It might be one of the most refreshing feelings to get to your favorite salon and just kick your feet back and get a meni-pedi without worrying about a thing in the world. But sadly, like everything else in the world, too much of something can really be damaging to our health and wellbeing.
Not only do our nails dry up and maybe turn yellow when using the wrong type of nail polish, but it turns out there is much more than can affect our body in the most negative ways.
Toxic chemicals that make up the ingredients of our favorite nail polish are causing harm to our nervous system. Here are some of the most dangerous:
Toluene
This specific type of compound is used mostly to make sure that the color of the nail polish is clear and the pigment is transferred to the nail. It also is the ingredient that keeps the polish, well, polished and smooth.
However, the nervous system is affected by this toxic chemical as it can cause some or maybe all of these symptoms combined, nausea, headaches, dizziness, fainting, and weakness all over the body. It can also cause some damage to the liver and kidney if too much of it is used on the body.
Formaldehyde
Ever wonder why your nail polish can last for years without losing its pigment or odor, it’s all thanks to this toxin. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that keeps your nail polish fresh the longer it is stored.
Research has shown that prolonged exposure to this gas can cause heart rhythm disorders, convulsions, or even cancer in severe cases. Not to mention the constant exposure of the nail polish mixed in with the gas can cause devastating dermatitis for those at higher risk of allergies, or even chemical burns if left on the skin too long.
Dibutyl Phthalate
Nail polish dries up pretty quickly when it is put on our nails, but why doesn’t it do so in the bottle? Well, this is thanks to the compound toxin dibutyl phthalate which actually prevents it from becoming brittle, while preserving its pigment.
Inhaling in some of this can cause a number of health concerns including high blood pressure and glad issues, or even problems breathing. Some studies have even gone on to show that it might also affect the reproductive organs as well.
Nail Polish and Your Child
One thing is for sure, being in close proximity to these toxic chemicals is a serious health risk. What is even worse is that these chemicals are in the cheap types of nail polish, some of which is used by our children.
Putting the nail polish on our nails and getting all these chemicals along with it might be one thing, but what about when your child has nail polish on and puts their fingers in their mouth? Or worse, bites their nails or sucks their thumbs? This flags a huge red flag on using nail polish without checking the ingredients first.
Doctors and researchers have warned of the growing evidence that suggests that inhaling or digesting these chemicals can cause developmental effects and neurotoxicity.
Are we really going to let our children use nail polish freely?