Lots of ladies (and even some gents!) like to polish their piggies with lovely lacquers. But in recent years,
some have become concerned that the rainbow on your toes could perhaps be harmful to your health. Your
Tennessee foot specialists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville and The Nail Spa at FAC want to make sure you’re
fully informed about the safety of your manicure in Nashville.
What are the dangerous claims about nail polish?
Certain brands and colors of nail polish were tested in a 2012 California study to see if they contained various dangerous chemicals. Remember dissecting frogs back in junior high? The animals were preserved in the chemical formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and a known ingredient in some nail polishes.
Formaldehyde is used in polish as a hardening agent, while DBP (dibutyl phthalate) provides sheen and flexibility to the formula and toluene evenly suspends the color. These two are known to cause birth defects and should probably be avoided by pregnant women. Additionally, they can also lead to developmental issues so some pediatricians recommend not painting the nails of children, especially ones that bite their fingernails.
What is the reality?
The Nashville foot doctors at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville don’t want you to worry too much, though. Unless you’re around nail polish fumes for extended periods of time, your risks aren't terribly high. Since the study was published, many of the companies, largely lesser-known names, have said they’ve removed these chemicals from their products, while others simply no longer state that their polishes are free of these materials.
However, with major brands such as OPI, the some most serious risks are irritation to the eyes, lungs and skin. As any frequent polisher knows, these are traditionally mild and go away quickly.Nail polish is, overall, a relatively safe product. As with any chemical, it must be used with caution in order to avoid any possible negative effects. Research a brand to make sure it doesn’t use any harmful materials
any only use as directed.
When getting your manicure in Nashville, choose wisely. The specialists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Nashville and The Nail Spa at FAC want to ensure you are in good health from head to painted toes.
