Do Gel Manicures Ruin Your Nails? Let's Talk About What's Really Happening

Gel manicures aren’t automatically bad for your nails, but the way they’re applied, worn, and removed can absolutely take a toll over time. If your nails feel thinner, weaker, or peel like a bad sunburn after removal, you’re not imagining it. The damage usually isn’t about gel polish being toxic or “ruining” your nails overnight. It’s about repetition, technique, and how much recovery time your nails are actually getting.

Gel manicures are everywhere for a reason. They’re glossy, long-lasting, and make you feel instantly pulled together. For a lot of us, they’re a regular part of our self-care routine, not an occasional treat. So when your nails suddenly start breaking, bending, or refusing to grow, it can feel confusing and, honestly, a little unfair.

Let’s break down what’s really going on beneath that shiny topcoat. We’ll look at how gel manicures can damage nails when things go wrong, who’s more likely to experience problems, what recent ingredient bans actually mean, and how to keep your nails healthy if you’re not ready to give up gel entirely. No fear-mongering. No nail shaming. Just the real deal, so you can decide what works best for your nails and your life

Are gel manicures bad for your nails? Here's the real deal

There’s nothing quite like the confidence boost of a fresh gel manicure… until it’s time for removal and your nails look like they’ve been through a war. For many women, including myself, a fresh gel manicure each month is non-negotiable. But as brittle, thin, peeling nails are becoming more pronounced as time passes, I have begun to wonder: Is gel actually bad for my nails?

Emily McCarty, Account Executive at Rescripted, used to be just like me: a new manicure every 3-4 weeks, with gradually declining nail health, until one day her nails hit rock bottom. She had peeled off her most recent set herself and was waiting for her nails to grow back out. And they wouldn’t. “Instead of just growing out and going back to normal, they kept breaking off to the point where I had, like, no nails.”

Her nails continued to be extremely thin and brittle, and she could not get them to grow out to a normal length for months. Then, when her nails started to separate from the nail bed, she decided it was time to see a dermatologist. Her dermatologist told her that her nails wouldn’t attach to the nail bed because of all the damage that they had undergone from UV during the process of getting her beautiful manicures.

Gel manicures aren’t inherently evil, but the application and removal processes can be problematic and detrimental to nail health. Damage typically comes from improper application, aggressive removal, or overuse, rather than the gel itself.

Some people are more susceptible to damage from gel manicures than others. Some people just naturally have thinner, more brittle nails, and gel manicures are likely to exacerbate those qualities. People with certain skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis, are more likely to experience irritation from gel manicures. Some people can also develop allergies to ingredients in gel products. Additionally, some people are more sensitive to UV/LED exposure. People with photosensitivity, autoimmune conditions, or a history of skin cancer may be advised to avoid gel lamps.

Individual nail health, prep work, and aftercare play huge roles in nail health when it comes to gel manicures. Healthy nails tolerate gel better; proper prep should be minimal and gentle, and aftercare determines how nails recover between sets.

In general, occasional gel manicures with proper care are fine for most people. It is often when manicures are frequent and back-to-back that problems can start to arise.

How gel manicures can damage your nails (when things go wrong)

According to Dr. Allison Leer, dermatologist, the most damaging part of gel manicures isn’t the polish itself, but the surface prep and removal process. “When prepping the nails, electric files are often used to improve adhesion of the gel. This makes nails prone to breakage and bending and reduces nail thickness over time.”

There are, however, some ingredients in the gel polish itself that can cause damage when used frequently. “The acrylates used in gel formulas can also impact the nail plate when wearing gel manicures consistently,” Dr. Leer explains, “But the application and removal process are more damaging.”

Gel manicures can also dehydrate the nail bed and surrounding skin, but this is mostly process-related and usually temporary. Prep steps use alcohol, acetone, and nail dehydrators to remove oils so that the gel adheres to the nail. Acetone soak-off during removal further dehydrates the nails and cuticles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Repeated gel wear without breaks doesn’t allow time for natural oils and moisture to rebalance, which is part of the reason why people who frequently get gel manicures may notice their natural nails becoming dry and brittle.

If removal is done improperly, there is a potential for nail bed separation, or onycholysis, like what Emily experienced. Peeling or picking off gel removes layers of the nail plate along with polish. It can also lift the nail plate away from the nail bed. This is usually temporary and will begin to resolve itself as the nail grows out once its cause has been removed.

Allergic reactions or sensitivities to gel polish can develop over time, according to research published in Clinics in Dermatology in 2022, which is why someone may suddenly start experiencing issues after years of using gel without any problems. Gel polishes contain acrylates and methacrylates, which are well-known sensitizers. This means that with repeated exposure, the immune system will become sensitized gradually, not all at once. Once sensitized, the body “remembers” the allergen, and reactions will often become faster and more severe. This is why allergies to gel polish often appear months or years into regular gel use, and less commonly after the first manicure.

Nails will often break, bend, or peel more easily after gel removal because the nail plate has temporarily lost strength and structure. There are a few reasons why this happens related to the application and removal process:

• Thinning from prep and removal: Repeated over-buffing removes protective layers of the nail plate. Peeling or aggressive scraping during removal physically strips keratin.
• Dehydration: Prep solutions and acetone strip natural oils, making nails drier and more brittle.

The European ban on gel nail polish: What you need to know

First off, let’s be clear: Europe has not banned all gel polish. Effective September 1, 2025, the EU has banned 1 common ingredient in gel polishes: TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide). TPO was recently classified as a CMR 1B substance, meaning that it is suspected of being harmful to reproduction. Another common gel polish ingredient, HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), was restricted to professional use in the EU in 2021 due to sensitization risks. According to Dr. Leer, these ingredients are more strongly linked to allergic reactions than to direct nail plate damage; however, an allergic reaction to these chemicals can interfere with healthy nail growth.

This ban doesn’t mean that gel polishes are universally dangerous, but it highlights the need for safer formulations. The beauty industry is responding to these bans with reformulated products that do not include HEMA and TPO, and many view these reformulations as safer options.

These bans and regulations don’t exist in the US at the time of writing, but the EU bans and restrictions have made gel polish users in the US more conscious of the risks. Additionally, many gel polish brands sell their products in both the EU and the US, meaning we may see a broader wave of retail reformulation behind the scenes.

What this means for your mani routine

If you are worried about potential risks and allergic reactions associated with TPO and HEMA, there are many European-compliant options with HEMA- and TPO-free formulas. Some popular brands include Kiara Sky, Aprés, and MelodySusie.

It could also be a good idea to ask your nail tech about the products that they’re using, and whether they have any options that are TPO- and HEMA-free.

These regulations are evolving to protect consumers, which is a good thing. Growing numbers of reports of allergic reactions and animal testing have revealed that products like these may be harmful, but many brands are beginning to shift towards safer formulas.

Can gel manicures ruin your nails? The long-term impact

Most nail damage from gel manicures is temporary, and nails can recover with time away from gel and proper care. Permanent issues are rare, but possible.

When gel is used continuously without giving nails time to breathe and repair themselves, the structural integrity of the nail plate is compromised. Changes to nails are gradual and cumulative, but the results can be severe. Over time, repeated buffing for prep and removal shaves off layers of the nail plate, resulting in thinner, weaker, and more flexible nails, which are more prone to splitting.

At each appointment, nails are stripped of their natural oils. Without recovery time, nails stay in a state of dehydration, which leads to peeling, brittleness, and rough texture. Both of these increase the risk of nail lifting because weakened nails flex under gel, causing small areas of lifting. Water and debris can seep underneath, worsening the damage, and in some cases, this can progress to onycholysis (nail-bed separation), as Emily experienced.

In most cases, the timeline for nail recovery is around 3-6 months after stopping gel manicures, but it can be longer depending on how severe the damage is and how fast a person’s nails grow. This is because nails can’t “heal” themselves; they can only grow out. Toenails generally take much longer, around 12-18 months. Regularly applying cuticle oil during this time can speed up progress.

In addition to nail health, there are some skin health concerns related to cumulative UV exposure. A single gel manicure delivers a low dose of UVA, which penetrates deep into the skin. For most people, occasional gel manicures won’t significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, but frequent, long-term exposure over the years adds up. The main UV-related risks involve the skin on the hands, not the nails themselves. Risks include:

• Photoaging: Wrinkles, thinning skin, and age spots on the back of the hands
• Pigmentation: Dark spots or uneven tone, which is more noticeable in people with fairer skin or people prone to hyperpigmentation
• Skin cancer: Very rare, but there are reports of squamous cell carcinoma on the hands of frequent gel users

Most nail damage from gel is reversible with proper care and breaks from gel manicures. Permanent damage is extremely rare.

How to keep your nails healthy if you love gel manicures

If you love gel manicures, it is important to find a skilled, reputable nail technician who understands proper application and removal techniques for gel manicures.

If you wear gel regularly (every 2-3 weeks), it is recommended you take a break of a minimum of 2 weeks every 8-12 weeks. If your nails feel weak, peel, or bend, take a break immediately for 3-4 weeks, or until new healthy nail growth is visible at the base of the nail.

Never peel or pick off your gel manicure, as this is much more damaging to your nails than a proper soak-off removal.

Try nail strengthening treatments in between appointments, like a daily cuticle oil.

Nutrition and hydration are also important when it comes to nail health. Make sure you are getting enough protein, iron, zinc, biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E to support your nail health, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also, make sure to be drinking enough water to support overall nail growth. Proper nutrition and hydration can fix any damage that has already occurred, but can help ensure that new nails grow in stronger and healthier.

During gel breaks, at-home nail care is what determines how fast and how well your nails will recover. Daily cuticle oil is a non-negotiable for replacing lipids stripped by gel prep and acetone. Jojoba-based oils tend to absorb the best, according to a 2021 review for MDPI. Keep your nails short and rounded and use a fine-grit glass or crystal file only.

Signs your nails need a break from gel

Some red flags to look out for are excessive peeling, brittleness, discoloration, pain, or nail separation. If you notice any of these signs after having a gel manicure removed, it is important to take a break immediately. Depending on how severe the damage is, the length of the break will vary, but you generally want to wait at least until you can see new healthy growth at the base of the nail. If your nail has separated, you will want to wait for full regrowth before trying a gel manicure again. Things like peeling and cracking may seem like cosmetic concerns, but can quickly turn into real health concerns like nail-bed separation if they are not addressed. Listen to your body and nails, and remember: strong and healthy nails are always more beautiful than perfect polish.

Gel manicures and your nail health

Gel manicures are generally safe in moderation, and proper technique and self-awareness are crucial when it comes to nail health. Know what goes into your gel manicure, and how the polish and process are affecting your nails. Everyone’s body is different: some nails tolerate gel polish differently than others, so general guidelines may not work for everybody. Pay attention to what your nails and body are telling you when you are deciding whether it may be time for a break from gel. Your beauty choices are yours and yours alone, but prioritizing nail health should be an important consideration.