Nail polish for manicure and pedicure is a multicomponent material. Depending on the manufacturer, it can include both components that are neutral to health and dangerous. The latter include formaldehyde. We will understand what this component is and how it affects health.
Composition
Decorative coating for the nails of women used since ancient times. Previously, they were available only to noble persons, over time, invented varnishes, which are used by most women. For several decades, the composition of varnish has changed.
Today, regardless of the manufacturer, such tools have a similar composition. They contain the following groups of substances.
- Plasticizing components. Responsible for the elasticity of varnish in its distribution on the nail plate. Substances included in this group, give the coating strength.
- Solvents. These are ingredients that allow the varnish to maintain a liquid consistency when applied for a certain time. Most manufacturers use solvents as solvents.
- Pigment particles. They are substances on which the color palette of the coating depends.
- Polymer compounds. Components whose function is to add shine to the finished coating.
Formaldehyde compounds may be included in the latter group.
What it is?
At various sites, controversy flares up over whether health is harmful to formaldehyde in nail polish or not. To find out the truth, you need to figure out what kind of substance. Formaldehyde is an organic compound called formic aldehyde. In high concentrations, it is poisonous to the body.
Formaldehyde compounds are widely used in the leather industry, light industry and medicine. In addition, formaldehyde is often found in cosmetic products: hair balms, shampoos, oral care products, various manicure formulations.
In lacquers, this substance is used as a preservative, to increase the shelf life of products. Also, formaldehyde gives color additional durability. Included in the composition, it gives a guarantee that the lacquer coating will not fade with time and will not turn pale, but, on the contrary, will retain the original color scheme.
Impact on health and nails
More recently, people did not know how nail polishes affect the human body. Research began to be engaged only a few decades ago.
According to the tests, it was proved that formaldehyde is a toxic substance that is able to be absorbed into the blood during staining of the nail. Its maximum concentration (from 20 to 70%) is reached after 12 hours.
This substance has a negative effect on human immunity and its nervous system. Often it causes allergies in the form of skin rashes and itching. Formaldehyde also has a negative effect on the nail itself. It destroys the plate, makes it thinner and gradually leads to delamination. However, such an effect was revealed in the means in which the permissible rate of formaldehyde compounds was exceeded. If in a varnish formaldehyde is in an insignificantly small amount, it practically does not cause harm to health.
The only lack of funds with its content is “overdrying” of the nail plate.
To choose a harmless varnish, you need to carefully study the label. Secured funds will be marked 5-free or 3-free.Usually there is no such designation on cheap lacquers from inexpensive manufacturers.
Ways to Harm Reduction
Lacquer materials without toluene, camphor and formaldehyde are considered safe for health and nails. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers offer products without these components. If they are included in the usual products for manicure, you should listen to the recommendations to avoid the risks of nail problems.
- Do not apply varnish coating with formaldehyde permanently. It should take breaks. It is better not to go with varnish for more than 2-3 weeks. After this time, you need to give your nail a two-week rest.
- During breaks nails should be nourished. For these purposes it is necessary to rub them in various oils. Suitable unrefined vegetable, anise, olive, castor.
- To maintain the health of the nail plate is recommended to drink vitamin and mineral supplements. They will normalize the structure of the nails and prevent it from collapsing.
You can make a healthy manicure with special tools without formaldehyde. They often use other preservatives obtained by environmental methods. Their only negative is a more expensive price tag. What to choose - high-quality and safe products or cheap, but harmful, everyone decides for himself.
You can learn more about formaldehyde in nail polish in the video below.
