Fake nails such as gel polish and gel nails are popular, but can cause serious allergic reactions due to the acrylates they contain. Acrylates, such as HEMA and Di-HEMA, ensure that gel polish and gel nails harden under a UV or LED lamp. Unfortunately, these substances can cause allergies if they come into contact with the skin. Editor's note: This report was originally broadcast on November 25, 2023. Prof. of Dermatology and Allergology Thomas Rustemeyer at the Amsterdam UMC, sees many patients with acrylate allergies due to gel polish and gel nails. Symptoms include redness, flaking and cracks around the nails. Once allergic, you remain sensitive to acrylates. Repeated contact can worsen the reaction. The allergy is caused by uncured acrylates penetrating the skin and activating the immune system. Albert Feilzer of ACTA (Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam) warns that this allergy extends beyond nail products. Acrylates are also used in dental treatments such as fillings and dentures. Allergies can seriously complicate medical procedures. In addition to dentistry, acrylates are present in medical devices such as pacemakers, prostheses, hearing aids and wound dressings. An allergy to gel polish or gel nails can lead to rejection of such agents, with serious consequences. Although EU regulations stipulate that gel polish products must warn of allergies, good information is often lacking. Tests with customer services of stores such as Etos and Douglas show that the risks of acrylate allergy are often concealed. Loes Rikkers of the Arch Academy, a training institute for nail stylists, confirms that acrylate allergies often arise from incorrect application or insufficient curing of gel polish and gel nails. She emphasizes that professional use and careful work minimize the risk. Pink Gellac, the largest player in gel nail polish on the Dutch market, told Kassa that the majority of their range consists of products that are HEMA-free. The substance HEMA is therefore not in them. On its website, Pink Gellac states that it uses HEMA-free products to “ensure that you do not have an allergic reaction, even with prolonged use.” Is this a safe alternative? Unfortunately not. Kassa puts this to Professor Rustemeyer. He explains that in this case, the product does not contain HEMA but a different acrylate, and that you can also become allergic to that acrylate with the same serious consequences. After Kassa put this to Pink Gellac, this sentence was removed from the website. Pink Gellac states that they have never had any complaints of an allergic reaction to their HEMA-free products. Pink Gellac also states: “Of course, the user instructions must be followed for all our products. For example, we always advise you to prevent the gel polish from touching your skin and to choose a lamp that is from the same brand as the polish you are using for optimal curing.” You can read the full response here: https://itsbqkavo9p.b-cdn.net/5dqyc2n... We also asked Etos and Douglas, where we bought gel nail polish sets for home use, for a response. Douglas did not respond. You can read Etos' response, on behalf of the manufacturer in question, here: https://itsbqkavo9p.b-cdn.net/3s1xa69... ― Kassa is the consumer platform of BNNVARA. Problems with insurance companies and banks, but also issues such as laughing gas, fillers, phishing and ransomware are discussed. We handle individual complaints in the Belbus and we regularly test various products & services. Kassa has been around since 1989 and is presented by Amber Kortzorg and Mai Verbij. Every Saturday at 19:15 on NPO 2. Or every Thursday at 16:00 on this channel! The latest consumer news, help articles and the consumer forum Q&A can be found on our website: https://kassa.nl. Also follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram & TikTok: / bnnvarakassa / kassa_bnnvara / bnnvarakassa / bnnvarakassa