Nail Care Safety - Dr. Michelle Lam Power Point & Script

Nail Care Product and Equipment Safety Concerns

Nail care products are a category of self-care that is unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for content but are required to be safe for use when used as intended. This leads to products that contain harmful ingredients that can be hazardous to our health. Some of the harmful ingredients include acetone, ethyl acetate, formaldehyde, methacrylic acid, quaternary ammonium compounds, and toluene. These ingredients can cause systemic effects beyond local skin irritation, such as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, cause breathing problems, and even cause fetal harm if the product is used by a pregnant woman.

                  When choosing a nail product, patients should be advised to look at ingredient lists and choose more natural products. Ingredients to avoid include methacrylic acid, and the ‘toxic 3’ which includes toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. When using nail care products, proper ventilation is a key factor in reducing irritation of the eyes and airways. Opening windows and turning on fans are a great way to improve air circulation. After use, products should be closed tightly to prevent leakage and do not pour these products down the sink or toilet. It is also important to wash hands before and after use to remove any product from the skin during application to the nail.

                  Nail curing and drying lamps are another aspect of nail care that can cause harm to the body. These lamps are used to cure gel and acrylic nails using an LED lamp, which emits ultraviolet (UV) light, which can be carcinogenic with chronic exposure. UV light is also responsible for photoaging and can cause wrinkling of the skin around the nail beds. Additionally, certain medications can increase a patient’s sensitivity to UV light, thus increasing the risk for skin cancer and photoaging. These medications include antibiotics such as tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, antifungals, antihistamines, statins, thiazide diuretics, and oral contraceptives. When using UV lamps, patients should be advised to wear UV absorbing gloves that cover the skin on the hands, apply SPF greater than 15, and do not use the lamp more than 10 minutes per hand.

                  The lack of regulation regarding nail care products such as polishes, conditioners, lacquers and equipment can have a negative impact on our overall health and it is important to be mindful in product selection and implementing preventive techniques.