Manicure and pedicure during pregnancy - do's and don'ts

In this article, we will look at whether it is possible for pregnant women to have manicures and pedicures and which type is better to choose, and we will also answer the question of whether it is safe to do nail extensions during pregnancy, whether it is harmful to use varnishes, and we will look step by step at the process of creating a stylish nail design for pregnant women.

Without exception, all women and girls strive to make their hands and feet well-groomed, and during pregnancy, when not only the physiological state changes, but also the psycho-emotional one, expectant mothers especially want to pamper themselves and be beautiful. But immediately doubts and questions arise about the safety and benefits of manicure procedures. Let's discuss all these doubts in detail.

Manicure

The procedure includes several stages: shaping the nails, removing cuticles and caring for the skin around the nails, covering with transparent or pigmented varnish.

There are several types of manicure:

• Edged or classic. The most common type of manicure, which is performed both in the salon and at home. The hands are lowered into a warm bath for a few minutes, and then cuticles, skin, and hangnails are removed with scissors or tweezers, and the free edges of the nails are shaped. The danger of this type of manicure lies in the possibility of infection when using untreated tools;

• Unedged or European. The cuticle is pre-treated with a special product that softens it. After this, it is moved back and removed with an orange stick;

• Hardware. It is performed using a sander, which removes cuticles and dead skin cells from the periungual ridges without trimming, damage or risk of infection.

• SPA manicure, during which natural remedies, massages, baths, and various pleasant procedures are used to improve the condition of the nails and skin.

Expectant mothers are not prohibited from getting a manicure, but it is recommended not to use the classic type of procedure in order to avoid infection, skin damage, and further inflammatory processes. All other types of manicure can be used not only to care for your hands, but also to lift your spirits.

Types of SPA manicure, how it is done and necessary cosmetics

What is shellac

Shellac is a bright and durable coating for nail plates, a hybrid of gel and varnish (gel polish). Modern compositions decorate and strengthen nails, the decor retains an attractive appearance for a long time. Before applying shellac, the master carefully prepares the plates, removes the cuticle, and disinfects the treated areas.

The nails are carefully polished, special layers of shellac are successively applied to each plate and each is fixed under an ultraviolet lamp. To avoid dry skin, care oils are used.

Thus, shellac is a multi-step procedure. The result is ensured only if the master has specific knowledge, tools and equipment. The main rule for the safety of nail decoration for an expectant mother is to choose a professional salon with positive reviews.

Nail coating

Now let's talk about coating the nails with gel polish, when used, vapors of the chemical compounds included in the composition appear.

The health of the pregnant woman and the developing fetus can be negatively affected by the following components:

• Formaldehyde, which has an unpleasant odor. Helps to better adhere the natural plate to the varnish, can cause allergies, headaches, tachycardia, affect the central nervous system and cause developmental defects;
• Toluene, which helps accelerate the drying of the varnish and its long service life. Is a strong solvent. Entering the body through the respiratory tract, it can negatively affect the development of the fetus;
• Butylated hydroxyanisole, which can cause cancer;
• Camphor can increase uterine tone and affect the cardiovascular system of a pregnant woman.

Before applying the varnish, make sure that it does not contain the components listed above.

Health hazards of gel polish and its components

Risks and possible consequences

Changes in the hormonal balance in a pregnant woman's body can affect the service life of the coating. A pregnant woman risks paying money for the procedure and still being left without a manicure, since it can swell and peel almost immediately. It is not the specialist who is to blame for this, but the restructuring of the female body.

A negative consequence of such a manicure is an allergic reaction. Vapors floating in the air during the procedure can cause nausea and cause allergies.

In some salons, unscrupulous craftsmen do not pay due attention to the process of sterilizing working tools. This is dangerous for a woman, since the risk of contracting not only fungal infections, but also hepatitis increases.

Pros and cons of gel polish coating

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure to figure out whether it is advisable to cover your nails during pregnancy. It’s worth saying right away that the safest coating that exists in the nail industry today is shellac. This is due to the following factors:

• A manicure using shellac is done faster than with gel polish, literally within half an hour;
• The execution technique does not require the application of a primer, which already reduces the amount of hazardous materials. It is enough to use only a degreaser;
• There is no need to sand or file the nail plate, so shellac is ideal for thin nails;
• The nail is not injured during the process of removing shellac, because this is done with a regular acetone-free product, which also reduces the amount of harmful substances.

Among the highest quality shellacs, we can recommend the CND and Axxium brand products from OPI. Shellacs stay on nails for a long time without chipping, have bright, rich shades, self-level and dry quickly.

Color Club - good gel polishes of the 10-Free category:

So, the advantages of the procedure for applying a pigmented gel product include the following:

• Durability. The procedure can be carried out much less frequently than when using conventional varnish;
• The nutritional components used in the manicure process strengthen the nails and prevent the plate from delaminating;
• The nail plates are not clogged and can breathe;
• When applying shellac, there is no need to remove the top layer of the nail, so the plate will not become thinner or be injured;
• You can cover your nails with safe varnish after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The disadvantages include the following:

• During the manicure process, solvents are used, the fumes of which can cause allergies, dizziness and nausea in the pregnant woman;
• Due to hormonal fluctuations, the coating may last significantly less than the specified period, peel off, crack, or even move away from the nail plate almost immediately;
• The procedure is performed over a long period of time, which can negatively affect the condition of the expectant mother who is in the last weeks of pregnancy;
• Coating with any type of varnish is not recommended during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus is actively developing and the female body is adapting to new conditions.

What does an expectant mother need to know when visiting a manicurist?

To protect yourself from unpleasant consequences when visiting nail salons, take on board a few more useful recommendations:

• If you want to sleep, suffer from toxicosis or have accumulated fatigue, it is better to refuse the procedures. The specific odors of harmful fumes can cause headaches, or even worse, depending on the materials. Even if you make an appointment with the best master in the city and skip the line. Your well-being, which certainly affects the condition of the baby, is much more important than a manicure;
• Before going to a nail salon, read online reviews or advice from friends. Go to a master who inspires trust, not necessarily the one who charges more money for his services. But the materials must be of high quality and in no case market consumer goods. Don’t be lazy to study the composition and ask the master. Request that the table be disinfected and instruments processed in your presence. It is ideal if the workplace in the manicure room is equipped with an exhaust hood, but an open window or good ventilation is also allowed;
• try to get into the salon early in the morning, before the air is filled with fumes from other people’s procedures;
• give preference to unedged manicure, then the risk of infection will be minimal. The cuticle is softened using safe means and cleaned with wooden sticks or moved with a manicure spatula;
• During the first 12 weeks and last 4 weeks of pregnancy, refrain from painting or extending your nails. During the first months, the baby’s vital organs are formed, and in the last months, labor may begin every night, and there will be no time to remove nail polish. In the maternity hospital, there will be no time and nowhere to renew your manicure, and you can’t scatter peeling paint everywhere. Due to the need to frequently wash yourself and your baby after childbirth, it is better to trim your nails to avoid accidental scratching.

And yes, if you have already decided to varnish, do not choose elaborate designs. Every touch prolongs your stay in a place that is not very suitable for an expectant mother.

Video: what are the dangers of nail salons and how to protect yourself

By the way, about reviews of nail salons - I would advise looking for them on third-party resources, for example, on social networks there is probably at least one community in your locality. It seems to me that the real reviews there are more honest than on the website or wall of the salon’s official community. Most service industry websites are pre-moderated - comments appear there only after approval by the administration, objectionable messages are simply deleted. This applies not only to beauty salons. For many years now, on official pages I have only looked at the range of services provided, and I go to find out about their quality “in person”.

Useful tips

If the expectant mother nevertheless decides to paint her nails, then it is recommended to adhere to some simple rules in order to minimize the risk of harming the fetus and the health of the mother herself:

• Carry out the procedure for covering your nails only in a trusted salon. You must be confident in the manicurist, in the sterility of the instruments, as well as in the quality and safety of the materials;
• The room should be ventilated and should not be stuffy. There should also be no sharp, irritating, caustic odors;
• If you are allergic to the sun's rays, then to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation from a UV lamp, apply sunscreen with a high SPF value to your skin before a manicure. LED lamps can be used without any worries;

• It is recommended to take breaks between procedures for painting nails with gel polishes so that the nails can rest and it is possible to monitor the health of the pregnant woman based on their condition;
• If you have the opportunity and materials to apply shellac, rather than gel polish, to your nails, then it’s better to do so. Shellac is the safest product for decorative manicure;
• To remove nail polish, use liquids that do not contain acetone;
• Before each scheduled visit to the doctor, as well as a couple of weeks before the expected date of birth, the color coating must be removed, because nails are one of the important indicators of the health of a pregnant woman. This is done so that doctors can read the information and react in time in case of any problems.

Why shellac?

• when processing nails, the upper stratum corneum is not removed - the effect on the plates is gentle;
• manicures and pedicures last, on average, 3 weeks - the expectant mother does not need to waste time on her nails, make unnecessary trips by transport, or inhale the smell of chemicals in a beauty salon;
• nourishing compositions strengthen nails, and a strong coating prevents them from breaking - an excellent solution for brittle and peeling plates;
• the decorative layer, although dense, is porous - the nails “breathe”;
• masters (nail specialists) work with a palette of more than 20 shades - the expectant mother looks stylish in any circumstances.

Doctors' opinion

All doctors are unanimous in their opinion that it is better to refrain from applying any type of varnish to the nail plates during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

In the following weeks, it is not prohibited to apply nail polish, but it is important to use high-quality and as safe materials as possible. The normal course of pregnancy also plays an important role.

Contraindications for applying gel polish, which you should pay attention to first of all, are the following factors:

• Diseases and fungal infections on the nails or skin;
• Toxicosis;
• Allergic reactions;
• Peeling nails;
• Respiratory problems.

Nail health during pregnancy - prevention and treatment

Is it possible to get nail extensions while pregnant?

Nail extension is the modeling of a plate using artificial materials, acrylic or gel. Acrylic has a stronger odor.

It is necessary to pay attention to the composition of modeling substances. They should not contain chemically hazardous components (formaldehyde, toluene), since vapors entering the respiratory tract can cause negative reactions in the body. If a woman still decides to get her nails extended, she needs to adhere to some rules:

• put a bandage on the face to prevent toxic fumes from entering the respiratory tract;
• after the procedure, you must wash your hands, face, rinse your nasal passages and mouth with clean water;
• manicure must be done in a well-ventilated area;
• When drying nails in an ultraviolet lamp, it is advisable to wear rubber gloves, having previously made small holes for the nails.

Nail design ideas for the expectant mother

Of course, pregnant women are recommended to have either short nails or moderately long ones. Taking into account the woman’s position and the length of the nail plates, you can choose the following options for manicure, which are guaranteed to lift your spirits, make your nails well-groomed and look harmonious:

• Minimalistic. The marigolds are painted with one pigment, the shade of which depends on the preferences of the pregnant woman.

• French. Classic never goes out of fashion, always pleases with its perfection and, moreover, looks chic on short nails. If desired, the jacket can be colored, add small accents in the form of small patterns, sparkles, lace.
  Design options for a French jacket - a selection of ideas

• Lunar. You can also diversify with color options, negative space, and ornaments.
  Exquisite moon manicure: instructions, ideas, spring trends and tips

• Feng Shui. Each nail is painted a different color. The main thing is that all colors are harmoniously combined with each other.

• With an image. It can be any pattern or ornament. It all depends on the preferences of the pregnant woman and the professionalism of the specialist. Often expectant mothers choose an image on their nails in the form of a stroller, small arms, legs, a pacifier, or a stork.

• Gradient, also known as ombre, which can visually make nails longer. A smooth flow of a dark shade from the cuticle area to a lighter one towards the end of the free edge will make short nails visually longer and narrower.

What is manicure, its types and popular nail design options

Let's take a step-by-step look at the process of creating a bright rainbow design that looks very stylish on short nails and lifts your spirits:

1. Apply a leveling layer of base and dry it in a lamp.

2. Apply the base color in two layers to all nails except the middle and index fingers. Apply the second layer after drying the first and also dry it in a lamp.

3. Cover the painted nails with a top coat and dry in a lamp.

4. We place on a palette, foil or silicone mat a certain amount of colored varnishes that will be used to create a rainbow. You can choose all seven rainbow shades, or limit yourself to a few that will be clearly visible.

5. Using a thin brush, apply the color of the rainbow to two free nails in an arbitrary place so that the rainbow on the ring finger is a continuation of the bend of the rainbow on the nail of the middle finger.
6. Using a flat brush, blend the colors, slightly mixing adjacent shades with each other, creating a gradient. Dry it in a lamp.

7. We duplicate the color on the nails for brightness, repeat the process of mixing shades and dry it in a lamp.

8. Cover with topcoat and keep in the lamp until completely dry. As a result, we get a very bright, cheerful and fashionable nail art.

Benefits and harms

Painting your nails with varnish also has its positive sides. A well-done manicure gives a woman self-confidence. The procedure, performed by a professional, allows the pregnant woman to relax and take her mind off negative thoughts. It is also believed that the varnish coating strengthens the surface of the nail, allowing it to grow to the desired length.

The disadvantages of painting nails with varnish include::

• possibility of toxic poisoning;
• risk of miscarriage;
• developmental pathologies in a child;
• deterioration of the condition of nails due to violation of safety rules;
• increased toxicosis;
• the likelihood of premature birth.

Nail extensions

Now let's talk about whether it is dangerous to grow nails during pregnancy. The situation with artificial nails looks approximately the same as with coating nails with gel polish. There is no clear opinion on this issue. A pregnant woman herself decides whether to have artificial plates. Naturally, the first trimester, that is, the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, should pass without any manipulation of the nails. For the further period of gestation, there are some recommendations for nail extensions:

• Use of quality materials by a qualified and responsible craftsman;
• It’s definitely better to avoid acrylic. It is preferable to choose a gel, or even better to choose a biogel, which is considered safe and does not require cutting off the upper natural layers, but is no less effective;
• During the entire procedure, it is recommended to wear a protective medical mask and gloves with cut off fingertips to minimize the influence of lamp radiation and inhalation of material fumes and dust from sanding layers;
• If after the extension procedure the condition of natural nails has become worse than before the procedure, then it is better to avoid artificial nails for the entire period of pregnancy.

General information

Gel polish coating is a popular procedure in all beauty salons.

This manicure is durable, neat and safe. But it can also cause harm to the body. After being near an ultraviolet lamp for a long time, the general condition of the body may worsen, and allergies often develop from the smells of the products used.

To understand whether pregnant women can paint their nails with gel polish, you need to consider the pros and cons of the product.

Advantages

The main advantage of this coating is practicality and durability. It can last 3 weeks, and when using quality products - 4 weeks.

Additional benefits include:

1. Health safety . During coating, toxic substances do not enter the body of a pregnant woman, and there is no need to worry about her health.
2. Benefits for nails . Before applying shellac, the master does not cut off the top layer of the nail plate, which is why its structure is not destroyed. After removing the gel polish, a woman will have to deal with brittle nails and use expensive restorative drugs.
3. Under a durable layer of product, you can grow your own nails without using additional care products.

Shellac does not contain formaldehyde, so it is safe to cover the nails of a pregnant woman.

Flaws

The main disadvantage of shellac is the mandatory presence of special equipment to help fix the coating. A durable and neat manicure can only be done by a trained person.

You won’t be able to get the desired result on your own without proper preparation and experience.

Other disadvantages:

1. Allergic reaction or intolerance to components in manicure products. During pregnancy, the female body undergoes hormonal changes, due to which the body begins to react differently to quite familiar things.
2. Master's incompetence. A specialist without the appropriate qualifications may apply the coating incorrectly and damage the nail plate, which contributes to the development of fragility of the stratum corneum. After removing the coating, you need to use restorative agents.

The durability of the manicure depends on the professionalism of the master. Due to the dishonest attitude of beauty salon employees, the coating may peel off the nail after 3-5 days of wear.

Pedicure

A set of procedures for nails and skin on the feet is not contraindicated for pregnant women, but must be selected and carried out with caution. Considering the fact that pedicure is aimed not only at working with nails, but also at softening the skin of the feet, removing calluses and corns, it is worth choosing a hardware type of pedicure or an unedged one. Intensive massage should be avoided due to the presence of many active points on the feet. It is recommended to limit yourself to light stroking.

SPA Pedicure - description of all types and technologies

If a woman usually does a pedicure on her own, then in the second half of pregnancy it will be problematic to carry out such a procedure. At this time, it is better to use the services of a trusted salon or ask your husband for help.

You should not take steam baths or generally use water with a temperature of more than 45 degrees, so as not to cause blood flow to the legs, which can cause varicose veins.

General recommendations for a safe pedicure are identical to those for hand care.

The only thing you need to pay attention to is that it is better to perform a pedicure for a pregnant woman reclining on her side to avoid excessive tension in the lower back.

What is a hardware pedicure and its quality criteria

Rules for conducting a safe procedure

A woman should visit only a specialist whom she trusts and who conscientiously goes through all stages of disinfection of the workplace and sterilization of instruments. Before working with a client, the master must take out a sealed craft bag with a red indicator on the surface. This indicates that the devices have undergone sterile processing at high temperatures.

The specialist must always work in disposable gloves. Before starting the procedure, he must spray a disinfectant on the client's hands. During epidemics, it is better for a woman to wear a disposable mask.

Useful procedures for pregnant women

During pregnancy, all types of SPA manicure aimed at moisturizing, nourishing and softening will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the nails and skin of the hands. You can use cosmetic products for massage containing vitamins, minerals, glycerin and other beneficial substances, or you can use folk remedies and pamper your hands with various warm baths at home, and then apply olive oil with light massage movements.

Pregnant women who experience discomfort from swelling and tired legs will especially enjoy a gently cooling mud wrap that will relieve fatigue, reduce swelling and restore joint function.

To do this, you can use a ready-made mask that already contains cooling ingredients such as menthol and mint, or dilute the powder mixture with water at a temperature of about twenty degrees. The composition is applied to the legs and left for 10-20 minutes. It is not recommended to keep it longer.

During pregnancy, you should not refuse caring procedures for your hands and feet, but you should choose them carefully and responsibly, so as not to harm yourself and the baby.
It is best to consult with your supervising physician before deciding to undergo any procedure. Comment

How pregnancy affects the condition of the nail plates

During pregnancy, you can notice how the condition of your nails changes.

Due to changes in hormonal levels and lack of calcium, they can become thinner, so the hands look unkempt. Hangnails also appear, which poses a risk of infection getting under the skin.

To avoid this, it is advisable to take care of the condition of the nail plates and the skin around them more carefully.

How dangerous is nail polish remover?

Many nail polish removers contain acetone. Here the problem also lies in the long-term effects of acetone vapor on the body. According to scientific research, this substance can cause fetal development problems in pregnant women. But if you do not abuse it, then there will be no harm.

If you are still worried, then you can choose an equally effective nail polish remover that does not contain acetone, since the modern cosmetics industry has developed such products. Also follow this advice: After removing nail polish, always wash your hands with soap and running water.

How to protect yourself and your unborn child when painting your nails

So, the answer to the question is it possible to paint your nails during pregnancy sounds positive, but if you don’t do it all the time. Then there's really nothing to worry about. But if you regularly paint your nail plates with various varnishes, the substances they contain can be harmful.

Here are some useful tips:

• Use varnishes without hazardous substances, this will be discussed further;
• Try to limit yourself to only one layer of varnish;
• Be sure to open windows and doors so that the room is well ventilated;
• Paint your nails no more than once a week;
• Dry the varnish with your arms outstretched and do not blow on it, otherwise you will definitely inhale all the harmful fumes;
• Don't bite your polished nails. This can also be dangerous.