Complete information about nail polish (nail polish) & bull; hello healthy

Besides, of course there are many people who use this so that their nails look beautiful. Well, one way to beautify your nails is to paint your nails. There are various types of nail polish (nail polish) that you can find. Get to know the definition of nail polish and its impact on health.

What is nail polish?

Nail polish is a product used to coat the nail plate to make it look more beautiful. In fact, painting your nails can also be done to treat certain nail problems, such as peeling or softened nails.

This nail treatment contains a formula that aims to improve the appearance of the nails by disguising cracked or peeled nails.

The content of the nail polish usually consists of a mixture of organic polymers and several other ingredients to give it a unique color and texture.

You can dye the nails as part of manicure and pedicure at the salon, or do it yourself at home by buying an over-the-counter nail polish product.

Nail polish products, including gels, liquids, and powders, generally contain ingredients such as:

• dibutyl phthalate (DBP),
• toluene,
• formaldehyde,
• camphor,
• paraffin,
• methacrylate,
• acetone, and
• acetonitrile.

Types of nail polish

For people who like to paint their nails, maybe they already understand very well what variants of nail polish are offered. Here are some types of nail polish that you should be familiar with before trying to color your nails.

Regular nail polish

The type of nail polish that is most often used to paint nails is conventional nail polish. This type of nail polish usually has to be applied several times to the nails and can be air dried.

The polymer content in the nail polish is dissolved in a solvent. During the drying process, the solvent evaporates and the polymer hardens, resulting in the paint that sticks to the nails.

Gel nail polish

One of the most popular types of nail polish is gel nail polish. This variant of nail polish is quite durable compared to other types because it contains a type of methacrylate polymer.

How to use it is similar to nail polish in general, but it will not dry on its own. You will need to dry the nail polish under an LED or ultraviolet light.

Unlike regular nail polish, gel nail polish is more difficult to remove and can last for two weeks. You can remove gel polish by soaking your nails in pure acetone for a time depending on the formula in them.

Powder nail polish

Not only in gel form, you can also find nail polish in powder form. This variant is commonly used in manicures and pedicures.

The paint which consists of fine acrylic powder will later be mixed with an adhesive so that the color can stick. Then, your fingernails will be dipped or smeared on the nails.

This type of treatment contains a liquid with a chemical substance that causes polymerization and can leave a fairly hard "shell".

Nail polish is 'non-toxic' or 'non-toxic'

In fact, the non-toxic label on nail polish is quite difficult to explain. However, the non-toxic label on nail polish refers to the absence of five specific ingredients, namely:

• formaldehyde,
• toluene,
• dibutyl phthalate (DBP),
• formaldehyde resin, and
• camphor.

You see, formaldehyde is a preservative that is believed to cause cancer. These compounds are also substances that can cause allergic reactions. These properties also apply to formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene.

Meanwhile, camphor is an oil that is used as a topical medicine, but can be toxic when taken orally.

A number of studies have also reported that the chemicals in nail polish can be absorbed into the body, but the exact amount has not been determined.

That is why, the non-toxic appendage to nail polish is questionable, considering that there are other chemicals in it.

Nail polish dangers to health

Painting your nails can indeed improve the appearance of your nails. Unfortunately, most nail polish products contain three toxic ingredients that can damage your health as follows.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)

Dibutyl phthalate is a chemical compound that is used to make the nail polish more flexible. In addition, these chemical compounds also prevent painted nails from becoming brittle and peeling off.

Even so, it turns out that DBP can interfere with the reproductive organs, namely disrupting endocrine hormones. That is why DBP is rarely used, especially in European countries because it has quite a dangerous impact.

Toluene

Apart from DBP, another chemical compound in nail polish that has a negative impact on health is toluene. Toluene is a solvent used to thin the nail polish so that it becomes smooth after application.

Solvents are usually quite dangerous, especially for the nervous system. Some people inhaling spray paint, glue, and gasoline can get dizzy and faint.

Formaldehyde

As a nail polish hardener, formaldehyde is also considered to be detrimental to health, especially for sufferers of allergies to formaldehyde.

Therefore, people who have this allergy are advised to use nail care without formaldehyde.

How does nail polish interfere with endocrine hormones?

One of the dangers that can arise from painting nails is that endocrine hormones are disrupted. This is evidenced by research from EWG and Duke University.

Researchers found that nail polish containing triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) can interfere with endocrine hormones. The study tested the urine of 26 female participants, both before and after they applied nail polish.

Experts are trying to find DPHP, which is a chemical made by the body when the TPHP metabolic process occurs. As a result, they saw a higher increase in DPHP after painting the nails.

TPHP can interfere with human hormones, especially during the reproductive and growth processes. Many cosmetic companies use TPHP because it makes nail polish more flexible and lasts longer.

Tips for painting nails with nail polish

Although nail polish, especially gel nail, lasts a long time and enhances the appearance of your nails, the ingredients in it can affect nail health. Painting nails with gel nail polish can cause your nails to turn yellow, brittle, and crack.

Therefore, coloring nails should not be careless because there are a number of tips that need to be considered to keep nails healthy.

1. Always ask the therapist for the level of cleanliness

It doesn't hurt to ask a therapist about the cleanliness of the tools used to paint nails. You can ask whether the tool has been sterilized, both after and before use.

Also, never allow the therapist to cut your cuticles while coloring your nails to prevent inflammation or fungal infection of the nails.

2. Consider regular nail polish over gel polish

For people who have an allergy to acetone or recurring nail problems, it may be worth considering conventional nail polish. The reason is, gel nail polish requires acetone to get rid of the color on the nails.

This can certainly trigger an allergic reaction for people who have it or cause other nail diseases.

3. Wear sunscreen

Before painting nails, it's best to use sunscreen with a waterproof material and SPF 30 on your hands. This aims to prevent skin cancer and aging of the skin around the nails.

Sunscreen also protects the skin from the UV rays that are used when "drying" gel nail polish onto the nails. You can also wear dark gloves with your fingertips exposed before applying the nail polish.

4. Soak fingertips in acetone

Once the nail polish is gone, try soaking your fingertips in acetone, not all of your hands or fingers. That way, the surrounding skin can be protected.

Another option is to use a cotton ball to remove nail polish. Try soaking a cotton ball in acetone and placing it on your nails.

Before that, wrap the skin around the finger in aluminum foil so that it doesn't come into contact with the acetone. This method ensures that only your nails are in contact with the acetone.

Is it safe for pregnant women to wear nail polish?

For pregnant women who want to beautify their nails with nail polish may be wondering, is nail polish safe or not?

The good news is that the use of this product, especially in gel form, is safe for pregnant women to use, as long as they are careful.

In addition, try not to paint your nails with methacrylate monomer (MMA) nail polish. The reason is, this material can cause skin irritation, eyes and lungs, and trigger allergic reactions.

Meanwhile, some pregnant women may feel nauseous when they smell the aroma of chemicals in the salon. If you experience headaches or nausea while painting your nails, try to get some fresh air outside.

If you have further questions, please consult a dermatologist to get the right solution.

x