Are there any risks if I wear semi-permanent nail polish during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a delicate moment in a woman's life: the body changes and sometimes it is difficult to recognize oneself in what it has always been. Try to live this magical period serenely and indulge in some whims, always making sure that it is not dangerous for the child and for you. Watch the video and see what are those things that are always best to avoid when you are pregnant!
How nails change in pregnancy
To welcome a new life, the future mother must evolve and go through a phase of both physical and psychological transformation that is not always well accepted. For many moms, being in order and seeing their nails in place can be a little joy that makes them feel good about themselves. But is it possible to indulge in a nice manicure before childbirth without taking risks? It would seem so, if you keep a few rules in mind.
Surely the first point to consider is that your whole body is changing, including its smaller extremities, the nails. And for this it is necessary to have some extra precautions to be serene not to jeopardize your health or that of the little one.
In pregnant women, nails react differently: some mothers claim to notice more brittle nails that break more easily, while others show off thicker and faster-growing nails than usual.
In both cases, manicures can be done, but watch out for harmful nail polishes that can be absorbed in the weakest areas and passed on to babies in the belly. In this delicate period those unreliable salons are banned and if you prefer do-it-yourself forget the cheap products and instead prefer the high quality ones on sale at official dealers.
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Semi-permanent nail polish in pregnancy: yes or no?
During pregnancy there do not seem to be any particular contraindications in "applying normal, semi-permanent or gel nail polish because the application surface is so small that what you pass to the baby is almost non-existent. Nevertheless, as we said just before, it is essential to choose only valid products and above all it is good to leave the nail some time to breathe, so as not to incur mycosis.
Especially in gestation, when hormonal changes change the usual constitution of nails and hair, it is necessary to take care of all our tissues, even the nails. How to do? Starting to eat healthy: you can fill your increased need for nutrients and minerals with a balanced diet. Add cereals, legumes, eggs, dairy products, lots of fruits and vegetables to your diet and don't forget to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. If you are interested in this topic, read our article on what a woman should eat during pregnancy.
Once you are aware that you are taking in all the necessary nutrients to make the fetus and yourself feel good, green light for beauty treatments, including semi-permanent nail polish, always in moderation.
If, on the other hand, you do not feel safe and prefer to completely give up manicures in beauty centers, you can still treat your nails with natural products: keep reading and we will reveal some useful tips on how to strengthen your nails quickly and easily.
How to take care of your nails with natural methods
There are girls who prefer not to resort to the use of nail polishes or gel reconstruction of the nail to feel beautiful, but opt to leave the ends free, natural. This can be a life choice that does not specifically concern the period of sweet expectation; in other cases it is a strategy to get the healthiest nails ever had, perfect for the first post-partum application, at the time of delivery.
Whatever your motivation, know that to protect your baby it is not necessary to give up the beauty of hands and feet; you can still take care of your nails and make them stronger thanks to the use of natural products, perfect if you noticed that during pregnancy they became weaker than normal. Here's how you can do it.
Make your nails strong and healthy with homemade wraps and apply natural cuticle oils. Especially in the third trimester of pregnancy you will have a lot of time available: take the opportunity to take care of yourself because after the baby arrives, time will certainly be limited.
Abandon scissors or iron files to prefer cardboard ones, more delicate and ideal for treating weak nails. Remember to always file them in the same direction and with a slightly pointed shape (similar to an almond), in this way you will help them not to break further.
Another child-proof tip is to keep your fingernails short, especially when you are about to give birth: the skin of newborn babies is very delicate and so you will avoid unwanted nasty scratches against them.
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Nourish your extremities with cruelty free wraps, made from natural products.
In your beauty routine, use ingredients such as lemon to degrease and 100% eco-sustainable oils. Excellent allies to have hands and feet at the top are castor oil, sweet almond oil and olive oil.
They go to deeply nourish your nails and you can choose to alternate them according to the days or mix them together: create your very fragrant and sweet pack and proceed with your pampering as a pregnant mother, massaging your nails every night before going to bed.
If you are afraid of leaving unsightly marks on the sheets, wear gloves with natural fibers such as cotton that absorb oil well and do not let it stay on other surfaces.
Do the gloves bother you or do you have hands swollen enough for the unhealthy gestation circulation? Dip your nails in a mixture made with olive oil, lemon essential oil, or fresh lemon juice. Repeat every day for about 10-15 minutes. The result will be to have hands and feet nourished and beautiful to look at!
Which nail polish to use during pregnancy?
We reiterate that during the 9 months beauty products must be certified and of good quality, to avoid transmitting toxic substances to the little ones in the belly.The main ones to watch out for are 3.
First make sure that the nail polish you like does not contain formaldehyde. It is a substance widely used in the creation of chemical products and if present in high percentages in the product it can lead to the formation of ocular infections or mucous membranes, but fortunately in glazes the quantity is often very small.
All those beauty items that do not contain formaldehyde are certainly more suitable for pregnancy; when you are in the salon at the beautician, ask her if she has semi-permanent colors or gels without formaldehyde available. In this way you will be more serene and still have the nails you want!
Another harmful substance that should be avoided while pregnant is toulene: this is used both in glazes to make them fluid and in solvents and here too we recommend that you contact a professional who will be able to direct you to the right product that does not contain it.
Finally, pay particular attention to the DBP whose use is prohibited in Europe, but which unfortunately can be inserted in plastic or resin items to increase their durability and yield. Choose only brands that manufacture their glazes within the European community.
In summary, the ideal nail polish to use during pregnancy to avoid any risk is the professional one that does not contain formaldehyde, toluene and DPB. Better traditional, but if you love the semi-permanent you can indulge in it keeping in mind what we just said.
When applying nail polish at home, try to ventilate the room and not inhale the nail polish.
Is it possible to keep the enamel towards the birth?
It would be better not. It is not recommended to use semi-permanent nail polish in the last weeks of gestation, just when the birth is approaching.
Not because the enamel becomes more toxic at the end of pregnancy, but because future mothers in hospital are often subjected to monitoring, including saturation control with oximeter and pulse oximeter, which are applied right on the nail.
It goes without saying that if the doctor needs to check the health values of the pregnant woman and her hands are fresh from a manicure with semi-permanent nail polish, she may fail in the enterprise.
Natural nails also show us if the general health is good, so better not to color them too much when the checks are frequent. Opt for light colors, if necessary.
The best thing would be to leave the nails free of any polish; you can go back to having the color you prefer as soon as you meet your child.