Dr. Sharrón Manuel was recently featured in Everyday Health in an article written by Erica Sweeney titled “Is Your Gel Manicure Toxic?”

Gel manicures are a popular choice at nail salons due to their durability, glossy finish, and resistance to chipping. The European Union recently announced a ban on a key ingredient that helps deliver these benefits: trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, commonly known as TPO. However, gel nail polishes containing TPO are still available in the United States, raising concerns among people about potential health risks.

Currently, there are no large-scale human studies on the health effects of TPO, says Sharrón L. Manuel, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at HRC Fertility in Pasadena, California. “The primary concern comes from high-dose animal studies where TPO was orally administered to rats, causing adverse reproductive effects,” she explains. “Female rats showed signs of complete infertility, while male rats experienced reduced testes [testicle] size and sperm counts.” Dr. Manuel states, “We don’t have enough data yet to be extremely worried, but we also don’t have enough data to support the safety of the use of gel nail polish containing TPO in humans.” If you’re actively trying to conceive or you’re in your first trimester of pregnancy, when fetal development is critical, Manuel suggests limiting your exposure or avoiding TPO if possible.

To learn more, read the full article here.