{"id":19770,"date":"2022-07-14T10:33:41","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T15:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19770"},"modified":"2023-03-06T15:46:15","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T20:46:15","slug":"how-safe-is-your-go-to-manicure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/advice\/how-safe-is-your-go-to-manicure\/","title":{"rendered":"How Safe is Your Go-to Manicure?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting pampered at the nail salon is a fun pastime for many. But while getting your nails done seems like a fun and harmless pursuit, it turns out there are some chips in its shiny reputation. <\/span><\/p>\n

The tools and practices used at a nail salon, unfortunately, may pose risks to not only your nail health, but your overall health.\u00a0<\/span>Thankfully, with a bit of knowledge, you can protect your nail health and still get that bright pedi to show off poolside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nailing down the risks<\/h3>\n

Before we dive into the impacts of different nail procedures, let\u2019s get into the physiology of your nails \u2014 and the general risks of getting them buffed and painted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While your nails are hard, they\u2019re not impermeable. The nail plate is porous. In fact, it\u2019s even <\/span>more porous<\/span><\/a> than your actual skin. Your nail health <\/span>can also be a clue to<\/span><\/a> larger health issues you may have going on, like skin cancer or other conditions. And nail infections, in turn, <\/span>can spread to other parts of your body<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While conventional nail products have improved in quality over the years, some still include some potentially harmful ingredients that your body <\/span>can absorb<\/span><\/a>. For instance, some nail polish includes <\/span>formaldehyde<\/span><\/a>, which has been recognized as a carcinogen and can cause allergic contact dermatitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Salon woes<\/h3>\n

While the act of getting your nails done carries some risks, the environment in which you do it does as well. Dr. Shari Lipner, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, explains that when salons reuse files, clippers, or other tools and don\u2019t sterilize them thoroughly, they put their clients at risk of developing infections <\/span>like warts and nail fungus<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThe baths used for pedicures can also harbor microorganisms,\u201d she adds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of all the harsh nail products in use, nail salons are also full of <\/span>toxic fumes and irritants<\/span><\/a>, which can cause skin problems, respiratory issues and more. <\/span>A 2015 New York Times expos\u00e9<\/span><\/a> revealed the many health problems nail workers suffer due to exposure to these chemicals.<\/span><\/p>\n

The mani wars<\/h3>\n

Manicures (and pedicures, for that matter) aren\u2019t created equal. When choosing which type of nail treatment to get, take these considerations into account.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Basic Manicure<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going to get a manicure or pedicure, traditional nail polish at home or in the salon is the safest,\u201d says Lipner. Basic nail polish doesn\u2019t last as long as some of the other options, but it can be quickly and easily removed with nail polish remover, rather than requiring a soak in acetone (more on that later).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To lower your risks even further, seek out a non-toxic nail polish by looking for the term \u201cthree-free\u201d on the labeling, which indicates that the nail polish is free of three harmful chemicals: formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. You may also see \u201cfive-three,\u201d \u201cseven-free,\u201d or even higher numbers, which means the nail polish is free of even more chemicals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gel Manicure\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The main appeal of gel manicures is that they last a long time. But in the <\/span>longer<\/span><\/i> long-term, they can be more harmful to your nails. Removing a gel polish from your nails typically requires soaking them for a long time in acetone, which can be harsh and drying. Lipner adds that UV light that\u2019s used to set gel polish can cause sun spots on your skin and<\/span> pose a moderate but notable skin cancer risk<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dip Powder Manicure<\/b><\/p>\n

Another long-lasting nail treatment, a dip powder manicure, involves dipping your nails into colored powder then topping it off with a sealant (a specific type of clear nail polish meant to seal in the powder).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While it\u2019s similar to a gel manicure in some ways, it carries unique risks.\u00a0<\/span>At some salons, you might dip your fingers into a container of powder that other customers have used \u2014 which can<\/span> increase your chance<\/span><\/a>s of contracting a fungal infection. The <\/span>adhesives<\/span><\/a> that hold the powder into place can also be irritating; experts recommend getting a test dip manicure to make sure you don\u2019t have an allergic reaction to them. Plus, dip powder also requires an acetone soak to remove.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Salon safety<\/h3>\n

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to mitigate any health risks at the nail salon without sacrificing any style.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n