Nail care products can contain potentially harmful ingredients, so it is important to use them safely by following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. Nail products for both home and salon use are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must be safe for consumers when used according to directions on the label or in the usual or customary way. Nail products intended to treat medical problems, such as nail fungus, are classified as drugs and require FDA approval. Cosmetic nail care products must include any instructions or warnings needed to use them safely.
Some common ingredients in nail products include:
- Formaldehyde: a colorless gas used as a preservative and hardening agent in some nail polishes and hardeners. It can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and is a known carcinogen.
- Toluene: a solvent used to help dissolve other ingredients and create a smooth finish. It can cause headaches, dizziness, and skin irritation.
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): a plasticizer used to make nail polish more flexible. It has been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animal studies and is banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union.
- Camphor: a plasticizer used to make nail polish more flexible. It can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Some nail products can catch fire easily, so they should not be exposed to flames or heat sources. Some ingredients can be harmful if swallowed, so these products should never be consumed by any person or pet. Nail technicians who work with these products may be exposed to biological and chemical hazards, such as exposure to blood and infectious agents, and long-term and short-term exposure to chemicals. It is important to replace products with ingredients of concern with a less harmful product where possible and practice good manual material handling/lifting.
