Artificial nails, also known as fake nails, false nails, acrylic nails, nail extensions, or nail enhancements, are extensions placed over fingernails as fashion accessories. They can be shaped, cut, and filed into a variety of shapes, including square, squared oval/"squoval", rounded, almond, ballerina/coffin, mountain peak, lipstick, and stiletto. Nail tips are made of a strong bendable material called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and are attached to the natural nail to extend its length and provide room for more nail designs. They can come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, but the most popular ones are usually clear or white. They only last for 7–10 days.
Many nail products contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. By law, nail products sold in the United States must be safe for consumers when used according to directions on the label, or in the usual or customary way. Formaldehyde is an ingredient in some nail hardeners and nail polishes. It may be listed on the product label as formaldehyde or by different names, such as “formalin” and methylene glycol.” In nail hardeners, formaldehyde bonds with the keratin that occurs naturally in the nails, making the nails harder. Using these nail hardeners often, however, may make nails brittle and more likely to break or peel.
The EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic database gives Revlon a score of 3 and 6, which is in the moderately hazardous category. However, with ingredients like aluminum powder, it’s still on our no-go list. Some non-toxic nail polish brands are 10-free, meaning they are free of 10 of the most harmful leading polish ingredients. Other brands are 12-free, meaning they are free of 12 harmful toxins that other nail polishes use.
The chemicals found in artificial nail products do not stay in your body very long. There is no evidence that wearing artificial nails for a short time results in long-term harm to health. However, nail salon workers face exposure to other chemicals used, such as toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and formaldehyde.
Some positive aspects of artificial nails include the ability to have longer nails and more intricate designs. However, some negative aspects include the potential for harmful ingredients and the need for frequent maintenance and replacement.
