Toxic Ingredients Commonly Found in Nail Polish

Nail polish is a beloved beauty staple for many women. However, it's important to be aware of the potential presence of harmful toxins in your nail polish. These toxic chemicals can be detrimental to your health, so it's crucial to be informed and cautious when indulging in this beauty ritual.

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Nail painting is a beloved hobby for many women. However, few are aware of the potential health risks posed by the seemingly harmless nail polishes. This article will shed light on these toxic ingredients, empowering you to make informed choices when selecting and using nail polish.

1Color Durability Ingredients in Nail Polish

Triphenyl Phosphate

Nail polish, despite its innocent appearance, can pose health risks due to the presence of Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), a substitute for phthalate used to enhance color durability, adhesion, and flexibility. However, TPHP has a pungent odor and can cause dizziness and nausea when inhaled directly, along with potential long-term neurological impacts.

Recent studies reveal that TPHP can penetrate the body within 10-14 hours of nail polish application, affecting reproductive capabilities in animals and posing risks of weight gain, obesity, and hormonal imbalances in humans.

Toluene

Toluene, a commonly used solvent in nail polishes, contributes to enhanced color durability, longevity, and shine. Nonetheless, it poses health risks by impacting the central nervous system, brain, liver, and kidneys when inhaled.

More severely, toluene can induce reproductive issues in women, particularly endangering the fetus during pregnancy.

Color Durability Ingredients in Nail Polish

2Nail Hardening Ingredients

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a prevalent chemical in the industry, commonly used in the manufacture of adhesives, plastics, and paints. It is also found in gel nail polishes, serving as a hardening and disinfecting agent. However, formaldehyde poses significant health risks, especially with prolonged exposure.

Some of the adverse effects of formaldehyde include brittle and fragile nails, respiratory irritation, and even cancer.

DBP

DBP, or Dibutyl Phthalate, is a ubiquitous chemical used in various products, including nail polish. It contributes to nail hardening and enhances the shine of the polish. DBP is also employed in plastic and paint production to modify the material’s properties, making them harder, more flexible, and transparent.

Nevertheless, DBP poses health risks, including endocrine system disruption, reduced fertility in both men and women, and metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Nail Hardening Ingredients

3Nail Polish Removers

Benzene

Benzene is a common solvent in cleaning agents and nail polishes, posing health risks to users and manicurists. This volatile solvent rapidly evaporates and enters the body through inhalation, affecting the liver, bone marrow, and accumulating in fatty tissues.

Prolonged exposure to benzene can lead to neurological symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, lack of focus, confusion, and even hallucinations.

By infiltrating the bone marrow, benzene inhibits blood cell production, resulting in anemia, weakened immunity, and an increased risk of hemorrhage. More severely, benzene can induce blood disorders, rendering the bone marrow incapable of producing sufficient blood cells.

Acetone

A crucial ingredient in nail polish removers, this solvent has a potent odor and evaporates swiftly. Inhaling large amounts can severely damage the lungs, inducing dizziness and loss of balance.

Additionally, this solvent can make nails brittle, thin, prone to scratches, and fragile. Direct skin contact may cause itching and severe dryness.

Nail Polish Removers

While nail polish offers convenience and popularity, it may contain harmful solvents. Therefore, opt for natural or minimally-processed nail polish removers to prioritize your health.

Source: Sức khỏe và Đời sống Newspaper

Frequently asked questions

Common toxic ingredients in nail polishes include formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), camphor, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), parabens, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, while toluene can cause neurological damage and DBP has been linked to reproductive and developmental issues. Camphor can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, while TPHP is a potential endocrine disruptor. Parabens and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives can also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Yes, water-based nail polishes are a non-toxic alternative. They are free from the harmful chemicals typically found in traditional nail polishes and are a safer option, particularly for children and pregnant women.

Ensure the room is well-ventilated when painting your nails, and consider wearing a mask to avoid inhaling fumes. Also, try to avoid getting nail polish on your skin, and always use a base coat to create a barrier between your nails and the polish.

Check the ingredient list on the nail polish bottle, and avoid products containing the toxic chemicals mentioned above. Look for brands that are marketed as ‘non-toxic’, ‘5-free’, ‘7-free’, or ’10-free’, indicating they are free from a standard list of harmful chemicals.
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