At the moment, gel polish has virtually replaced any other types of coating on the nail plates. This is a very popular tool with which you can quickly put your nails in order. And they will be beautiful and well-groomed for a long time.
Some girls are worried about whether the manicure is harmful with gel polish. Let's try to answer this question.
Composition
Women begin to think about the negative effect of the coating on the nail plate, who practically do not take a break between application. So is nail gel polish harmful? In order to answer this question, you need to study what substances are contained in it. In gel polish must be present:
- Photoinitiators. They help the coating harden under UV rays.
- Film former. A component that forms a film on the surface of the coating.
- Thinners (acrylic additives) - are responsible for the correct consistency.
- Pigments. Dyes that give the desired color.
- Chemical additives that improve the characteristics of gel polish.
The last paragraph is particularly worrying. The rest of the composition is the necessary base that is in every gel polish. While various enhancing additives can be any. And the answer to the question of whether gel polish is harmful will depend on which components are included in the composition.
How to apply
To date, applying a gel coating on nails is the most popular procedure in nail salons. Whether gel polish is harmful or not, but women still want to have beautiful, well-groomed nails. The procedure is carried out as follows:
- Good manicure with cuticle removal and polishing irregularities.
- Remove the top layer from the nail with a soft file.
- Remove all particles from the plate and wipe the nails with an alcohol-free lint-free cloth.
- Apply the base coat - one big drop in the middle, and then gently stretch it in all directions with the approach under the cuticle and side surfaces.
- Cover with a liquid colored layer.
- Dry each coat separately under a UF or LED lamp.
- Apply a protective top coat.
- Remove the sticky surface with alcohol wipes.
- Moisturize your hands and plates with nutritious oil.
The procedure looks simple enough, but most girls prefer to go to the salon rather than do the coating on their own or with the masters at home. The thing is that the initial purchase of materials will cost a significant amount, because you have to buy the basics, different types of coatings, special lamps and much more. In addition, the master in the salon hones his skills daily and improves, and if you apply the coating yourself, you can get ugly blots instead of a smooth and even layer.
Advantages of gel polish
Is gel polish harmful? This question excites many women, since I do not want to refuse such a manicure. Gel polish has a lot of advantages, namely:
- Strengthening a healthy nail plate.
- Lack of specific chemical smell.
- Relatively safe base composition.
- There is no risk of applying too thick or uneven layers.
- No need to file away the nail plate.
The manicure will remain in excellent condition for at least three weeks. It will not fade or chip.
The negative sides of gel polish
This coverage has its negative aspects:
- The high cost of equipment and consumables does not allow experimenting with gel polish at home. For the same reason, the procedure in the cabin will be costly.
- The gel coating is very difficult to remove, despite the fact that it must dissolve well. An experienced 10-finger master will need about half an hour, that is, three minutes per nail. At home, you have to spend twice as much.
- After the coating has been removed, you can see that the nail plate is damaged or yellowed. This reduces the protective function of the nail and can lead to infection by a fungus or bacteria.
- Allergic reactions are possible.
- Due to changes in the woman’s body during pregnancy, the gel coating on the nail plates does not hold or crack. And in general, its use is not recommended.
- Fast growing strong legs - this is the verdict for gel polish. Coverage will need frequent adjustments, and in general, it will not look good.
Harmful substances
Is gel polish harmful? It depends on which components were used in the composition. Some of them are very harmful, and cause serious problems, so they can not be applied even once, not to mention long-term use. Gel polish may contain:
- Formaldehyde. An excellent preservative that increases the shelf life of the product. But it penetrates the blood and accumulates in the human body. It has a strong carcinogenic effect, it is able to provoke a strong allergy and the destruction of the nail plates.
- Toluene. Negatively affects the nervous system. May provoke nausea, headaches, and other signs of toxic poisoning. It provokes allergic reactions.
- Dibutyl phthalate. The substance negatively affects the nervous system and internal organs. Exposure may manifest as changes in the skin.
Is gel polish harmful? If it contains any of these components or similar substances, then it is definitely harmful.
How do they work
In fact, even if there are no particularly toxic components in the coating, it can still be dangerous. But not for human health in general, but only for nails. Prolonged use of gel polish without interruption can lead to the following problems:
- yellowing;
- tuberosity of the nail plate;
- stratification of nails;
- dullness;
- thinning;
- the appearance of large and small cracks;
- fragility.
So is nail gel polish harmful? According to the opinions of ordinary people and specialists, this coating can cause such damage with prolonged wear. The thing is that you need to rest your fingernail. And the periods when the plate is covered with gel, you need to alternate with periods of rest, intense nutrition and hydration.
What else can harm when using gel polish
Is it harmful to make a manicure with gel polish? Yes, if you use low-quality materials and do not give your nails a rest. However, with this procedure it is possible to do harm in other ways.
For example, a nail may suffer from careless peeling. Usually it is removed by the master in the cabin with special solvents. They should also be used when removing the coating at home, and experts recommend taking a solvent of the same brand as gel polish. However, some girls cannot independently remove the gel, and instead of seeking help, they scrape their nails with something sharp. After such a plate they look awful.
Another example of indirect health damage is the use of UV lamps. They are contraindicated in certain diseases, for example, oncology. But, as a rule, when fixing the gel, this effect is minimal and does not bring any harm.
How to reduce harm
Now you know if gel polish is harmful. In order to make it safer, you need to use the following recommendations:
- Do not use gel polish if the nail plates are affected by a fungus.
- A gel polish with a specific chemical odor is a poor choice. It is better to throw it away, as it may contain hazardous substances.
- Consumables should be thrown away immediately after the expiration date. For a closed bottle, this is three years. For open - exactly two.
- Weak, thin, dull and exfoliating nails are best left uncoated with gel polish, as their condition worsens greatly. It is better to first undergo a course of treatment to strengthen and restore nails, and then make a decorative coating.
- You should always give your nails a rest after gel polish.
- On the area near the nail plate you need to constantly apply oils and creams.
- During pregnancy and lactation, it is better to refuse the gel coating.
- The lamp should be checked periodically. You also need to adhere to the schedule for changing bulbs. Otherwise, it may be harmful to health.
- The yellowness of the nail plate indicates that the nail was overexposed under the lamp. This indicates the inexperience of the master.