What is TPO and Why is it Being Banned?

TPO: What It Means for Nail Professionals

You've probably seen the news and heard the buzz: a common ingredient in gel polish, TPO, is being banned in the European Union. This has led to a lot of questions, and maybe even a bit of panic. As your trusted source for professional nail information, we want to clear the air. Let's break down what TPO is, why it's being restricted.

What is TPO and Why is it Being Banned?

TPO, or Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide, is a photoinitiator. In simple terms, it's the ingredient that absorbs the light from your UV/LED lamp and makes your gel polish cure. It's an incredibly effective molecule that has been used for decades to ensure curing. 

However, the European Chemicals Agency has recently reclassified TPO as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant. This classification is based on a study where rats were fed a nearly pure form of TPO (99.32% purity) and showed adverse effects. This led the EU to adopt a precautionary ban on TPO in cosmetic products.

It's important to understand the key difference here: the study involved the ingestion of nearly pure TPO, not the topical application of a product with a very low concentration (typically around 2%) that is then cured and sealed. The decision to remove TPO from cosmetics is a proactive, precautionary measure to eliminate any potential risk, no matter how small.

TPO is Used Beyond Nails

While this ban is a hot topic in our industry, most of the health concerns around TPO actually stem from its use in other industries, such as manufacturing printing inks and industrial adhesives. The decision isn't a reflection of widespread issues with its use in gel polish itself, but rather a move to align with broader chemical safety standards. In fact, TPO is also commonly used in dental adhesives and is still considered safe for use in our mouths!

A 2014 study by the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) found that TPO used in nail products at concentrations up to 5% does not pose a human health risk. This supports the idea that the ban is less about a direct threat from current products and more about a new, stricter regulatory standard.

What is Maskscara doing? 

It's good to know you can still safely use the products you currently have in your salon . At Maskscara we have already anticipated this change and have been working to reformulate our products to be TPO free with alternative ingredients  to ensure that the performance of your favorite gels including their curing time, durability, and high shine will not be compromised.