Nail polish has been a fashion trend since it was first invented in China, 3000 BC, and became popularized in the 1920s. Millions of women use all shades and hues, and there are even stencils allowing any kind of design in the convenience of the home. But there may be more danger to nail polish than what many people see.
Nail polish contains an array of chemicals. While not all are immediately toxic, some are. The toxic trio: toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate, or DBP, have caused widespread concern. All of these ingredients are quite active in nail polish but can have harmful effects.
Toluene allows smooth application of the polish, but it can also cause damage to the nervous and reproductive systems. Formaldehyde, which hardens nails, has been found to cause cancer. DBP hardens the nails to make the coat last longer, but it can cause birth defects. All three of these toxins can be found in the average bottle of nail polish bottle.
There are also concerns over the new form of nail polish known as “gel nails”. These kinds of nails require the user to put their hands under a UV lamp in order to dry the base coat. They are then given two more coats of a special formula nail polish before a top coat is applied.
Gel nails are extremely hardy and last for two to three weeks without chipping. To remove them, nails must be soaked in acetone for 5 to 12 minutes.
This type of application, though favorable due to its durability, can be quite harmful. Studies comparing nails before and after gel nail treatments show that in the process of getting gels, the nail beds are worn down. According to celebrity nail stylist Jenna Hipp, the damage can be long lasting.
“Many manicurists have their clients soak nails and hands in acetone, which absorbs into the body and into the bloodstream,” Hipp said to elizabethstreet.com. “Others file down with a drill, often leaving the natural nail paper thin and in desperate need of a nine-month-to-a-year healing process.”
The use of a UV lamp to properly harden the polish causes concern as well. Excessive exposure to UV lamps can cause skin cancer and other skin problems.
Many companies are taking steps to help prevent some of these harmful effects. Plenty of nail polish manufactures have taken it upon themselves to rethink their formula and remove any of the toxic trio chemicals found in their product, labeling them as “3-free”.
The average nail polish consumer should be on the lookout for products like these. They should also be aware of the environment of the salons where they get their nails done. Breathing in some of these chemicals can cause damage. And most of all, they should be fully aware of what it is that they are using.
“I’m going to think about it twice now,” said Ms. Mezawi, an English teacher at MLEC who often gets acrylics done at the nail salon. ”I might just take off my acrylics and let my nails grow freely!”
