NontoxicLifestyle: Health Effects of Toxic Nail Salon- Toxic Nail Polish

Most women appreciate the appeal of a polished finger nail when applied properly. We know Nail polish beautifies the nail but some users of nail polishes aren’t aware of the harmful effects some nail polish treatments pose to a healthy body.

Toxic nails and toxic nail salon all have the same thing in common, which is the smell of mixed toxic chemical. You may have walked into a nail salon, while the door is shut and may be smelled a strong pungent chemical like formaldehyde from nail products used (the smell of nail polish, nail polish remover, and some other mix). It is because most conventional nail polish contain toluene and formaldehyde, Dibutyl phthalates (DBP) while nail polish cleaners or remover usually contain Ethyl Acetate, Alcohol, propylene carbonate, DimenthylGlutarate, Dimenthyl Adipate, Glycerin, Gelatin, Fragrance, Isoproyl alcohol, Benzophenone-1, denatonium benzoate, D&C Red no 17, d&c yellow no 11 plus water & castor oil.

· Toxic are substances that enter the environment in a high concentrate may have immediate or long term harmful effect on the environment, human or animal’s health.

· some chemicals can enter a person's bloodstream through the nail bed

· can be stored in the person’s body’s fat and could be passed along to a baby through nursing mum’s breast milk.

Check out Toxic Ingredients

Toluene

Toluene is a human reproductive and developmental toxin.

It can cause fatigue, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, and memory loss.

It can cause liver damage and skin irritation.

In high levels it may affect the kidneys.

Toluene is linked to birth defects in laboratory animals.

Acetone

Acetone a known irritant in small amounts that can be broken down by the liver without any adverse effects, but in high doses it can be harmful and fatal to infants.

Breathing in Acetone in high doses can cause dizziness, organ irritation (eye, nose, skin), birth defects, and it can be fatal when ingested. The long term effects of acetone on humans are still not clear.

Alternative Option: Non-acetone nail polish removers are commonly more expensive than acetone-based versions. They also do not typically smell as strongly as acetone nail polish remover does. However, non-acetone remover are healthier for the nail thus, they may be the best choice for those with weak or brittle nails.

Formaldehyde is a chemical compound which is widely used in industrial manufacturing and in some cosmetics. It is a byproduct of combustion and molecule reactions in the atmosphere. It is also found in smog from pollutants in the air, burning furniture, and buildings. Formaldehyde can also be generated through fuel burning stoves, and it is also found in paints used to build conventional buildings, furniture and art works. Formaldehyde in the form of formalin, an aqueous solution of formaldehyde is used as mummifying preservative. It is one of the main ingredients used in your nail polishing products, glues, resins, paints, atmosphere, film processing, and to preserve photos.

Exposure to high level of formaldehyde can cause cancer, respiratory problems, skin conditions like dermatitis, and inflammation of the mucus membranes in the short term. Formaldehyde can also cause serious allergies that could lead to other health problems. This chemical is especially dangerous for children.

To help reduce your exposure to formaldehyde you can use a dehumidifier, Air purifier, and windows for ventilation although it is wiser to get rid of the toxin by replacing toxic product for nontoxic product. For example, instead of using sally Hansen nail polish remover you can use a healthier alternative by sun coat and honeybee.

Dibutyl phthalates (DBP) is common ingredient in nail polish products like toluene, formaldehyde, and the other chemical offenders. It is plasticizers that give nail polish its plastic look and feel. Animal test and study shows dibutyl phthalate to be harmful. According to Environment working group (EWG http://www.ewg.org), a nonprofit environmental research organization; DBP was found to be a developmental and reproductive toxin. Birth defects and lifelong reproductive damage were found in male animals exposed to DBP in utero and shortly after birth. Also long term exposure to DBP can damage the testes, prostate gland, epididymus, penis, and seminal vesicles exposure effects are long term.

Hint: Toxic substances are substances that can enter the environment, human or animal body; and in a high concentrate may have immediate or long term harmful effect.