Are Gel Manicures Bad For Nails? The Experts Weigh In

What is in gel polish? Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, a Miami-based acupuncturist and nutritionist, suggests that gel manicures are dangerous for many reasons. "They contain formaldehyde, xylene toluene, and other toxic chemicals that go through our liver," says Dr. Trattner. "These chemicals enter our system via breathing them and our skin. These chemicals are bioaccumulative, which means they stay in our system."