Even wonder about the risks of popular nail treatments?
Just last week I was invited to speak with Sonia Sunger on Global BC’s morning news about this issue. Here are a few of the tips we discussed:
Nail polish:
- Toxic trio: formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate- some products have moved away from containing these ingredients
- Look for a well-ventilated salon, and consider seeking out nail products that don’t contain these ingredients. If you own or work in a salon, make sure it is properly ventilated.
UVA and LED lights
- These are necessary to set shellac nails and gel nails
- Both UVA and LED lights give off UVA radiation, which is a class I carcinogen (cancer causing agent) as defined by the World Health Organisation
- Protect your hands: apply a broad spectrum sunscreen containing a good UVA blocking ingredient (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and Mexoryl XL ®)
- Better yet: cut the finger tips off an old pair of gloves that don’t let any light through and protect your skin
Cleanliness and Sterility
- Reusable manicure instruments should be sterlilized in an autoclave to prevent the spread of infection
- For pedicures: look for foot basins without jets- it is very difficult to perform a high-grade clean on jets between customers
Risks of Gel and Acrylic Nails
- Gel nails, and shellac nail treatments all use acrylates.
- As discussed above, this requires UVA light for curing/ hardening.
- If improperly cured, these acrylates are highly allergenic. Signs can include eyelid redness, swelling, scaling and itch- not necessarily a rash on the hands, where the skin is thicker and less sensitive.
- This can have serious implications: this type of contact allergy, once acquired, lasts for life, and can affect other procedures that use acrylates, such as cosmetic dental work.
Protect your cuticles
A popular part of a manicure is to push back and trim the cuticle. Unfortunately, this can lead to all kinds of nail problems. The cuticle is a very important part of the nail- think of it as the glue that attaches the skin to the nail, and prevents water, irritants, and infection from getting in to attack the nail at it’s growth plate- the nail matrix. Once cuticles are damaged or gone, it is very difficult to promote healthy re-growth. Personally, if I get a manicure, I ask them to leave my cuticles alone- the less we mess with them the safer!
This article is intended to provide general information and is not intended as a substitute for assessment and care from your doctor.