You can paint your nails during. Can pregnant women paint their nails with varnish or shellac? What dangerous substances does nail polish contain?

Pregnancy is that mysterious and mysterious period in the life of every woman, which has long been shrouded in many myths and superstitions. It is during these 9 months that every woman begins to think not only about herself, but also about the baby. At the same time, caring for the baby is much higher than caring for yourself. This is the main reason that during pregnancy a woman thinks about the advisability of using and performing certain actions that she previously performed without even thinking about it.

It is this kind of tender and touching attitude towards the baby that makes it possible to become the mother of a healthy child. But are all prohibitions justified? After all, you can’t give up everything you loved and lived for for 9 months. Very often, such refusals from everything familiar can also negatively affect the mood, and, accordingly, the psychological health of a woman. Therefore, you only need to prohibit yourself from what is really prohibited, and you just need to treat other issues with more caution.

These principles should be followed if we are talking about making your nails look beautiful. The procedure of applying nail polish can become somewhat dangerous for a woman if you approach it without caution. Otherwise, the result of painting your nails will only be self-satisfaction and a good mood, because a woman always remains a woman who wants to be a queen.

Harmfulness and harmlessness

In order to answer the question “Is it possible to paint your nails during pregnancy,” it is worth fully understanding the chemistry of this process: the components of the products for applying, fixing and removing nail polish are represented by chemicals that are not useful when they enter the human body. But the question is that the polish applied to the nails does not have such adhesive ability to be absorbed into the nail plate and enter the blood. The varnish penetrates and is fixed exclusively on the surface of the keratinized plate. Thus, it is impossible for the substance to enter the body.

The only danger that arises when applying nail polish is the penetration of chemical vapors when inhaled.

The main hazardous substances of the materials are:

acetone– a product used in the manufacture of nail polish removers – the vapors can adversely affect the nervous system if inhaled;
toluene and formaldehyde– substances used in the production of varnishes provide the fixing and distributing properties of varnishes – vapors can cause irritation to the eyes, nasopharynx and lungs.

From here you can draw conclusions, using which you can give yourself a manicure with a beautiful finish without harm to yourself and the health of the baby:

use higher quality varnishes, which will ensure their longer use and minimize the need to frequently repeat the application procedure;
use varnishes without toluene and formaldehyde or minimize their use (no more than once a week);
open windows and doors before starting the varnish application procedure, perform manicure in a well-ventilated area;
do not use acetone-containing nail polish removers– there are a significant number of such products that additionally contain oils, which minimizes the aggressive effect of the product on the nail plate;
When drying your nails, do not blow on your hands., which may cause you to actively capture harmful fumes. Replace this procedure with the usual stretching of your arms in front of you;
After the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and plenty of water.. This way you will prevent the accidental entry of particles of harmful substances into the body with food;
When approaching your due date, give preference to short nails without any coating, because every minute can become the one when you have to get ready for the maternity hospital. Long nails are the cause of scratches on the delicate skin of children, and crumbling grains of varnish, which will be difficult to refresh within the maternity hospital, can cause poisoning of the baby if they enter the little one’s body.

Options for a “pregnant” manicure

Keep in mind that in our time progress is not long in coming, including in the beauty industry. Now, having weighed all the pros and cons, pros and cons, you can choose the technology that you like most, will be the most practical and as harmless as possible.

The main technologies that are offered in modern technologies are:

Applying regular varnish. The disadvantages of the procedure are its fragility and the possibility of inhaling vapors of harmful chemicals. If all the rules given above are followed, the procedure is completely safe.
Shellac coating. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of the procedure, as well as a longer period of perception of the intense odor of the solvent, which affects the coating to remove it. It should be taken into account that the smell of shellac is not intense, and its durability is much higher, and therefore the need to frequently repeat the application procedure disappears by itself.
Nail extension. This procedure is least recommended for pregnant women. The undoubted advantage of this method is the length of the period of having an impeccable manicure. But along with this, the process requires the use of very harmful substances, which are distinguished by their volatility. Also, do not forget that the process of performing such a manicure is quite long, so the period of exposure of a woman’s body to these substances during the process of nail extensions is enough for some poisoning of the body.
Application of biogel. This method is recommended most often, since the process involves using natural products that do not have a particularly aggressive effect on both the nail plate itself and the organs involved in the breathing process. It is worth remembering that this particular method allows you not only to get a beautiful color on your nails, but also to strengthen them, which is incredibly important for pregnant women.

Considering that most pregnant women suffer from a lack of calcium in the body and hormonal changes, the condition of the nails often deteriorates greatly. Therefore, during this period you need to pay attention to your nails in order to preserve their beauty and health:

give up nail care methods that involve filing one or more layers of the nail plate;
give preference to natural remedies, excluding strong chemicals;
use various oils and special emulsions to strengthen the nail plate;
eat foods rich in minerals and vitamins;
use vitamin complexes for pregnant women, which contain many useful substances and minimize hormonal changes;
if you are prone to allergic reactions, avoid any additional methods of influencing your nails;
Before performing a manicure, pay special attention to sterilizing all instruments that will be used in the process.

During pregnancy, many women are dissatisfied with their appearance: a plump figure, age spots, a far from graceful gait... And as “compensation,” they begin to intensively care for their hands and nails. At first glance, a manicure is a completely harmless decoration. Could it really affect the health of the pregnant woman and baby in some way? Unfortunately, both manicures and pedicures can be dangerous for the expectant mother.

No, no one objects to well-groomed hands. The question is what means to use. Pregnancy is a condition almost inextricably linked with a deficiency of vitamins, micro- and macroelements. This is why the condition of many women’s nails deteriorates during this period. Therefore, you should be especially careful when choosing nail care products: they should not contain potentially dangerous ingredients and worsen the condition of the nail.

The modern cosmetics industry produces a great variety of varnishes, nail enamels, various bases and fixatives. But not all of them can be used by pregnant women. Why? It's all in the composition. Unfortunately, not every woman pays attention to whether the bottle of varnish contains a description of the substances used in a particular varnish or by a specific company. Moreover, we sometimes strive to buy cheaper polish, blithely believing that our nails can withstand a lot. But in vain. The fact is that many varnishes use substances that, in principle, can have a toxic effect on the developing fetus and cause an allergic reaction. Let us list the main ones, briefly indicating their properties, which manifest themselves upon regular contact with large quantities of this substance.

Formaldehyde(synonym - formalin /formalinum/, formaldehyde solution). Refers to film-forming agents, added to improve the binding of the varnish film to the surface of the nail. It itself is a liquid with a pungent odor; when inhaled, it enters the body through the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs. It has a strong effect on the central nervous system, causing headaches, palpitations, and can potentially cause organic damage to the central nervous system. Theoretically, with regular contact with formaldehyde, the risk of pregnancy pathology, developmental anomalies and allergization of the fetus increases; this substance may also weaken the child's immune system.

Toluene(methyl benzol/). It is a strong solvent, helps the polish dry quickly and stay on the nail longer. It enters the body through the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Toluene is considered to have the potential to cause fetal harm; has a carcinogenic effect.

Camphor/camphor/. Essential oil is volatile and enters the human body through the respiratory tract. Widely used for medical purposes, not recommended for use during pregnancy. Used as an aromatherapy agent that acts on the cardiovascular system, in extreme situations it can provoke an increase in a pregnant woman.

So, dear ladies, when buying varnish, pay attention to the presence of a label with its composition.

When caring for nails, nail polish removers are also used. What to do with them? Of course, acetone is the best way to remove nail polish, but it is the most harmful not only for the nails of a pregnant woman. Acetone is a fairly strong solvent with a distinct, specific odor that can have a toxic effect on the central nervous system. It dries out the nail excessively, washing away the protective fatty film. In turn, this causes overdrying of the nail and, as a result, increased fragility.

What to do? Nowadays, the cosmetics industry produces various non-acetone nail polish removers: liquids, milk, wipes, etc. Moreover, many of them are enriched with vitamin complexes, calcium and creatine, which strengthen nails.

Maybe then get your nails done? It is modern, fashionable, beautiful, and lasts a long time. Everything is correct... But cosmetologists do not recommend performing such procedures during pregnancy, especially using acrylic technology. The fact is that the materials used in nail extensions are not harmless to a pregnant woman. For this, aggressive solvents are used, and the polymer itself, which forms the nail, forms an unsafe chemical “cloud” when polished. In addition, nails, the condition of which often worsens during pregnancy, will suffer additional damage from extensions.

So draw your own conclusions, dear women. Of course, all of the above does not mean that during pregnancy you should completely abandon manicure or pedicure. Just buy varnishes that do not contain the above components. Not only varnishes that do not contain harmful substances have appeared on the cosmetic products market, but also entire series of cosmetic products designed specifically for pregnant women. In addition, when purchasing any cosmetics, look to see if there is an inscription on its packaging: “hypoallergenic” or “approved for use during pregnancy.”

Marina Sencha,
head polyclinic of the treatment center "Euromed"

Article from the April issue of the magazine.

A pregnant woman simply radiates harmony and happiness and, in general, does not need additional tricks to be even more beautiful. However, each of us has our own habits in caring for the body and face, and the use of various decorative products brings variety to life. Vague guesses about the dangers of chemical ingredients in cosmetics are very worrying for expectant mothers. And if everything is more or less clear regarding creams and lotions - they are absorbed into the skin and definitely affect our health, then the question is: “Is it harmful for pregnant women to paint their nails?” often remains open, because the nails have a different structure. So is it worth giving up manicures and nail polish while carrying a child?

Can pregnant women paint their nails with nail polish?

Women who are afraid to paint their nails during pregnancy most often cannot even explain what exactly scares them. So why, theoretically and practically, should pregnant women not paint their nails? As for the penetration of varnish into the nail plate, let us dispel doubts right away - this is not the danger. Substances applied to the surface of the nail can indeed be harmful to the expectant mother and her baby, but they enter the body through the respiratory system. Therefore, you need to be careful when choosing varnish and remover. Make sure your nail care products do not contain:

1) Formaldehyde . This substance is added to the varnish for better adhesion to the nail plate. However, formaldehyde is a potent poison that, when it enters the body through mucous membranes, causes damage to the central nervous system, reproductive system, and respiratory organs. It is included in the list of harmful and dangerous substances that pollute the air and has permissible concentration limits.

As for expectant mothers, regular exposure to formaldehyde can cause pathologies during pregnancy and abnormal development of the fetus, contribute to the susceptibility of the pregnant child to allergies and worsen his immunity.

2) Toluene . Toluene, or methylbenzene, is a solvent that is added to the varnish to quickly dry it and fix it on the nail. It is a carcinogen and can cause harm to the expectant mother and baby.

3) Acetone . It is part of many nail polish removers and is a strong solvent. Possesses toxic and carcinogenic effects; harmful to the lungs, liver and kidneys. It is also undesirable to use nail polish removers with acetone because they destroy the natural fatty coating of the nail, thereby weakening it, making it brittle and layered.

A potentially dangerous component of nail polishes is also camphor oil . Despite its natural origin, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy. The strong odor of this volatile essential oil can cause increased uterine tone.

As you can see, the answer to the question: “Can pregnant women paint their nails?” ambiguous. There is no categorical ban on manicures and pedicures, but the expectant mother should take the choice of varnishes and other nail care products seriously. Do not skimp on your health and the well-being of your unborn child, trying to take what is cheaper. Be sure to read the ingredients of the product you are purchasing - it should not contain the ingredients listed above. Currently, there is a huge range of safe, hypoallergenic cosmetic products, including those designed specifically for pregnant women.

If you do use varnishes with formaldehyde and toluene, do so as little as possible. In addition, when applying varnish, the room should be thoroughly ventilated; There is no need to blow so that it dries faster - this contributes to the inhalation of harmful fumes. After removing nail polish, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining chemicals.

And if someone tells you that pregnant women should not paint their nails, do not rush to argue or, conversely, throw away jars of nail polish. There is some truth in these words, but there is no need to rush to extremes and let yourself go. A neat manicure will only benefit the expectant mother, give her confidence and lift her spirits. The only exception is, perhaps, the period immediately before childbirth. You should still go to the maternity hospital with your nails cut short and without polish on them. This rule is quite reasonable: postpartum care for yourself and your newborn is not very compatible with long nails and crumbling varnish. It will be difficult to update your manicure in a hospital setting, and will you even care?

Photobank Lori

Many chemicals used in manicures... Of course, they do not enter the bloodstream from the surface of the nails, but in order not to inhale their vapors, you need to ventilate the room well.
Choose nail polish remover without acetone; do not get carried away with nail extensions.
If these rules are followed, it is quite safe for expectant mothers to paint their nails. However, closer to the day of birth, keep your nails short and bare.

Does nail polish affect the body of mother and child?

Of course, any nail polish is not a useful substance. It may contain toluene, formaldehyde and camphor. All of them enter the body through the respiratory tract and are very harmful in high concentrations.

For this reason, women think about whether it is possible to paint their nails during pregnancy. Fortunately, during the time you are doing a manicure, a large amount of these substances will not enter the bloodstream, so there is no reason to prohibit this procedure for expectant mothers. Proper manicure is not dangerous to the health of the expectant mother, but there are still several features that need to be taken into account.

What you should pay attention to

Firstly, you need to remember that with the onset of pregnancy, the body changes, and this affects the condition and structure of the nails. For some women it improves, nails grow faster and become stronger, but many, on the contrary, note a deterioration and face new problems, such as brittleness, dryness and splitting.

Therefore, it is worth paying attention to and protecting them as reliably as possible, taking care of the presence of all necessary microelements (especially calcium) and vitamins in your diet.

Secondly, it is important to carefully study the composition of all the products you use and not opt for cheap varnishes. Also, carefully consider the choice of nail polish remover and the presence of acetone among the ingredients, which affects the nervous system. Use medications that do not contain this substance.

Thirdly, such popular procedures as nail extensions and all kinds of ways to strengthen them should be treated with caution, because they are carried out using allergenic materials and products. This is especially important in the first months of pregnancy, when all the systems and organs of the unborn baby are being formed.

Try to choose proven and high-quality nail products that do not contain harmful substances, check their composition, give preference to reliable manufacturers and do your manicure in a well-ventilated area.

Why is it not customary to come to the maternity hospital with a manicure?

Maternity hospital is an institution with its own rather strict rules. It should be remembered that at any moment the condition of the expectant mother may change: it is possible that it will be necessary to perform an emergency operation, or transfer the woman to the intensive care unit.

In many cases, sensors (for example, analyzing the oxygen level in the blood) are attached to the patient's fingers. After giving birth, a woman will need to wash herself frequently (after each visit to the toilet) and care for her newborn. Long or varnished nails interfere with all this. It will be difficult to renew your manicure in a maternity hospital, and the young mother will begin to spread particles of nail polish falling off around her.

The closer the due date, the higher the likelihood that it is on this night that you will have to give birth. Prepare for this in advance, because you don’t want to have to deal with removing nail polish at the last moment. Therefore, upon reaching full-term pregnancy, it is better to refuse manicures and cut your nails short.

cleanly dressed. Pregnancy is not a reason why a woman can deviate from these rules. Many, for example, stop cutting their hair, despite the unsightly growth of gray hair, guided by the sign that the child will have bad hair, and the fact that a pregnant woman begins to look bad and her previously gorgeous hair or a well-groomed haircut begins to look frightening does not bother her much. Modern specialists offer a variety of gentle cosmetics and scalp care products, dyes and tonics, the use of which does not affect the health of the expectant mother. Does the same apply to nails?

Well-groomed, that is, neatly trimmed, medium-sized nails filed and with the help of a special product, processed or cut cuticles - an ideal manicure. Of course, out of habit, you want to paint your nails with varnish during pregnancy and emphasize their beauty. But many women refuse nail polish during pregnancy, limiting care only to manicures and pedicures. There is nothing wrong with this, but still, let's find out whether pregnant women can paint their nails.

Is it harmful for pregnant women to paint their nails?

Painting your nails during pregnancy is not prohibited; the main thing is to pay attention to the manufacturers and composition. Nowadays, a huge number of varnishes, fixatives, bases, and nail care products that do not contain harmful substances are produced. Therefore, during pregnancy, nails should be painted only with products whose composition you have studied and decided that these manufacturers do not want to harm you.

Many varnishes contain substances that can harm not only you, but also the unborn baby; they can have a toxic effect on the fetus, cause allergies, and intoxication.

Why shouldn't pregnant women paint their nails?

Here is a list of substances that should not be included in the varnish:

The most dangerous substance is formaldehyde; it is added to improve the film properties of the varnish and helps it bind to the nail. If it enters through the respiratory system, it causes severe headaches, increased heart rate, and with prolonged exposure it can cause damage to the central nervous system. With the systematic use of varnish, which contains formaldehyde, the risk of pregnancy pathology, fetal allergization, developmental anomalies increases, and its vapor also reduces the body's protective functions.
Toluene helps varnish dry faster, which is why it is actively used in the production of varnishes. Toluene vapor also causes harm to the fetus, as does camphor, which can cause increased uterine tone.

Nail fungus during pregnancy - treatment

It often happens that when pregnancy occurs, a woman does not have time to cure nail fungus or acquires it during pregnancy. It should be remembered that pregnancy and are not compatible concepts, therefore, it needs to be treated urgently.

To treat nail fungus in pregnant women, you can use Fungazol ointment or Mikoseptin ointment. You can cure nail fungus in pregnant women by making baths with hot water and laundry soap. This procedure will also help if your nails become flaky during pregnancy. You should also definitely change the iron nail file to a glass one.

So, we can conclude that pregnant women can paint their nails only using gentle care products; before applying varnish, it is advisable to treat the nails with a cream to strengthen the nails or varnish to restore the nail plate.