🧪 👩🏻‍🔬 🥼

A calm, factual guide for nail techs — new and experienced

If you’ve been seeing posts, videos, or comments online about a “gel polish ban/TPO ban,” you’re not alone. A lot of nail techs — especially newer ones — have been left feeling worried, confused, or even panicked about what this means for their kits and their businesses. Especially when it cost so much to build one up.

Let’s take a breath together 🤍
This post is here to explain what’s actually happening, why it’s happening, and — most importantly — why you don’t need to worry.

What is actually being banned?

The current changes relate specifically to TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide), a photo-initiator that has historically been used in some gel nail products to help them cure under a gel lamp.

From September 2025, TPO will no longer be permitted for use in cosmetic products placed on the UK and EU market.

This is not a ban on:

• Gel polish as a whole
• Builder gel, BIAB, rubber base, or top coats
• Nail enhancements as a service
• Nail techs or salons

It is a single-ingredient regulatory change, not a shutdown of the industry. Don’t panic.

Why is TPO being removed?

Cosmetic regulations evolve constantly as new scientific data becomes available. TPO has been reviewed under updated safety assessments, and regulators have decided it should no longer be used in cosmetics going forward.

This doesn’t mean:

• Products containing TPO were “dangerous” yesterday or are dangerous today.
• Nail techs have done anything wrong
• Brands were negligent

It simply means standards are being updated, which is normal and expected in a regulated industry, it happens all the time, you just don’t often hear about it as the pro. With my brand Glitter Planet nail Supplies, it’s part of our duty of care and responsibility to keep all products updated and adhering to the regulations.

What does this mean for nail techs right now?

Here’s the reassuring part:

• ✔️ You do not need to stop offering gel services
• ✔️ You do not need to throw everything away (you have time to use up the products)
• ✔️ You are not in trouble
• ✔️ There is no immediate change required today

Brands have a (long) transition period to reformulate and relist products. Lot’s of manufacturers have already moved to TPO-free formulas for the most part with only a few products left to make the change. The majority of Glitter Planet products are now HEMA & TPO Free.

As a nail tech, your responsibility is simply to:

• Buy from compliant, transparent brands
• Use products as instructed
• Keep learning (which you’re already doing by reading this 💜)

That’s it.

What about products already in circulation?

Products placed on the market before the deadline are not suddenly illegal overnight. Regulatory changes focus on new products being placed on the market AFTER the ban date.

This gives brands, suppliers, and educators time to adapt — and they are doing exactly that. At Glitter Planet we have only 1 item left to transition and it’s currently on sale 🥳

If you’re unsure about a product, it’s okay to:

• Ask a brand for clarification

No panic decisions needed. I can speak for my Brand, and we are here to support you 🫶🏻 as I’m sure many others are too.

A note for new nail techs 🤍

If you’re newly qualified or still training, it can feel overwhelming when regulatory conversations start sounding loud or scary online especially because it becomes ALL you see.

Please know this Nail Bestie:

• The nail industry is not collapsing
• You did nothing wrong and are not doing anything wrong if your products currently have TPO in them
• Learning about ingredients and compliance is part of becoming a professional — not a failure

Every established tech you admire and follow has gone through multiple regulatory changes over the years. This is just one of them, and we do tend to hear ALOT More of people opinions on the matter now a days which can be confusing.

The bottom line

• This is an ingredient update, not a gel ban
• The industry has time and systems in place to adapt
• Professional nail techs are not at risk
• Staying informed is enough — fear is not required (you’ve got this)

If you’re ever unsure, seek information from:

• Reputable brands
• Educators who explain calmly
• Official regulatory guidance — not panic posts

You’re doing fine. And the fact you’ve looked up and searched for the info tells me all I need to know. YOUR A BOSS ASS NAIL TECH 💜 that cares about their clients and reputation 🤍

I hope this blog helped settle your mind, and put it at ease even just a little. If you have any questions pop them below and I’ll do my absolute best to respond.

Lorna xox