Is Nail Polish Safe During Pregnancy?

When it comes to worrying about dying our hair while pregnant, shouldn’t we also be concerned if is nail polish safe during pregnancy too? The answer to that is certainly yes. As the rise of natural approaches become trendier,  it is no wonder why so many pregnant women are opting for safer nail polish. It is a way for them to feel sexy and safe at the same time. However, some may not even try painting their nails at all, which is fine too. But do you really need to sacrifice that feminine feeling?

My answer is no, and here is my secret.

Do Nails Breathe?

One of the first questions I personally asked myself about this was if nails actually breathe or not. The answer is not quite, since nails thrive on your bloodstream to survive, not air per se. But the solid information is that mainstream nail polish is known to dry nails out over time, leaving them brittle. I personally advocate for this one because I noticed how wearing nail polish for a prolonged time makes my nails lose strength, fragile, and sensitive.

Choosing the Right Nail Polish

Now for us pregnant ladies, how can we get those beautiful nails without the nasty chemicals or side effects? The answer is finding the right products both in your home and requesting them when you are in a salon setting. Remember, a more natural product is ideal and is the safest option to consider, especially if you want to avoid getting salon nail fungus from infected nail polish fostered from a previous person who had it.

Now, let’s get into the details a bit so you know what to look for. Regular nail polish, most of the time, contains those 3 ingredients that are toxic chemicals called DBP (dibutyl phthalate), toluene and formaldehyde. These ingredients can cause problems for you and your baby due to their high toxicity.

Additional Tips

• One of the most important things to remember is that if you go to get a mani & pedi at a salon, make sure that there is going to be proper ventilation and that every instrument they use is well sanitized to avoid infections that could pose a threat to you and your baby.

• I would also personally avoid the semi- permanent or acrylic option. Yes, I know this is the easy and practical route, but absolutely not good for you.

• Do not use any nail polish when it is time to deliver your baby. At a maximum, only use a transparent tone. During pregnancy, both your mouth and the skin under your nail can change color if your body is exposed to high stress or if there is a problem. This can allow you and your doctor to easily see if there is something to be concerned about regarding your health during labor.

My Secret

My secret to go to is a brand called Zoya. They have many beautiful options and colors and are completely natural.

Back in the day, I used to go to my nail salon in Italy. Definitely different from what you can find here in America. Usually they are smaller salons, and the person that does your nail knows you well since you spend tons of time with them chatting about all sorts of personal things. This was where I learned that there are some nail products that are indicating this 3-free. At that time, I wasn’t really sure of the difference, so I just trusted the expert and used what they recommended. Today, it is still the same brand that I used, and now recommend, Zoya.

Conclusion

We live in a world where there are so many options available today free from the worst 3 nail polish ingredients. But Zoya is by far the best. This is a brand that I personally used.

Now, if you are pregnant you might want to limit the amount of time you wear nail polish. Wear it for a special occasion, and then remove it. Natural nails colors are beautiful, especially during this time where our hair and nails are stronger than ever.