Pretty Nails…Potent Cocktails

August 21, 2008 · 66 views · Filed Under Nail Care

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You don’t have to see one to know it’s there. One good breath will tell you that you are passing a nail salon. Better yet, hold your breath. Do you have any idea what that stuff is?Â

Nails salons have increased dramatically in number over the past few years and can be seen on every corner, it seems. Mostly women but sometimes men go to have their hands and feet exfoliated, massaged, buffed and polished. But, nail salons are extremely potent work places for the (mostly) women who work there.

Some of the most harmful ingredients in nail products include methyl methacrylate and ethyl methacrylate, formaldehyde, toluene, acetone, and phthalates. These chemicals may cause headaches, confusion, lack of attention span, skin rash, coughing and the list goes on. These are just the short-term symptoms. Not enough study has been done to give workers and consumers a clear picture of all the long-term affects these chemicals have on our health, although some research (PDF) has suggested that women of child-bearing years are putting themselves and their unborn children at great risk.

The very worst offenders are the nails that women have applied to their natural nail: acrylic nails. Although Health Canada advises us to not use methyl methacrylate (MMA), it is up to the consumer. Your clue that you are buying a potent cocktail of chemicals is the price of the nails. MMA is cheaper than it’s somewhat less potent sister, ethyl methacrylate. Health Canada advises Canadians not to use cosmetic nail preparations containing MMA.

If you really want those long nails and the only way to get them is to have them applied, then consider gels or wraps. Also, look for a nail salon that has downdraft tables, so the air is pulled down and away from you and the nail aesthetician such as they have at City Looks Salon and Spa in Winnipeg.

Even if you are not having nails applied, there are still many potent chemicals in many of the products, both polishes and removers. There are alternatives, however, such as water-based polish and natural nail polish remover. Try one of them, the next time you paint your nails. If you want to get a manicure or a pedicure, why not take some of these products with you and introduce them to your favourite nail salon.

Or be beach brave and go au natural.

Melody Owen writes for Ethical Consumer. Ethical Consumer aims to put the power back in the hands of Canadian consumers by providing information that allows for conscious and informed choices that will affect positive change in our world.

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