10 Health Risks to Consider When Working With Acrylic Nails

Do you love having beautiful, long nails? If you do, you’re not alone. For many of us, there’s nothing quite like having perfectly manicured nails to make us feel glamorous and polished. However, it’s essential to be aware of the health risks associated with artificial nails before you make an appointment with your nail technician.

Acrylic nails may seem like the perfect solution for those looking for long-lasting hold and easy maintenance, but the side effects can be concerning. Here are ten health risks to consider:

1. Chemical Exposure

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The chemicals used to apply acrylic nails include resins and formaldehyde, which have been shown to cause cancer. Long-term exposure to these chemicals through your nails can result in complete nail loss by destroying the nail matrix.

2. Nerve damage

Applying and removing acrylic nails can lead to numbness or tingling. When acrylic nails are applied, the chemicals and pressure can cause nerve damage, resulting in a tingling sensation, numbness, or even pain. This can be especially true if the nails are not applied correctly or if they are not removed properly.

3. Allergic Reactions

Acrylic nails can cause severe inflammation and thinning of nail beds. Some disreputable nail salons use a poisonous and illegal substance called MMA in their nail adhesives, which can cause permanent damage to your natural nails.

4. Poisonous adhesives

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Illegal adhesives used in some nail salons can cause lung and nail damage. Some nail salons may use illegal adhesives that contain toxic chemicals such as methyl methacrylate (MMA). These adhesives can cause damage to both the lungs and nails, leading to serious health problems. It’s essential to be aware of the type of adhesives used in your nail salon to ensure your safety.

5. Natural Nail Damage

Acrylics can cause breaks, infections, and loss of natural nails. The bond between an artificial nail and a natural nail bed is much stronger than between a real nail and a nail bed. If the nail rips from the nail bed, that gap provides a warm and moist environment for bacteria and fungi to grow, leading to infections.

6. Nail lifting

Acrylics can lift, trap bacteria, and cause further damage when removed. When acrylic nails are not applied correctly or left on for too long, they can start lifting from the natural nail bed. This can create a space between the acrylic and natural nail, which can trap bacteria and lead to infections. Additionally, when acrylic nails are forcefully removed, they can cause further damage to the natural nail, which can be painful and may require medical attention.

7. Rough Handling

Manicure and pedicure treatments can cause skin lesions and bacterial infections. Not great!

8. Bacterial Infections

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Cuts during nail treatments can cause paronychia, a bacterial infection of the hard skin surrounding your nail.

9. Fungal Infections

Pedicure footbaths can lead to bacterial infections. Nontuberculous mycobacteria, typically found in water, can cause a common bacterial infection associated with pedicure footbaths. Plantar warts are another skin condition that can develop at nail salons, thriving in warm, moist environments and contracted through cuts in the skin.

10. UV light exposure

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Drying nails under UV light can cause skin cancer and premature aging. Drying nails under UV light may seem harmless, but it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer and premature aging. The UV radiation emitted from these lamps can damage the skin on your hands, causing wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancer. Protecting your hands and skin from UV radiation is essential by wearing sunscreen or protective gloves while drying your nails.

What Should You Do?

To avoid these risks, it’s best to opt for natural nail polish that gives you a fantastic look without compromising your health. Some all-natural, eco-friendly nail polishes like SpaRitual and Priti NYC are 100% DBP-free and use a safe, effective plasticizing alternative. Their products are paraben-free, formaldehyde-free, toluene-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. Whenever possible, they use organic or wildcrafted essential oils in their formulas.

Suppose your nails need the strengthening that acrylics promise. In that case, there are natural supplements that you can try, such as Biotin, Silica, L-Cysteine, B-Complex vitamins, and pre-natal vitamins, which are rich in the vitamins your hair and nails need for extra TLC.

Apart from the chemicals used in nail salons, nail technicians can be rough on your nails during a manicure and pedicure, causing skin lesions. The most common infection caused by these cuts to your skin is paronychia, a bacterial infection of the hard skin surrounding your nail. It’s essential to ensure your nail technician follows proper sanitization protocols to avoid infections.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends asking a few key questions before your next appointment to ensure your safety. Ask if your nail technician has the necessary experience, license, process, and whether the stations are clean. You should also examine whether the nail technician washes his/her hands between clients and whether dirty tools are lying around. By asking these questions, you can help reduce your risk of infection and ensure that your nail salon experience is safe and enjoyable. Remember, your health should always come first, even when it comes to beauty treatments. So, take care of yourself and enjoy beautiful, healthy nails for years to come!

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