Is hybrid and gel manicure safe? Current stage of knowledge

Hybrid and gel manicures which gain popularity raise concerns about potential health risks.

This review explores safety and health implications of hybrid and gel manicures.

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar following PRISMA guidelines.

Twenty eight studies published between 2011 and 2024 addressed nail plate changes, allergic and non-allergic diseases, UV-related cancer risks, and hand hygiene implications. The most common side effects included nail brittleness and splitting. Allergic contact dermatitis was reported in six publications, while non-allergic conditions included paronychia and pterygium inversum unguis, each reported in one study. Rare cases of squamous cell carcinoma were linked to UV lamps, though most studies suggest minimal cancer risk. One study found that hybrid varnish did not significantly increase microbial presence in the healthcare workers.

UV-cured manicures pose limited health risks. Further research is needed to establish safe application guidelines, UV exposure limits and infection-related considerations.