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Nail polish is not always safe
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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The U.S. Department of Toxic Substances Control has found a list of inconsistencies in the composition of nail polish commonly used in California beauty salons. The inconsistencies were primarily noted in the description of the polish and in its composition.
Experts analyzed the composition of varnishes from 48 thousand nail salons. Initially, it was assumed that the varnishes used in salons did not contain any toxic components. However, upon inspection, it turned out that toxic substances were still present in the preparations, and many of them were even quite dangerous and could cause both congenital anomalies and acquired diseases - asthma, etc.
It was found that varnish coatings containing such components as toluene, formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate posed a significant threat to the health of clients. Manicurists themselves can suffer no less: if a person deals with such preparations every day, then, without suspecting anything bad, he exposes his health to serious danger. A huge number of harmful volatile compounds, especially in the absence of high-quality ventilation, can negatively affect the condition of the respiratory system, cause the development of asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. According to statistics, as a result of poor ventilation of beauty salons, 121 thousand cases of intoxication were recorded among cosmetologists.
Experts have identified a number of recommendations, the observance of which will help minimize the negative impact of manicure preparations on health.
- To make your nails beautiful, you should use only high-quality and proven products. It is not recommended to trust cheap products, even if the seller claims that he uses exactly this kind of varnish.
- A professional master will not dry gel polish using ultraviolet drying - this type of exposure is recognized as very harmful. Today, more advanced LED lamps are used.
- You cannot stop drying the lamp early: not completely dried varnish has a negative effect on the condition of the nail plate, releases toxins and does not last long. The drying time of the varnish is specified by the manufacturer, and it must be followed.
- To remove the varnish coating, you need to use the appropriate product: for regular varnish, a regular “wash-off” is suitable, and for shellac, a special active composition is provided.
When buying varnishes, it is advisable to ask the seller not only for a quality certificate, but also for a detailed composition of the product. As a rule, inexpensive coatings and fakes of Chinese manufacture may contain unsafe components. The most harmful is formaldehyde, which is used as a preservative agent. This substance can cause the growth of tumor processes and damage to the structure of internal organs. According to the European standard, the level of formaldehyde in varnish should not be higher than 0.2%. In our country, the content of the harmful agent in varnishes is not controlled in any way. Therefore, in this case, buyers - both masters and clients of salons - should be especially vigilant.
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