Beetles Gel Polish “Lawsuit”—Here’s What’s Really Happening With the Viral Chemical Burn Claims

Despite viral TikTok videos showing severe allergic reactions and chemical burns from Beetles Gel Polish, no consumer product liability class action lawsuit has been filed as of December 2025. While users contacted law firms in late 2024 and early 2025, the only federal case involving Gelab Cosmetics LLC (Beetles’ parent company) is a 2022 copyright dispute unrelated to product safety. The controversy centers on low photo initiator levels (0.08%), missing Safety Data Sheets, and HEMA-related contact dermatitis affecting thousands.

What Is Actually Happening With Beetles Gel Polish?

In late 2023, TikTok exploded with videos from nail enthusiasts sharing horrifying reactions to Beetles Gel Polish. These weren’t minor irritations—people showed blistered fingertips, swollen hands, chemical burns under nails, and severe allergic reactions.

Alexandria Robles posted a slideshow documenting her gel allergy progression. The video went viral with over 250,000 views. She’d used Beetles products for a month before developing a severe reaction that left her unable to use any HEMA-containing nail products—which means most gel polishes on the market.

Another user went to her doctor after experiencing burning in all her fingers and toes for days. She couldn’t pick anything up. Her doctor diagnosed chemical burns under every nail—explaining the chemicals penetrated through the nail plate and burned the skin underneath.

By summer 2024, content creator “Nail Narrative” began investigating Beetles’ Safety Data Sheets. What she found concerned thousands of DIY nail enthusiasts. The SDS showed photo initiator levels at just 0.08%—far lower than industry standards.

Then in November 2025, Beetles updated their SDS documents. The old ones vanished from their website. The new ones, dated November 5, 2025, created more confusion than clarity. Beetles never issued a statement about which products contained low photo initiator levels. That means potentially problematic bottles could still sit on Amazon shelves, in homes, and in salons.

Despite the outcry, no class action lawsuit has been filed. Several users reached out to law firms inquiring about starting one—but as of December 2025, no product liability case exists in federal or state courts against Beetles or Gelab Cosmetics for chemical burns or allergic reactions.

The One Actual Federal Case: Copyright, Not Product Safety

There IS a federal lawsuit involving Gelab Cosmetics LLC—but it has nothing to do with injuries.

Huang v. Gelab Cosmetics LLC (Case No. 1:2022-cv-02928) was filed June 3, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This is a copyright infringement case. Plaintiff Detao Huang claims Gelab, Beetles Gel Polish, and individual defendants Shijian Li and Xingwang Chen violated intellectual property rights.

The case remains active as of January 2, 2025, with the most recent court order dated January 2, 2025, granting Gelab’s motion to amend their answer and affirmative defenses. Judges John J. Tharp Jr. and Jeffrey T. Gilbert are presiding.

This lawsuit has zero connection to the chemical burns, allergic reactions, or product safety concerns consumers experienced. It’s a business dispute over copyrights—not a consumer protection case.

Similar to how users have raised concerns about other beauty product safety issues, the Beetles situation highlights gaps between social media awareness and actual legal action.

The Photo Initiator Problem Explained

Photo initiators are chemicals that make gel polish harden under UV or LED light. Without enough photo initiator, the gel won’t cure properly—meaning it stays partially liquid even after you’ve cured it under the lamp.

Nail Narrative’s investigation revealed Beetles’ photo initiator levels at just 0.08%. Industry experts say this is dangerously low.

When gel doesn’t cure completely, the surface might feel dry while the layer underneath stays liquid. Uncured gel contains reactive monomers—chemicals that can penetrate skin and trigger severe allergic reactions.

The problem compounds with repeated exposure. You might use Beetles gel polish for months without issues. Then suddenly—blisters, burning, swelling. Once sensitized, the allergy can be permanent.

Dr. studies show that 65 out of 67 participants who developed nail product allergies tested positive for HEMA sensitivity in patch testing. HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is a common monomer in gel polish that becomes particularly problematic when products don’t cure properly.

What Users Actually Experienced

The reports follow disturbing patterns:

Chemical Burns: Users described burning sensations during and after curing. Some couldn’t touch anything for days. Doctors diagnosed chemical burns under the nail plate where gel apparently seeped through and burned the nail bed.

Blistering and Swelling: Fingertips developed painful blisters. Hands swelled. Cuticle areas became inflamed. Some cases resembled third-degree burns.

Permanent Gel Allergy: After developing reactions to Beetles, users found they could no longer tolerate ANY gel products containing HEMA—forcing them to abandon gel manicures entirely or switch to expensive HEMA-free products.

Peeling Skin: Days after reactions began, thick layers of skin peeled from fingertips, exposing raw, painful tissue underneath.

Contact Dermatitis: Itching that lasted for days or weeks. Red, inflamed skin. Eczema-like rashes spreading beyond application sites.

One user wrote: “I’ve been using this product for almost a year every other week. I’ve never had anything like this happen. All of my fingers and toes were really burning and hurting super bad. I couldn’t pick anything up with my hands.”

Another posted: “My doctor told me that chemical burn on all of my fingers and toes under my nails. She said that the chemical must’ve went through each of my nail and chemically burned my skin.”

A licensed cosmetologist developed a permanent allergy: “The use of Beetles made her develop an allergy to gel. I can’t go to the nail shops or get my nails done by a nail tech anymore. I have to spend so much more money on nail products that are HEMA free now.”

Beetles’ Response: Missing and Changing Safety Data

Beetles’ handling of the controversy raised more red flags.

When Nail Narrative and other content creators called out the low photo initiator levels in Beetles’ Safety Data Sheets, the company’s response was defensive. They maintained their products are safe “if used in the correct manner.”

But they became notably uncomfortable when discussing ingredient proportions and curing processes. That discomfort registered as suspicious to thousands watching the drama unfold.

Then the Safety Data Sheets disappeared. The original SDS documents that Nail Narrative screenshot and analyzed vanished from Beetles’ website. Only screenshots saved by concerned users remain as evidence.

In November 2025, Beetles uploaded new SDS documents dated November 5, 2025. Critics immediately pointed out problems:

• The new SDS are confusing and poorly formatted
• Beetles has been selling these products for years, so why are the SDS dated November 2025?
• Beetles never issued a statement identifying which products had problematic photo initiator levels
• No recall was announced
• No guidance was provided about whether old bottles still on shelves are safe

As one nail technician posted: “The SDS that beetles was called out for have VANISHED (besides the screenshots we have). There has been no statement from Beetles Gel Polish as to which products had the low photo initiator so these products could still be on the market/in peoples salons and homes. What is going on?!! We want answers.”

Beetles has not responded to multiple requests for comment from journalists investigating the allegations.

User Error vs. Product Defect: The Debate

Beetles and some nail professionals argue these reactions stem from improper application—not defective products.

Their position: Users aren’t trained properly. They get gel on their skin. They don’t cure long enough. They use incompatible lamps. With proper technique, the products are safe.

Paige Watkins, a licensed cosmetologist, explained: “People who aren’t trained on how to use gel polish may not know how to use these products safely. They can get it on the skin and the cuticles. With repeated behavior, that will definitely create a reaction, like contact dermatitis.”

Another nail professional posted: “Improper use of any gel polish can cause an allergic reaction. It is only been in very recent years that there’s been a call for lower amounts of Hema in nail products. Given that we had so much less allergic reactions to products back in the day when we had even worse chemicals in there, it just goes to show you that application is the villain.”

But users who developed reactions push back. Many ARE trained professionals—licensed nail technicians who’ve been doing gel applications for years. They follow proper protocols, clean up gel from skin, cure for recommended times, and still developed severe reactions specifically with Beetles products after switching from other brands.

Alexandria Robles countered: “A lot of licensed cosmetologists were in my comments saying it was user error. I always would clean up the polish and everything. I would never leave uncured or cured gel on my skin.”

The debate raises a critical question: If the photo initiator level is genuinely too low for proper curing, even perfect application technique won’t prevent uncured gel from causing reactions.

What Laws Would Apply to a Product Liability Case

If a class action lawsuit were filed, several legal theories could apply:

Product Liability – Design Defect: If Beetles’ formulation contains insufficient photo initiator to cure properly, that’s a design defect. The product is inherently dangerous even when used as intended.

Product Liability – Manufacturing Defect: If some batches have lower photo initiator than others, creating inconsistent safety profiles, that’s a manufacturing defect.

Failure to Warn: Beetles didn’t warn consumers about risks of allergic reactions, chemical burns, or consequences of incomplete curing. Warning labels on products don’t mention these dangers.

Breach of Implied Warranty: Consumers expect gel polish to be safe when used as directed. If the product causes harm despite proper use, it breaches implied warranties of merchantability.

Negligence: If Beetles knew or should have known their formulation posed risks but continued selling without changes or warnings, that could constitute negligence.

Violation of Consumer Protection Statutes: Many states have consumer protection laws prohibiting deceptive trade practices. Marketing products as safe when they pose undisclosed risks could violate these statutes.

The legal framework exists. What’s missing is someone filing the actual lawsuit.

Why No Class Action Has Been Filed Yet

Several factors might explain the absence of litigation:

Proof of Causation: Proving Beetles specifically caused injuries requires documentation—medical records, product receipts, photos of reactions. Many users didn’t preserve evidence or seek medical treatment immediately.

Small Individual Damages: While reactions are painful and frightening, actual monetary damages per person might be small—a few hundred dollars in medical costs, maybe lost wages. Class actions typically need either high individual damages or massive class size to be economically viable for attorneys.

Difficulty Identifying Class Members: Unlike data breaches where companies have customer lists, Beetles sells primarily through Amazon and third-party retailers. Identifying every affected purchaser is challenging.

User Error Defense: Beetles’ argument that reactions stem from improper application creates a strong defense that might deter attorneys from taking the case.

Amazon as Intermediary: Most consumers bought Beetles through Amazon, not directly from Gelab Cosmetics. This adds complexity about who bears liability.

Statute of Limitations Concerns: Users who experienced reactions in 2023 may already be approaching statute of limitations deadlines in some states.

That said, if someone did file a class action, discovery could reveal internal documents showing whether Beetles knew about the photo initiator issue and chose not to address it. That evidence could dramatically strengthen plaintiffs’ position.

What Similar Cases Show

Other cosmetic product liability cases provide context:

Johnson & Johnson Talc Powder: Thousands of lawsuits alleged talc products caused cancer. J&J eventually established a multi-billion dollar settlement fund. These cases show cosmetic companies CAN be held liable for harmful products—but litigation takes years.

OGX Shampoo DMDM Hydantoin Claims: Similar pattern to Beetles—viral social media reports of hair loss, allegations about formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, active litigation but no final settlement yet.

TRESemmé Keratin Lawsuit: Class action over DMDM hydantoin in shampoo causing hair loss reached settlement. Shows hair and nail product cases CAN succeed.

Wen Hair Care Products: Over 200 consumers reported hair loss. FDA investigation launched. Eventual $26 million settlement in 2016.

The common thread: These cases took years to develop. Initial social media complaints and consumer reports eventually coalesced into formal litigation, but not immediately.

What Consumers Should Do Right Now

If you’ve experienced reactions to Beetles Gel Polish:

Document Everything: Take photos of your injuries. Save product bottles and packaging. Keep receipts or Amazon order confirmations. Screenshot any communications with Beetles.

Seek Medical Treatment: See a dermatologist. Get official medical documentation linking your symptoms to gel polish exposure. Patch testing can confirm HEMA allergy.

Report to FDA: File a complaint through the FDA’s voluntary cosmetic adverse event reporting program at www.fda.gov. While cosmetics aren’t pre-approved like drugs, FDA tracks safety complaints.

Preserve Evidence: Don’t throw away the gel polish that caused problems. Attorneys may want it tested. Keep the UV lamp you used too.

Contact Product Liability Attorneys: Consult with a lawyer specializing in product liability or class actions. Many offer free consultations. Even if they can’t take your individual case, they might be monitoring for potential class action.

Join Consumer Advocacy: Look for existing consumer groups or Facebook communities tracking Beetles reactions. Collective action is more powerful than individual complaints.

Can You Get Compensation Without a Lawsuit?

Possibly, through Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee or by contacting Beetles directly.

Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee: If you purchased through Amazon, you can file a claim for products that are defective or not as described. Amazon may issue refunds even without seller agreement.

Direct Claims to Beetles: Some consumers have gotten refunds by emailing Beetles customer service with photos of reactions and medical documentation. Success varies.

Credit Card Chargebacks: If purchased with credit card, you can dispute the charge with your bank, claiming the product was defective or caused injury.

Small Claims Court: For individual damages under your state’s small claims limit (often $5,000-$10,000), you could file your own small claims case against Beetles without needing an attorney.

None of these guarantees recovery, but they’re options that don’t require waiting for a class action.

What “Nail Narrative” and Influencer Investigations Revealed

TikTok content creator “Nail Narrative” became the unofficial investigative journalist of this controversy.

She obtained and analyzed Beetles’ Safety Data Sheets before they disappeared. Her videos breaking down the technical details—explaining what photo initiators do, what levels are normal, and why Beetles’ 0.08% is concerning—educated thousands of DIY nail enthusiasts.

She also highlighted that Beetles never addressed WHICH specific products had low photo initiator. Their entire line includes hundreds of colors and formulations. Some might be fine. Others might be dangerous. Beetles hasn’t clarified.

“The Nail Babe” (Halie) also posted detailed analyses: “The SDS you are seeing on the site right now are not the SDS that beetles was called out for. The SDS that beetles was called out for have VANISHED (besides the screenshots we have). There has been no statement from Beetles Gel Polish as to which products had the low photo initiator so these products could still be on the market/in peoples salons and homes.”

These influencer investigations filled the gap left by traditional media and regulatory agencies. While FDA has authority over cosmetics safety, they’re notoriously under-resourced for cosmetics monitoring. Consumer advocates essentially had to police the industry themselves.

Beetles’ Popularity and Business Model

Understanding why Beetles became so popular helps explain the scale of this problem.

Beetles built their brand on affordability. A complete gel nail kit with UV lamp and multiple colors costs less than one salon visit. For budget-conscious consumers, especially during economic uncertainty, doing your own gel nails at home saved hundreds annually.

The company positioned themselves as democratizing beauty—making salon-quality nails accessible to everyone. They developed over 700 colors in a year, updating for every season and holiday. Their Amazon presence was massive, with thousands of positive reviews.

Many users genuinely loved Beetles products and had good experiences. The reactions weren’t universal—which makes causation harder to prove but also more insidious. It creates uncertainty. “Will THIS bottle cause problems? Did my technique change? Is it the lamp?”

Gelab Cosmetics LLC, Beetles’ parent company, is based in Piscataway, New Jersey. But like many cosmetics manufacturers, they likely source ingredients globally and manufacture overseas. This international supply chain adds complexity to quality control and regulatory oversight.

The HEMA Allergy Epidemic

The Beetles controversy is part of a larger crisis in the nail industry: skyrocketing HEMA allergies among both consumers and professionals.

HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is a monomer used in most gel nail products. When properly cured, it’s relatively safe. When improperly cured—or when it contacts skin in liquid form—it can sensitize the immune system.

Once you develop a HEMA allergy, it’s often permanent. You’ll react to ANY gel product containing HEMA for the rest of your life. Given that HEMA appears in most gel polishes, gel extensions, and builder gels, this effectively ends your ability to use these products.

The European Union has stricter regulations on HEMA levels in nail products. The U.S. lags behind. FDA doesn’t require pre-market approval for cosmetics, and enforcement is largely reactive rather than proactive.

Professional nail technicians are getting diagnosed with HEMA allergies at alarming rates—ending their careers. The Healthy Nails Collaborative was founded to address this crisis, providing education about safe application practices and advocating for better ingredient transparency.

What to Expect in 2025 and Beyond

Several scenarios could unfold:

Class Action Filed: If enough consumers with documented injuries contact product liability attorneys, someone might file a class action. Discovery would reveal whether Beetles knew about formulation problems.

FDA Investigation: If complaints reach a threshold, FDA might investigate. This could lead to voluntary recalls or warning letters.

Regulatory Changes: The controversy could spur legislative action requiring better testing and labeling for gel nail products.

Market Response: Other gel polish manufacturers might capitalize on Beetles’ problems by emphasizing their photo initiator levels and safety testing.

Continued Limbo: Without formal legal action, the situation might remain unresolved—products still on shelves, consumers still at risk, no accountability.

Do You Have a Product Liability Claim?

You might have grounds for individual legal action if:

• You purchased Beetles Gel Polish and used it according to directions
• You experienced chemical burns, allergic reactions, or other injuries
• You sought medical treatment and have documentation
• You can prove causation (the injuries came from Beetles, not other products)
• You’re within your state’s statute of limitations (typically 2-4 years from date of injury)

Consult with a product liability attorney to evaluate your specific situation. Even without a class action, you might have an individual case worth pursuing.

FAQs

Q: Is there actually a Beetles Gel Polish lawsuit?

A: No consumer product liability lawsuit has been filed as of December 2025. The only federal case involving Gelab Cosmetics (Beetles’ parent company) is a 2022 copyright dispute unrelated to injuries or product safety.

Q: Have people really gotten chemical burns from Beetles?

A: Yes. Hundreds of users have documented chemical burns, severe allergic reactions, and permanent gel allergies on social media and in medical records. However, no court case has established legal liability.

Q: Why hasn’t anyone sued Beetles yet?

A: Several factors: difficulty proving causation, small individual damages, user error defenses, and complexity of identifying class members. Users have contacted law firms, but no attorney has filed a class action yet.

Q: What’s wrong with Beetles’ photo initiator levels?

A: Investigations found photo initiator levels as low as 0.08%—substantially below industry norms. Low photo initiator means gel may not cure properly, leaving reactive chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.

Q: Did Beetles change their Safety Data Sheets?

A: Yes. In November 2025, Beetles uploaded new SDS dated November 5, 2025. The original SDS documents that showed low photo initiator levels disappeared from their website.

Q: Can I still get a refund?

A: Try Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee if purchased there, contact Beetles customer service directly, or dispute the charge with your credit card company. Success varies.

Q: Is Beetles Gel Polish safe to use?

A: Unknown. Beetles maintains products are safe when used properly. However, they haven’t clarified which formulations had problematic photo initiator levels, and products manufactured before November 2025 may still be in circulation.

Q: What’s a HEMA allergy?

A: HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is a monomer in gel polish. Some people develop permanent allergic sensitivity after exposure. Once allergic, you’ll react to most gel nail products for life.

Q: Should I stop using Beetles?

A: If you’ve had no reactions and want to continue, ensure you’re curing properly (60-90 seconds under appropriate wattage lamp), keeping gel off skin, and following all instructions. If you’ve had any reactions, discontinue immediately and see a dermatologist.

Q: How do I file a complaint about Beetles?

A: Report to FDA through their voluntary cosmetic adverse event reporting program. File Amazon A-to-Z claim if purchased there. Document everything and consult a product liability attorney.

Q: Can I join a class action?

A: No class action exists yet to join. If one is filed in the future, notices will be sent to potential class members or posted publicly. Monitor legal news sites and consumer advocacy groups.

Q: What happened to Nail Narrative’s investigation?

A: Her TikTok videos analyzing Beetles’ Safety Data Sheets went viral and sparked widespread consumer concern. She documented the low photo initiator levels before the original SDS disappeared from Beetles’ website.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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