Is it possible to paint your nails with gel polish during pregnancy? Is gel polish harmful during pregnancy?

Every girl and woman strives to look attractive. Well-groomed hands and a neatly executed manicure are an integral element of a true lady.

To avoid the negative impact of various factors on the child’s body, during the period of bearing the baby, the expectant mother strives to lead the healthiest lifestyle possible. Moreover, even during pregnancy, a woman wants to look attractive. And if before pregnancy such a procedure as coating the nail plates with gel polish does not raise any special questions or concerns, then with the appearance of a toddler in the womb, many mothers wonder whether it is possible to use gel polish during pregnancy? How safe is this procedure and will it harm the baby?

Gel polish during pregnancy - is it possible or not?

Carrying a baby involves a huge burden on a woman’s body. The little man takes from his mother all the vitamins and minerals necessary for full development. The lack of nutrients affects not only a woman’s well-being, but also the condition of her skin, hair and nails. Often pregnant women note that the nail plates begin to peel and become more brittle. A way out of this situation may be to apply gel polish to your nails. But is this procedure safe? Will gel polish during pregnancy harm the baby developing in the womb?

Gel polish in early pregnancy

The first weeks of expecting a baby are associated with increased danger for the developing baby and the course of pregnancy in general. The placenta has not yet been formed and all the substances that somehow enter the woman’s body “go to” her child. Although some toxic elements can penetrate the placental barrier. When coating nails with gel polish, all evaporations of chemical compounds enter the woman’s bloodstream through the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and skin. To avoid the risk of negative consequences for the child, in the first weeks of pregnancy it is better to avoid manicures using gel polishes (and traditional varnishes as well).

Is gel polish harmful during pregnancy - dangerous coating components

Before using a substance, you must ensure its safety. This statement applies even more to expectant mothers. In the process of covering the nail plates with gel polish, a woman involuntarily inhales vapors of chemical compounds. What components of gel polish pose a threat to a toddler developing in a woman’s womb?

Formaldehyde (another name is formalinum).

The substance has a noticeable unpleasant odor and is used to improve adhesion between the varnish and the nail plate. The compound enters the human body through the respiratory tract. Penetrating into cells, it irritates the mucous membranes, provokes headaches, tachycardia, and affects the central nervous system. Formaldehyde can also have a negative effect on the baby’s body - causing developmental defects, allergic reactions, disorders in the immune system and damage to the central nervous system.

Toluene (methyl benzol).

The compound is designed to speed up the drying of the nail coating and extend the life of the varnish. It also penetrates into the body's cells through the respiratory system. The substance is a strong solvent, and therefore can have a teratogenic effect on the fetus.

Camphor.

Volatile ether compound, natural plasticizer. The compound enters through the mucous surfaces of the respiratory system. Despite the fact that this substance is widely used in medicine, its use during pregnancy is not recommended. Camphor affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system; in pregnant women it can cause an increase in uterine tone.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA).

A preservative that can provoke the development of cancer.

Before a manicure using gel polish, be sure to find out the composition of the coatings that will be used. Avoid the presence of the ingredients listed above.

How does gel polish affect pregnancy?

When deciding on the issue of covering nails with gel polish while carrying a child, a woman is primarily concerned with the problem of the influence of the products used during the procedure on the course of pregnancy and the health of the child.

Substances applied to the nail plate do not enter the woman’s body through it.
At the same time, the volatile components of the chemical compounds used during gel polish manicure penetrate through the respiratory tract into the blood of the pregnant woman, and therefore into her child. Therefore, do not be shy and find out the composition of all drugs used to treat nails.
Pay attention to the aromas floating in the beauty salon. Even if substances with toxic elements are not used when working with a pregnant woman, this does not mean that such compounds are not used in the salon at all. The room must have good ventilation.
High-quality gel polishes do not have a particular effect on pregnancy directly, but even they can lead to a deterioration in the woman’s well-being (nausea, dizziness).
Failure to take the manicure procedure using gel polish seriously, or the use of toxic or unknown materials can negatively affect the development of the baby, causing various types of abnormalities.

Allergy to gel polish during pregnancy

If the expectant mother is prone to allergic reactions, she should approach this type of manicure very carefully. The long service life of gel polish is ensured not only by the coating itself and the technology of its application, but also by the use of other chemical compounds.

Any component of cosmetic products (both gel polish, base or top) can cause a hypersensitivity reaction.
The coating is fixed under the influence of ultraviolet light. If a woman is allergic to the sun, after the gel polish procedure she is almost guaranteed to experience irritation on her skin.
Improper storage of materials can lead to a deterioration in their quality and a negative effect on a woman’s nails and skin.

Most often, an allergic reaction, if it develops, affects the nail plate (the area where gel polish is applied) and the skin around it. Symptoms of general intoxication - nasal congestion, tearing, sneezing are rare.

Is it harmful to do gel polish during pregnancy - rules for a safe procedure

Following simple rules will help to minimize the possible risks of gel polish while carrying a child:

Contact trusted manicure salons. Make sure that the technician sterilizes the instruments and uses high-quality materials.
The air in the room where manicure is performed should not be stuffy or have pungent, irritating odors.
If you feel unwell, stop the procedure immediately.
Protect your hand skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Before going to the salon, cover your hands and fingers with sunscreen.
A relatively safe alternative can be coating with high-quality original shellac in a professional salon. If it is not possible to carry out the procedure in this way, it is better to refuse it.
Be sure to take breaks between gel polish treatments so that the nail plate can “rest.”

Allergy to shellac

Allergies can be congenital or occur due to hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy.

A woman with hypersensitivity to some components in shellac should avoid using it or be careful when choosing coating products. It is worth notifying the specialist about the presence of allergies, who should select the most gentle products.

If your health worsens during a manicure, the procedure must be stopped.

Symptoms of adverse reactions include:

redness of the skin;
changes in the structure of the nail plate, redness of adjacent tissues;
profuse lacrimation, sneezing, coughing.

In cases of allergies, you must consult a doctor who will prescribe appropriate treatment.

Is it possible to get gel polish during pregnancy - advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

To find out whether it is advisable to cover your nails with gel polish while expecting a baby, you need to understand the positive and negative aspects of this procedure. It’s worth mentioning right away that among all the gel polishes offered by the cosmetology industry, shellac is considered the safest for use during pregnancy.

The benefits of gel polish during pregnancy

Durability. It's no secret that gel polish coating lasts much longer on nails (2-3 weeks) than regular polish. This means you will have to resort to re-application and inhale the unpleasant aroma of varnish less often.
Even gel polishes with components that are safe for pregnant women have a smell, but their intensity is quite comparable to regular nail polishes.
When applying a coating such as shellac, there is no need to remove the top layer of the nail plate, which means you don’t have to worry about injury to the nail.
The nutritional components that are used during manicure strengthen the nail plate and prevent its fragility.
The porous decorative layer allows the nails to “breathe”.

Pregnancy and gel polish manicure - disadvantages of the procedure

Even if the master uses a coating that is safe for pregnant women, easily evaporating solvents are used during the manicure procedure (especially at the stage of removing the previous coating). These substances can negatively affect the well-being of pregnant women, causing nausea and allergic reactions.
Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy can affect the strength and service life of the coating in the direction of reducing the latter. For some women, gel polish does not last at all during pregnancy; the coating peels off almost immediately after application.
The coating procedure takes longer than simply painting nails with varnish, because... Each layer of gel polish must be exposed to an ultraviolet lamp.

Rules for the procedure

To avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to extend nails in conditions that are safe for the health of a pregnant woman.

These include:

Ventilation of the room in which the procedure takes place. To avoid intoxication of the body, it is necessary to periodically open the windows. The main condition is positive temperature outside the window, absence of drafts .
Using a protective mask. If it is not possible to ventilate the room, it is necessary to use special masks that protect against the evaporation of toxic components.
Notification about the manufacturer and properties of the product that will be used by the master to create a manicure.
Using a vacuum cleaner. In order not to breathe dust from microparticles of the gel that enter the air when cutting it down, you need to use a desktop vacuum cleaner to eliminate harmful elements.

If a woman’s condition worsens sharply during the procedure, it is necessary to stop the process and go out into fresh air.

Removing shellac

Removing gel polish during pregnancy requires caution, using auxiliary components. The procedure uses medications that contain calcium, minerals and vitamins.

To avoid harm to the nail plate, it is recommended to have the coating removed by an experienced specialist.

Gel polish during pregnancy: doctors' opinion

There is no consensus among doctors regarding the safety or danger of gel polish for pregnant women. The restriction applies only to the first 12 weeks of gestation, when the baby’s body is being formed. During this period, doctors agree - it is better to avoid using gel polish. In subsequent weeks, the use of this type of coating is allowed. Important conditions are the normal course of pregnancy and the use of high-quality and safe materials.

Useful tips

To prevent the development of side effects, you must use special recommendations:

Before applying gel polish, you need to study the composition of the product: it should not contain formaldehyde and toluene.
Before drying under an ultraviolet lamp, apply a protective agent to the skin of your hands. Such measures help retain moisture and not dry out the skin.
Focus on the smell of the product used. If a pungent aroma appears when opening the bottle, it is unacceptable to use gel polish. Strong odors indicate a low-quality, cheap product.
Ensure the sterility of instruments. Before covering nails with shellac, the master must disinfect the devices.

You shouldn't skimp on manicures during pregnancy. A visit to a trusted beauty salon will ensure complete safety for your health.

Gel polish during pregnancy: reviews from women

Toxic materials can have a much more serious effect than many medications. At the same time, many pregnant women do not think about the danger that low-quality varnish containing harmful components can bring. According to reviews, pregnant women often apply gel polish throughout pregnancy and do not notice any abnormalities. At the same time, there are those who try to play it safe and not get carried away with cosmetic procedures while expecting a baby. Fortunately, there are no reliable results on the negative impact of manicure with gel polish on the course of pregnancy or the formation of fetal pathologies.

Even if the pregnancy is progressing well and the woman has no health problems, before the gel polish procedure it is strongly recommended to consult a gynecologist who is observing the pregnant woman. In addition, take the time to find out the name and composition of the products that will be used during the manicure and/or pedicure. In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid using gel polish.

How to protect yourself

Is it possible to paint your nails with nail polish during pregnancy? – To prevent a manicure with a regular composition from turning into a tragedy or health problems, you need to follow the following basic rules:

The procedure should be carried out in a well-ventilated area so that contact with harmful substances is not prolonged;
It is recommended to work with a mask, because then it will be much more difficult for harmful substances to penetrate the respiratory system;
you should study the composition of the varnish in advance, purchasing only those bottles that do not contain formaldehyde, toluene and camphor;
The nail polish remover should be without acetone, since its vapors are also harmful to mother and child.

Danger often looms over those girls who take care of their nails professionally. If a girl works as a craftsman and is in an interesting position, she must strictly follow all the listed rules, since due to inhalation of vapors on a regular basis, the risk of unpleasant consequences increases.

The most important thing here is to study the composition of the varnish. If among these chemical elements there are no those that are harmful to the mother and child, there will be no consequences from its use. Doctors recommend painting your nails no more than once a week, so that inhaling fumes does not complicate the body’s functioning.

If any problems or difficulties arise, be sure to consult a doctor. You should always look for reasons for thickening toenails or fingernails, rashes or itching.

Select materials carefully

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