May I ask why people say it's unsafe to use a DIY gel nail kit at home?

[Namechange4044]

Someone mentioned this on a chat thread a while back - I'm not sure if different brands/machines have different effects, but I'm confused why some say they're unsafe, yet getting them done in a salon is considered safer?

I've got a gel nail kit still in its box that I want to have a go with.. but this is stressing me out as I don't understand what the problem could be? Is it something I can mitigate by wearing gloves or something?

I think the issue is that the at home lamp someone might have may not be compatible with the particular gel they use, thus increasing the chance of an allergy developing. Whereas in a salon the technician is more likely to have compatible kit.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65273991

I have a Mylee LED gel lamp if it makes a difference, as opposed to a UV lamp?

It's the risk of developing contact dermatitis and this can have severe knock-on effects which mean you're also allergic to other things (e.g. an anaesthetic as part of a hospital procedure).

Essentially, home users are more likely to leave small bits of the gel in contact with their skin and then cure it, which increases the risk. Professionals are trained and have experience in making sure the gel only touches the nail plate and not the cuticle or surrounding skin.

Yes, it's important to only use the polishes that are the right brand for your lamp, home users are more likely to mix and match. Also it's important to keep it all off your skin, again professionals are better at avoiding that.

So if using gel on the nail bed only, and ensuring the brand is compatible, then the risks are no higher than using a salon?

Thanks everyone.

I use Green Flash by Manicurist which is much more natural than the other brands (Sensationail, Mylee etc) which I developed an allergy to (thanks perimenopause!). The lamp isn’t UV just LED light. I recommend it but it doesn’t last as long as the ones with potent chemicals.

I suspect it does deliver light on the UV spectrum, LED is just a different type of light bulb.

A lot of it is to do with the curing time, making sure they are cured for long enough.

However, don't forget the sunscreen or UV gloves. Even the LED lamps can cause some damage long term. I now put sunscreen on my hands before I go to the salon.

Probably for the same reason they say D.I.Y hair dyes shouldn't be done at home; less money to the salon!
They wouldn't be available to purchase if they were dangerous the UK is quite strict with these types of things.

This is irrelevant. However 'strict' they may be, they can't stop you slopping it all over your skin then using the wrong lamp to incompletely cure it.

Very curious to know how you’re going to do your own nails while wearing gloves 😁

Th thing is it's not just an allergy to something you can avoid. It's an allergy to a product that up is used in fillings, and in some medical procedures.

They wouldn't be available to purchase if they were dangerous the UK is quite strict with these types of things

LOL. Have you heard of cigarettes? 50% everyone who smokes dies of a smoking-related illness.

Worked in nail industry for over 20 years

Allergies usually come from methacrylates, which some people are sensitive to
Doesn't mean the polishes are dangerous, just different people are allergic to different things and need to avoid - same as loads of food and beauty products)

Use a polish without HEMA or di-HEMA in to help avoid this

Sensationail has just been reformulated to not include this - there was something on their social media recently

Avoid cheap generic polishes from eBay or Amazon - they often don't meet EU standards regarding hydroquinone levels

Saying that, I know of 2 big brands that have been reverse tested in an independent lab and the ingredients are not what they say on the bottle!

If you are worried about breathing in chemicals, at home is a lot safer than a salon (not rocket science - but 20 mins once a fortnight in a well ventilated room vs chemicals being used 8 hours a day, 6 days a week with multiple users in one room...)

Use LED lamp rather than UV - less time under the lamp

If you get any reaction, remove immediately

That would be difficult for sure!! They have the tips cut out of them 😂

I’ve heard this too but for the 3 or 4 times a year I do my nails I’m hardly going to stress about it. I have the Mylee lamp and use Mylee polishes.

This is naive. Just because something is on sale, doesn’t make it safe.

A lot of it is to do with gel polishes not being cured properly and/or getting it on the skin, or too thin a nail plate where it can seep through to the nail bed. The nail plate is made up of layers and they are generally quite hard at the top but as you thin it (possibly from overfiling or scraping when removing) then it becomes soft and spongy. That’s generally when the allergies arise.

And if you don’t use a system that has a specific lamp, you cannot guarantee it will cure fully. Hard doesn’t necessarily mean cured.

Also, as above, LEDs are just a different type of bulb but it’s still UV light.

I bought fingerless gloves on Amazon, uv blocking. They are quite long.

I actually think this will be a long term health issue - excess UV on your hands. But there doesn't seem to be any way to measure the uv strength.

Plus most people think because it says led it isn't UV. It is!

There have been some issues with people using g polishes and developing sensitivities/allergies to methacrylate, this allergy then means you cannot have sone medical procedures or you become allergic/sensitive to things like fillings in your teeth (amongst other things) with potentially no alternatives

My friend developed an allergic reaction but she always went to a salon to have her gel nails done.

My daughter and I have been doing our own gel nails at home for about 5 years now (every 2 weeks or so) and neither of us have had any bad reactions or side effects 😕

The plural of anecdote is not data.