When I refer to nail polishes, I mean those that are removed with a solvent, not the gel or semi-permanent ones that are applied with UV light. I am going to explain the dangers, benefits, and details about these, such as allergies that can cause or why it is not recommended that children paint their nails, among other questions.
COMPOSITIONS
The composition of nail polish is the cosmetic that has changed the most in less time, in fact until recently, in addition to aggressive paints such as pure varnishes, they were loaded with solvents, some of which are prohibited by possibly carcinogens. We could classify them according to the function they have. Pigments, lacquers, plasticizers, solvents, clays, and UV filters.
The pigment is the one that will give the color, generally minerals: titanium and iron oxide, green chromium oxide, chromium hydroxide, ferric ammonium ferrocyanide, ferric ferrocyanide, tin oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, carmine, manganese violet can also have pearlescent pigments.
The shine is provided by mica, bismuth oxychloride and titanium dioxide.
- Lacquer, it is the one that will give resistance and shine and make a film effect, generally nitrocellulose.
- Plasticizers, it will give the elastic consistency to the enamel but it would be a rigid paint that would crack, generally resins
- Solvents, these are the ones that will give the structure or density to the enamel, they are usually butyl and ethyl acetate.
- Clay, bentonites give structure to enamel and avoid lumps.
- UV filter, so that the color is not altered in sunlight.
- The design of the container and the brush will also vary greatly from one brand to another and it is another aspect to consider when we buy a quality product.
HOW THEY SHOULD BE USED
- First it is advisable to do the manicure, removing possible remains of old enamels, filing, and if necessary polishing the nail.
- After applying a base, this base is usually transparent, it will protect the nail from dark pigments that can damage or stain the nail, it will smooth it from possible cracks or indentations that the nail has and that the end is more homogeneous.
- And improve the adherence of the enamel itself.
- Before applying the enamel, it is preferable, even if it is new, to shake it so that the brush is homogeneous with the product.
- Once the base dries, apply the enamel the layers we want, although a very thick enamel will jump faster because it loses elasticity and becomes more rigid.
- It is advisable to let it dry slightly before applying the next coat.
- Close the enamel to prevent the solvents from evaporating, which would cause it to be too thick and useless, nor keep it in the sun or a heat source, it would also cause evaporation of the product
- Finally, you can add the gloss and resistance film to the enamel, these products usually also have drying agents, so they have enough solvents that will evaporate quickly
TOXICITY OF NAIL POLISHES
As I said before, the composition of nail polishes has varied a lot, in fact most of the harmful solvents are already practically removed from the legal or health-controlled brands.
These are: Formaldehyde (the most dangerous), considered a carcinogen, and is very volatile, it is one of the main responsible for contact allergies.
Toluene (the most dangerous), is also very volatile, it can irritate the respiratory system, the eyes, even the central nervous system. Dibutyl phthalate (the most dangerous), is known as a carcinogen and is related to thyroid problems and hormonal changes.
- Triphenyl phosphate (PHP)
- Parabens
- Xylenes
- Ethyl tosylamide
- Trimethylic acid
- Benzophenone
With this type of product, and in many centers where there is not enough ventilation, the vapors of these solvents are very dangerous for customers but especially for workers who spend 8 hours in contact with them, that is why the spaces need adequate ventilation. and they have to pass the health regulations strictly.
ALLERGIES
One of the main problems of nail polish is the possible allergies that can also appear in different parts that not only on the nails or fingers. They are allergies that we know as contact, it can be an allergy to enamels as one of the components, even to solvents or nail polish removers.
Currently, many new reactions have appeared, especially to new acrylic products, which can be dangerous up to the loss of the nail. Generally the most important reaction is to touch when it is still wet or to approach the nails to dry them in the mouth or eyes.
What possible reactions can appear due to allergy to nail polish ?:
Lip irritation and inflammation:
It can appear after a few days of applying it, it is because we always touch something in the mouth, the enamel can be wet but also dry
Eye bags:
It is likely that we have approached it to the nose or mouth and the reaction appears in the dark circles, since an excess of blood accumulates in that area, congestion, and bags in the area around the eyes, also
Blisters:
Small and larger blisters may appear, small itchy and painful blisters around the nails but also on all fingers, hands, wrists and arms
Reddened and inflamed cuticles:
Another of the usual reactions allergies to enamels, whether applied with the lamp or without it, is inflammation of the cuticles, they do not even have to itch, they just swell and become red. What we know as contact dermatitis occurs
Nail temperature increases:
As if they were hot and itchy, this symptom is more common in gel products, especially if they have not been properly sealed with the lamp and the product can penetrate the nail and the tissues surrounding the skin.
Rhinitis symptoms:
As if it were a true seasonal allergy, in which we feel from nasal congestion, tiredness, cold sores, sore or sore throat, cough
Rashes:
They can be in areas such as the abdomen or any other part of the body, they can be more or less soft and they do not even have to itch or be very visible
When we have an allergy to any of these components, we feel any of these symptoms and recently we have painted our nails, we can suspect that it is some type of allergy to nail polish.
In any case, it is advised:
- Quickly remove nail polish with the right product
- Wash your hands with soap and water twice until the product and the remains of the nail polish remover disappear completely.
- Take an antihistamine, they can advise you at the pharmacy
- If we suffer from rashes, inflammations or eczema, I recommend that you apply an ointment with some corticosteroid
- Subsequently, a dense and emollient cream that helps rehydrate the skin and rebalance it, a hand cream is enough (if it is not a very important irritation)
- When we can, go to an allergist with the product so that he can do the corresponding allergy tests and that the same does not happen again
- If we want to repaint the nails, it is important to know which product is the one that has made an allergy or at least use other types of enamels
- Of course, we should avoid those containing any of the first three components
VEGAN NAIL POLISHES
Like all cosmetics that are vegan, they must comply with some basic regulations or principles:
FIRST PREMISE:
That the product does not contain any product of animal origin, nor derived, this means that it can not carry either milk proteins or beeswax ...
The big problem is that most of the time the labels do not put the full name of the component, only the technical abbreviation so it makes it more difficult to know what it is unless you go to the internet and even then there may be errors. Labs that make vegan products always label them specifically.
SECOND PREMISE:
That the product of the components has not been tested on animals, which is not always so evident although it seems clearer than the previous one since some state regulations do not allow the use of ingredients that have not been tested before, as can happen with multiple ingredients from China.
Some of the main components that are tested on animals and we do not know, which are also very common in nail polishes:
GUANINA, natural Pearl essence CL75170, is a pearly shine that is taken from the scales of (dead) fish.
CARMIN, crimson lake, natural red, CL75470, is the red pigment, generally from the shells of insects that live on cactus farms, it is also used in the food industry.
KERATIN is literally an animal protein.
CHILDREN WITH PAINTED NAILS
Some of the components that nail polishes carry can be toxic to children, but specifically the three mentioned at the beginning of the text:
Toluene: could cause respiratory problems and problems with the nervous system.
Dibutyl Phthalate: It has been banned in cosmetics since 2003.
Formaldehyde: It is even related to some types of cancer.
It does not mean that children who have ever used these products present real risks, however, in addition to having the finest and most delicate nails, children put their fingers in their mouth very often, which increases the risks of allergies. It should be important to use the right ones for them. As they can be soluble in water that can be easily washed and avoid all solvents.
Enamel remover
Depending on the product we have used, we will need one type or another of nail polish remover. Generally the most suitable would be to use the solvent that has been used to make the formula. However, the most common are:
ACETONE
It is the simplest and the most versatile, it will remove all kinds of nail varnishes, it does not have to be harmful with the nails, however, over time to use them, especially if it is done, it will often dry the nails too much.
ETHYL ACETATE AND BUTYL ACETATE
The mixture of both are the most used products, they can dissolve the nitrocellulose that nail polishes have
ETHYL LACTATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL AND PROPYLENE CARBONATE
They are other of the most common solvents
OTHER INGREDIENTS
When they tell us on the packaging, the word for oily, respectful or delicate with the nails, is that other components are usually added, such as glycerin, gelatin, fragrances and dyes
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