Is That Safe? Manicures And Nail Polish During Pregnancy

If you’re reading this, we guess that you might be thinking about heading to your nearest salon for a pamper day. Whether you’re used to getting a regular manicure or you’re thinking of treating yourself, who could blame you for indulging? If there’s ever a time you deserve some TLC, it’s now!

We’re taking a look a the best and safest way to care for, and color, your nails during pregnancy. Let’s get into it…

Is it safe to use nail polish during pregnancy?

The short answer is yes, it is generally considered safe to use nail polish whilst you are pregnant, but there are some things to consider…

During pregnancy, nails can become brittle and weakened - or they can become stronger and glossier depending on your hormones. If either of these occurs, it is important to be aware of how your new nails might react to different polishes and products you put on your hands.

On top of that, studies have shown that some chemicals that are used in nail polish can be absorbed into the body. However, the exact amount of absorption, and whether it is enough to have negative health effects, are not well established. Research does suggest that these chemicals are most harmful if you are using them in larger than normal amounts, and you’re regularly exposed to them in unventilated spaces.

If you want to avoid potentially harmful ingredients altogether, then look out for the ‘Toxic Trio’:

1. Dibutyl Phthalate or DBP: This is added to nail polish to make it more flexible and less prone to cracks, chips, and other annoyances. In a recent study, this chemical has been linked to increased asthma or eczema risk and in-utero development issues.

2. Formaldehyde: This chemical is used as a nail hardener, which you might think is perfect for combatting those brittle pregnancy nails! However, formaldehyde is a known irritant and has been shown to frequently cause nausea, skin problems, eye irritation. In severe cases with long and frequent exposure, this chemical has been linked to inflamed airways and cancers.

3. Toluene: This ingredient is used to keep the polish smooth while applying and removing bubbles from the product for an all-over flawless finish. However, it has been linked to symptoms of dizziness, headaches, nausea, and eye irritation. Some research has found that toluene can cause birth defects and developmental problems in children, however, you would need to be regularly, directly inhaling the fumes so these risks are more closely linked with substance abuse.

These ingredients have been banned throughout Europe for use in nail polish, however, for those buying in the US or online, look for nail polishes that are labeled 3-Free.

Is it safe to get a professional manicure during pregnancy?

Manicures and pedicures don’t just have to be for special occasions, these treatments might just be the pick-me-up you need after a stressful week. Like most beauty treatments, getting gel nails during pregnancy is considered safe as long as you take a few precautions:

1. Hygiene: Whether you’re pregnant or not, it is important to make sure you are going to salons with a high standard of cleaning and thorough disinfection processes - this means that they have had a sterile liquid wash, not a UV light fix as this has been shown to not kill harmful bacteria. Viral and bacterial nail infections are the last thing anyone wants, especially during pregnancy.

2. Ventilation: A lot of the chemicals listed previously can be found in a range of nail products in the salon so it is important to ensure the room has good air circulation to take get those toxins out of there (ask your manicurist to open a door or window!).

3. Skin sensitivity: During pregnancy, your skin sensitivities change and often increase. Be cautious of the products being used on your hands and keep an eye out for reactions like redness or itching.

Is it safe to get gel nails or acrylic nails while I am pregnant?

All of the considerations above apply to gel and acrylic nails too, but here are some extra things to be aware of…

What to know if you do want to get gel nails:

The use of acetone in the application of gel nails has also been shown to weaken nails over time, pair this with already-weak pregnancy nails and you might see cracks and splits forming in the nail bed.

What to know if you do want to get acrylic nails:

Once again, a lot of heavy work being done on weakened nails is not recommended, and the acetone used to remove these nails may cause some dizziness and nausea. Acetone can also damage your natural nails and lead to more cracking and unevenness during pregnancy. 

Manicures and nail polish during a planned c-section

Something you might not know is that if you are having a planned c-section (or any surgery), it’s often recommended that you remove any nail polish, gel nails, or acrylic nails! According to the NHS, this helps doctors to see your skin and nails to make sure your blood circulation is healthy.

Have a question about getting your nails done during pregnancy? What’s your favorite nail color for spring? Let us know in the comments!

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