: 22530.
20. Aguilera J, Bosch RJ, de Gálvez MV. Discussion abounds on the potential carcinogenic risks associated with the use of UV curing lamps for permanent nail polish. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2024; 115: T533-8.
21. Diffey BL. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma in women from exposure to UVA lamps used in cosmetic nail treatment. Br J Dermatol 2012; 167: 1175-8.
22. Glowicz JB, Landon E, Sickbert-Bennett EE, et al. SHEA/IDSA/APIC Practice Recommendation: strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene: 2022 Update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2023; 44: 355-76.
23. Augustin G, Augustin K. Nail polish used by healthcare personnel does not increase the rate of healthcare-associated infections. Infect Control Hospital Epidemiol 2024; 45: 1021-2.
24. Wa³aszek MZ, Ko³pa M, Ró¿añska A, et al. Nail microbial colonization following hand disinfection: a qualitative pilot study. J Hosp Infect 2018; 100: 207-11.
25. Wa³aszek M, Kwapniewska W, Jagiencarz-Starzec B, et al. Effectiveness of hand disinfection depending on the type of nail plate coating – a study among nurses working in a specialist hospital. Med Pr 2021; 72: 29-37.
26. Hewlett AL, Hohenberger H, Murphy CN, et al. Evaluation of the bacterial burden of gel nails, standard nail polish, and natural nails on the hands of health care workers. Am J Infect Control 2018; 46: 1356-9.
27. Arreba P, Iglesias J, Ríos J, et al. Gel nail polish does not have a negative impact on the nail bacterial burden nor on the quality of hand hygiene with an alcohol-based hand rub. J Hosp Infect 2024; 157: 40-4.
28. Anderson SL, Wisnieski L, Achilles SL, et al. The impact of gel fingernail polish application on the reduction of bacterial viability following a surgical hand scrub. Vet Surg 2021; 50: 1525-32.
29. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Registration dossier for Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (TPO) – Reproductive toxicity study in rats [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Aug 11]. Available from: https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/13110/7/9/1
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