Anyone who’s accidentally smudged or chipped a freshly painted nail understands the allure of the gel manicure. The procedure, in which gel polish is applied and then cured under a lamp, results in a shiny, durable manicure that lasts around two weeks.

But in September, the E.U. banned a key ingredient in gel nail polishes called trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO—making many people second-guess the safety of a gel manicure.

“There are definitely some potential pitfalls and dangers, but honestly, millions and millions of women worldwide use gel nails and do not have problems,” says Dr. Phoebe Rich, a dermatologist in Portland, Oregon, who specializes in the prevention and treatment of nail disorders.

The key, experts agree, is to take a few simple precautions. Before you

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