Nail products can contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. It is important to use nail products safely, following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. Here are some details about nail products:

Positive:

• Nail strengtheners can help relieve brittleness and peeling, leaving nails looking and feeling healthier.

• Some nail products contain resins that form a strong coating on the nails, rather than hardening the nails themselves. For example, toluene sulfonamide/formaldehyde resin (TSFR) is used in some nail polishes to make the coating tough and resilient. TSFR also helps the polish adhere to the nail, adds gloss and helps the product flow well when applied.

Negative:

• Due to a lack of government oversight, many products used in hair and nail salons contain a number of hazardous chemicals that may harm your health.

• Gel nail polish can be bad for your nails, as curing gel under a lamp couldn’t be the healthiest way to decorate your digits.

Ingredients or materials:

• Some nail ingredients are harmful when swallowed, but not when used on the nails, because the nail is a barrier, which prevents absorption.

• Artificial nail removers consist primarily of acetonitrile. Child-resistant packaging is required for all liquid household glue removers containing more than 500 milligrams of acetonitrile in a single container.

• Other nail products contain resins that can cause allergic reactions in some people, such as toluene sulfonamide/formaldehyde resin (TSFR) .

• Some particularly toxic chemicals to avoid in salon products include formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.

In summary, nail products can contain both positive and negative ingredients or materials. It is important to use them safely and follow labeled directions. Some nail products contain resins that can cause allergic reactions in some people, and some salon products contain hazardous chemicals that may harm your health.