You’re next nail appointment won’t be affected at KAM

You may have seen headlines about nail products being banned in the UK and EU. Understandably, that might leave you wondering what it means for your next manicure. Let’s clear up the confusion with the facts.

👉 Read more industry coverage here https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/tpo-banned-in-eu-nail-products

What is TPO and Why Is It Banned?
TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is a chemical that helps gel polish cure under UV or LED light. It’s been safely used in cosmetics for over 20 years.

From 1 September 2025, the EU banned the sale of cosmetic products containing TPO. However:

This applies only to EU countries.
The UK has not banned TPO. Regulators here may review it in the future, possibly around the end of 2026, but no decisions have been made yet.
The ban stems from animal studies where rats were fed extremely large amounts of TPO over long periods. These conditions have nothing to do with how nail products are used in salons.

Why the Concern Feels Familiar
This isn’t the first time nail professionals have faced unnecessary alarm. Remember the headlines linking UV/LED lamps to skin cancer?

Here’s what testing actually showed:

Professional nail lamps emit only UV-A rays.
Scientists simulated salon use (hands in a lamp for 10 minutes, twice a month).
The UV exposure equated to just two minutes of natural sunlight per day.
In other words, the real-world risk was minimal—just like with TPO.

What the Ban Really Means
The EU ban is a precautionary measure, not a reaction to proven risks in nail services. Under EU cosmetic law, certain substances (called CMRs) can’t be used unless strict exemptions are granted. In TPO’s case, regulators didn’t allow an exemption, partly because other alternatives exist.

For clients and nail professionals, here’s what matters most:

No safety crisis – when applied correctly, TPO-containing gels have shown a solid safety record.
UK unaffected (for now) – your favourite treatments remain available.
Kam uses both The Gel Bottle and CND Shellac products. Both these companies have been taking measures to ensure their products comply with these regulations. https://thegelbottle.com/blog/tpo-explained-everything-you-need-to-know/

✨ Bottom line: The TPO ban is about regulatory caution, not proven danger. Your manicures remain safe, professional, and just as gorgeous as ever.