It is a common knowledge that you should not use nail polish very often because it will dry up your nails and turn them yellow. Plus, it seems that this cosmetic product is even more dangerous as it can cause serious damage to our health.
The danger of this product lies in its toxicity. Nail polish contains a variety of components which can seriously harm your health. These 3 are the most toxic ones:
Toluene – a liquid that is responsible for giving the nails a nice smooth finish while preserving the pigment. But, Toluene causes serious disorders to the reproductive system and affects the central nervous system. Nausea, weakness, fainting, and headaches are some of its symptoms.
Formaldehyde – a gas that is colorless and increases the nail polish’s shelf life. However, if you suffer from allergies, the mere contact with this substance can bring about dermatitis or cause severe chemical burns to your skin. Also, it is a trigger of convulsions, heart rhythm disorders, and in some cases – cancer.
Dibutyl Phthalate – this chemical component gives the nail polish its fragrance. But, its presence is dangerous because it causes diseases of the respiratory tract, gynecological diseases, and endocrine disorders.
Scientists performed a study observing a group of 24 women. They have noticed elevated levels of diphenyl phosphate (a derivate from triphenyl phosphate that is created in the metabolic process) in the participants only 6 hours after they applied nail polish.
And 10 hours after they painted their nails, the levels of diphenyl phosphate rose 7 times above normal in the bodies of all women. These results are really disturbing and alarming.
So, which nail polish is safe to use?
Some nail polish bottles are specially marked as:
“5-Free”– this means that the nail polish is free from formaldehyde and its derivatives such as toluene, camphor, or dibutyl phthalates.
“3-Free” – this mark means that the nail polish does not contain the 3 of its most toxic components: toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and formaldehyde.
Therefore, don’t forget to pay special attention to the ingredients before buying the nail polish because your health is in question!
SOURCES:
HTTPS://DAVIDSUZUKI.ORG/QUEEN-OF-GREEN/DIRTY-DOZEN-DIBUTYL-PHTHALATE/
HTTPS://BRIGHTSIDE.ME/INSPIRATION-HEALTH/WHAT-HAPPENS-TO-YOUR-BODY-10-HOURS-AFTER-YOU-APPLY-NAIL-POLISH-327910/
HTTPS://WWW.ATSDR.CDC.GOV/PHS/PHS.ASP?ID=159&TID=29
HTTPS://WWW.ATSDR.CDC.GOV/TOXFAQS/TF.ASP?ID=219&TID=39
