Chemicals In Gel Nail Polish And Their Adverse Effects
The nail is a structure that provides protection to the fingertips from injury and also provides support for the precision activities of the fingers. It has achieved an additional function of beautification. Nail beautification is a big industry today, with services having a vast range of products. Nail polishes, hardness, extensions, and decorations are to name a few.
The cosmetic appeal of the nail polish is achieved by using colours, shiners, hardners, plastic or metal decorative materials etc.
Gel nail polishes differ from regular nail polishes with respect to texture, thickness, and longevity. Gel nails have powder and liquid phase which is similar to dental resins. UV light exposure is required for this form of nail polish to set and harden. Regular nail polishes do not require UV light for drying, thus differing from gel nail polishes. Gel nail polishes adhere to the nails. Rigorous buffing is required to remove them from the nail plate. This leads to unintentional physical damage to the nails. It also requires cuticle trimming and nail plate buffing for the right application.
Nail gel polishes contain a complex combination of agents that provide them with colour, texture, consistency and strength. Nitrocellulose, resins, plasticizers, solvents, and pigments are to name a few. All these agents are capable of inducing allergic contact dermatitis, eyelid dermatitis, respiratory irritation, and nail shedding in a few individuals.
A few cases of mycobacterium fortuitous infection have been reported to be related to unhygienic manicures and pedicures. The long-term use of UV light used for drying nail polishes has shown a few cases of non-melanoma skin cancers.
Further physical trauma due to cuticle reshaping and buffing can increase the chance of fungal and bacterial infections to the nails. Which ultimately leads to pain in the area surrounding the nail and deformity of the nail itself. Nail thinning is also associated with over-enthusiastic buffing.
The use of acetone as a nail polish remover is known to cause excessive dryness and irritation to the skin surrounding the nails.
Do’s and don’ts
Use hypoallergenic nail polish. This variety contains cellulose, acetate, butyrate and polyester resin. Avoid nail polishes which contain tosylamide formaldehyde resin.
Avoid excessive use of acetone as a nail polish remover. Moisturize nail cuticles regularly
Avoid trimming cuticles and overzealous buffing. Avoid UV light dryers
Avoid procedures where nail drilling is done.
Hygiene is a must when it comes to pedicures and manicures. Avoid using scrubbers and exfoliators without sanitizing them.
Nail is undeniably an important structure providing us the with protection and precision in fine work, hence proper care needs to be taken to avoid any unnecessary damage to it.
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