Additional reactions include detached nails, or onycholysis, lesions under the nail plate, and weak, brittle nails. The most common side effect is painful, itchy eczematous dermatitis. People using at-home nail kits often have longer periods of contact with irritants in nail products. The products in home kits are not tightly regulated, and people do not have the proper training to apply them safely.

Interestingly, at-home gel polish kits may pose a higher risk than professional salon manicures. In most cases, the condition resolved within a few weeks of switching from gel to standard nail polish. This condition causes the hyponychium - the area where the fingertip meets the nail - to attach to the nail plate. It found a link to pterygium inversum unguis (PIU). Nail damage was more likely to occur during the removal process - participants reported weakened nails, splitting, white spots, grooves, and changes to the nail plate.Ī 2020 study examined the effects of prolonged exposure to UV light and gel polish.

It has the potential to cause damage, especially if people use it often.Īccording to a large survey of 2,118 people who used gel nails, some individuals experienced itchiness, swelling, and burning during application. However, gel polish can be harsh on nails. Gel nail polishes are durable, glossy, and chip-resistant. Share on Pinterest mikroman6/Getty Images