Beautiful Without the Burn: Healthy Nails with Hema-Free Gel Polish

No one wants to have an allergic reaction to nail polish. Unfortunately, acrylics and gels often have an ingredient called HEMA (Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate or 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate). It makes the color stick to the nail and resist chipping. Dentists and doctors use components with HEMA to fill teeth cavities and replace joints because it’s easy to work with and durable. But HEMA, even though it’s so useful, can cause intense allergic reactions. And once someone develops an allergy to it, it affects more than just the next manicure. It also affects their ability to get fillings, joint replacements, and even take certain types of diabetes medications.

 The good news is that gel polish doesn’t need HEMA at all. You can still enjoy a shiny, lasting, perfect finish with HEMA-free gel polish. More brands are catching on to this idea and are dropping this monomer from their formulas.

In this article, we’ll explain what happens if someone is allergic to HEMA. Then, we’ll cover how to protect yourself from HEMA and find HEMA-free gel polish for a safe and beautiful manicure.

What Happens When You’re Exposed to Hema?

Most people can tolerate infrequent contact with low concentrations of HEMA. The problem is that no one ever knows until it’s too late that they’re allergic. It’s best to avoid HEMA altogether.

HEMA is a small molecule that slips right through protective gloves after a few minutes, especially when it’s combined with acetone. As you might imagine, this chemical can also penetrate skin and the nail plate. Then the skin reacts with eczema-like symptoms: redness, itching, swelling, blisters, a rash, or the skin peeling. Sometimes the whole body gets involved with an anaphylactic reaction with flushing, irregular heart rate, and trouble breathing. (If you experience heart and breathing issues or difficulty swallowing, get emergency medical attention).

The first time you have contact dermatitis from HEMA won’t be the last if you’re exposed again. It’s likely that each subsequent exposure will be worse. And being allergic to HEMA might turn into being allergic to other acrylates in other nail, cosmetic, medical, and dental products.

How Can You Protect Yourself from Hema?

Obviously, the best course of action is to use only HEMA-free products. Gel polish brands that have cut HEMA out of their formulas are advertising this benefit. They know it’s a selling point.

Or try these ideas:

1. If you can’t avoid HEMA, we recommend wearing high-quality gloves when doing gel or acrylic nails. (Wise nail techs also know that even the dust from filing HEMA-containing gels and acrylics can be harmful so they mask up or use a vacuum to reduce it).
2. What about Di-HEMA? While OPI removed both HEMA and Di-HEMA from their new Intelli-Gel collection, it might be safer than the original monomer simply because it’s a larger molecule. That means it’s less likely to penetrate gloves, skin, or nails.
3. Companies that have not removed HEMA may try to fudge the ingredients list with generic terms like “acrylates copolymer”. The only way to be sure is to read the safety data sheets (SDS or MSDS) for the product. A clued-in Redditor added that anyone can search for the CAS# number on the SDS sheet to verify the specific component.
4. Only use HEMA-free gels from trustworthy companies. We list three safe gel brands below to get you started.
5. How you apply a product with HEMA can lower the risk of an allergic reaction. Only put gel polish on healthy nails. Follow the instructions especially when it comes to what lamp you need and how long the curing times are. Also, use thin coats. If the HEMA-containing gel is polymerized correctly under the UV light, it’s unlikely to absorb into the skin or nails.

Time to skip to the good part! Let’s explore three top HEMA-free gel polish brands.

Hema-Free Gel Polish Brands

LDS Hema-Free Gel Polish

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LDS is already known for 9-free healthy lacquers that avoid scary chemicals. Now they have HEMA-free gel colors, too! There are more than 170 shades in various finishes including glitter and shimmer.

All the healthy gel polishes in this collection last up to 14 days. It’s the ideal length of time so that someone can get a safe, fresh look when the earlier one gets boring.

Moreover, these gels are odorless with good coverage that won’t wrinkle when it sets. They cure in seconds under either LED or UV light to a flexible, glossy finish.

This is a smart choice when you want diverse and trendy colors from a brand that already understands what it takes to keep nails healthy and beautiful.

OPI Intelli Gel Color

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OPI removed both HEMA and Di-HEMA from the all-new Intelli-Gel GelColors that replace the former gel polish collection. It’s a complete replacement, with more stylish shades and better performance benefits for pros. This polish is also vegan!

The updated, ultra-pigmented formula has a wonderful consistency that self-levels but stays put, making it fantastic for both quick manicures and intricate nail designs. Plus, it cures in just 30 seconds and lasts for three weeks.

CND Shellac

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CND did a press release saying that it does not include HEMA in Vinylux, Plexigel, or its best-selling gel polish, Shellac. The statement goes on to explain that avoiding HEMA means the polish is gentler on the nails over the long term. Not including the monomer means the nail’s natural structure stays stronger.  Furthermore, neither Shellac nor the other products need HEMA to set to a flawless finish that lasts up to two weeks.

Conclusion

This article has much to consider when it comes to HEMA-free nail products. Please don’t ignore rashes or bad reactions. Instead, take steps to prevent them.

We encourage you to experience the beauty and durability of HEMA-free gel polish. You will be protecting your health as well as those whose nails you do.

Drop by our home page and see what’s on sale. You’re likely to find exactly when you need with discounts on shipping as well.

Sources:

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65273991
2. https://www.chemotechnique.se/get_pdf.php?l=en&p=645#:~:text=Methacrylic%20monomer%20is%20a%20chemical,binders%20for%20textiles%20and%20paper
3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/gch2.202300002
4. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/719441-HEMA/
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12425642_Permeability_of_protective_gloves_by_HEMA_and_TEGDMA_in_the_presence_of_solvents
6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10566503_Permeability_of_different_types_of_medical_protective_gloves_to_acrylic_monomers