Nail care products, including nail polish, may contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. Nail products intended to treat medical problems, such as nail fungus, are drugs, while nail products that are cosmetics must have a list of ingredients if they are sold at retail, even if they are labeled "For professional use only".
Nail polish formulations consist mainly of a film-forming polymer dissolved in a volatile organic solvent, with nitrocellulose being the most common polymer. Some nail polishes may contain toxic ingredients, such as phthalates, which are used as plasticizers to make the product pliable and soft.
Different types of nail polish include matte, duochrome, jelly or translucent, magnetic, crackled, glass-flecked, holographic, and prismatic micro-glitter or shimmer. Gel polish is painted on and then “cured” under a lamp, which dries and hardens the polish almost instantly. Powder dip polish entails application of a bonding polish that serves as an adhesive for the polish, followed by a finely milled acrylic powder and an activator.
Positive aspects of nail care products include their ability to enhance the appearance of nails, while negative aspects include the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals, which can have serious health effects. When using nail care products, it is important to choose safer products with the least hazardous chemicals, read product labels and SDSs, and follow manufacturers instructions.
