Dermatologic Conditions Associated With Various Types of Popular Nail Cosmetics: A Systematic Review of Existing...

Enthusiasm for manicures is at a high amongst young populations and has led to a growth in nail cosmetology in the last decade. Reviewing the known nail and cutaneous adverse outcomes associated with manicures can improve counseling for safe usage.

To provide a comprehensive review of cutaneous disorders reported with various types of nail cosmetics, to allow consumers to make informed decisions when choosing a manicure type. In addition, this article promotes cognizance amongst dermatologists of potential causes of dermatologic conditions associated with nail cosmetics.

A literature review of articles from January 2014 to December 2025 was conducted on the PubMed database. A combination including, but not limited to, the following terms was utilized: nails, cosmetics, nail disease, adverse outcomes, or pedicure.

The most common reported adverse outcomes of gel manicures include psoriasiform onychodystrophy, pterygium inversum unguis (PIU), allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), onycholysis, paronychia, pseudo-psoriatic nails, and onychomycosis. The most commonly reported adverse outcomes of acrylic manicures include worn-down nail syndrome, pseudo-psoriatic nails, ACD, onychomycosis, onycholysis, periungual eczema, and pseudo-psoriatic allergic nail dystrophy. Risk factors for adverse outcomes include using ultraviolet (UV) light, at-home manicures, acrylates, and isocyanates.

With the increased popularity of manicures, awareness of adverse outcomes associated with manicure types can improve counseling and management. Inclusion of allergens in the baseline allergy patch testing series and caution for photo-protection in at-risk populations should be encouraged.