Is It Safe to Use Nail Polish & Remover During Pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, you might need to think twice before using certain substances or ingesting certain food products. The same goes for nail polish and nail polish remover. Can you get your nails done while you are pregnant? Is it safe for your baby and you? In this article, we will review the safety of using these products during your pregnancy term.
Can You Use Nail Polish & Remover During Pregnancy?
As it is with most other issues and products, using nail polish and remover in moderation is safe when you are pregnant. However, you should still take care not to be too exposed to these products. This is due to certain chemical ingredients present in these products that could possibly harm you.
Take Care Your Nails at Home Anytime of The Day
Harmful Nailpolish & Remover Ingredients
Sometimes it is not safe to use nail polish & remover even when you are pregnant. One of the more concerning ingredients in this product, however, could lead to some problems if you are overexposed to it. Some really harmful nail polish ingredients during pregnancy are:
Formaldehyde
This ingredient is used as a hardening agent in nail polish. Formaldehyde can harm you, although your baby is unlikely to be harmed. With regular exposure, you might feel some irritation in your lungs, eyes, and throat. Formaldehyde is one of the known cancer-causing agents, and it would be safer for you to maintain as little exposure towards this ingredient as possible, even though it is broken down quickly enough to keep harm away from your baby.
Toluene
Toluene is the ingredient used to make your nail polish glide over your nails smoothly. This ingredient, however, poses a much greater risk than just the aforementioned irritation caused by formaldehyde. When inhaled in high volumes, the fumes pose a risk for nervous system damages and even cause birth defects in your baby.
Acetone
Acetone is the active ingredient in nail polish remover that can help you to remove your nail polish effectively. To add on, acetone is also present in our body and can be found around us. However, if you are exposed to acetone over a long period of time, your baby could be affected. Acetone could lead to some developmental issues and birth defects in your child if you are not careful, so be sure to limit your exposure to this ingredient!
No Worries! Remove Acrylics without Acetone.
Use Pregnancy-Safe Nail Polish & Nail Polish Remover
While the risks of using nail polish when pregnant are relatively low, you can always play safe by purchasing nail polish that is formaldehyde and toluene-free. Alternatively, you can reduce the frequency of which you use these products, such as painting your nails only once a week or longer. The fumes from your nail polish can also be diverted away from your body if you open the windows while you are applying nail polish. Last but not least, a similar effect can be produced if you extend your arms further away from you while painting your nails. Again in case of nail polish remover, to avoid the negative effects of acetone throughout the course of your pregnancy, you can purchase acetone-free nail polish remover. This type of remover has been known to be less ‘drying’ on your nails, therefore less harsh for usage. To add on, you should always wash your hands after using any nail polish removers. This is to keep the chemicals from seeping into your skin.
Learn How To Take Your Nail Polish Off Skin
In short, nail polish and its remover are generally safe to use even when you are pregnant. If you prefer to play safe, you can always purchase products that are free from formaldehyde, acetone, and toluene.
