Last Updated on July 29, 2022 by SulaBeauty Staff
When you’re expecting a child, you’ve undoubtedly encountered a thousand dos and don’ts. While care is appropriate when it comes to certain practices, there are many other things you don’t need to be concerned about.
The excellent news is that having your nails done while you are pregnant is pretty much safe. There seem to be certain precautionary factors that should be considered.
Continue reading to learn more about safer manicures and pedicures, such as what to check for in nail polish brands and which beauty treatments to skip while being pregnant.
Is it Safe to Get a Manicure or Pedicure during Pregnancy?
Nail treatments are generally safe to have while pregnant.
The most serious risk of getting your nails painted while pregnant is contracting a skin infection from contaminated tools.
Furthermore, some potentially harmful chemicals in nail polishes and removers are dangerous to a developing baby. Thus, an extensive study is required on pregnancy-safe nail polish before you get your nails done in nail salons. Choose a nail salon with sufficient air circulation to prevent breathing too much from the cosmetics’ air contaminants.
Finally, pressure sites in the feet and hands can potentially cause uterine contractions. But taking care of these few risks, you can get your nails done while pregnant.
Can you Get Acrylic Nails done while Pregnant?
Acrylic nails are fine to get throughout the pregnancy. But you might avoid them if your nails are weaker than they generally are, as you are pregnant. Some can notice a difference in the nails when pregnant.
It’s conceivable that your natural nails are weaker than normal and crack very readily. To get acrylic nails to attach, you must cut down on a flat of your nails until it becomes coarse, damaging them.
As a result, acrylic nails may compound the problem if your nails are growing thinner than normal as a result of your pregnancy.
If you want to wear acrylic nails, one risk of infection on nails exists. This might arise if the fake nails are overly long or hard or the tools are properly disinfected.
Also, during pregnancy, your skin is more easily disturbed. Although your unborn baby is unlikely to be harmed, you should eliminate unpleasant products or switch to doing something gentler for convenience.
Can you get your Nails done while pregnant?
Gel manicures are generally safe to apply throughout pregnancy. Since the chemicals aren’t ingested, and the nails serve as an adsorption barrier, it is safe.
There’s no reason to believe they’ll cause issues during your pregnancy. You should be cautious of acetone-based nail products frequently used to dissolve gel formulas.
However, you should be careful about how long you’ll be subjected to the toxins and how much you’ll be subjected to them.
Is there a chance my gel nails could affect my baby?
Many harmful substances are used in the application of gel nails. These should be avoided while pregnant. If you’re having a cesarean section, you’ll need to remove your gel nails before the procedure begins.
Gel paints will not soak through the fingernail but may absorb into the nail plate. The UV light used to cure the gel is a bummer if you’re pregnant or otherwise. Radiation can be damaging to the skin.
Phthalates, which are typically included in gel polishes, might harm a developing baby and ultimately hinder your child’s intelligence.
This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t wear nails during pregnancy. Many women get gel manicures, and their babies are born without birth defects. Yet, you must be informed that there is a threat, no matter how minor it may be. Going fully gel nail and nail paint-free is the safest choice for you and your developing fetus.
If you’re set on maintaining your nails, there are a few steps you can do to reduce the dangers associated with having them done and cleaned.
What precautions should I take?
To minimize any avoidable issues, taking certain measures before planning your nail salon service is a good idea. This way, you’ll be secure, comfortable, and able to maintain your child protected.
MMA – avoid it!
It’s entirely possible to suspect a non-toxic polish if you’re apprehensive about toxicants.
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a binding compound present in fake nail treatments and manicure prep used in spas and salons. It’s linked to skin irritation, shaky hands, sleepiness, rashes, and inflammation, among other things.
When you’re pregnant, you can’t take the chance of coming into contact with this component because it would undoubtedly harm your health and cause you agony.
Avoid breathing in harmful fumes
Nail polish is made up of a variety of ingredients. The unpleasant smell of the nail polish and other manicure supplies is released as a result of this.
They are not only unpleasant to smell, but they can also be harmful to a pregnant woman. Chemicals in the salon’s atmosphere may trigger nausea, disrupting your salon experience.
Ventilation assists in the removal of any chemical emissions. Consult with the nail technician to see whether there are any air vents or adequate ventilation.
Be aware of increased sensitivity and the signs of allergies.
Your body is much more delicate than usual during pregnancy. To avoid accidentally consuming toxins, don’t eat anything while you’re at the salon.
Check the technician’s cleaning practices and ensure the nail care supplies are fully disinfected in an autoclave sterilizer. To minimize the risk of infection, stop going to the salon if you have any cuts on your skin.
You should avoid manicures and pedicures throughout the first trimester since the risk of complications and other risks are much higher at this time.
What Chemicals Should I Avoid?
Pregnant women should stay away from volatile organic compounds. Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are the main substances to avoid when getting your nails done during pregnancy. Toluene can cause a variety of problems, including reproductive problems and nausea.
Formaldehyde has an awful smell and can cause skin irritation. DBP is a high-risk substance since it affects men’s reproductive health.
What if I work in a Nail Salon?
The chemicals used in nail salons have a strong odor and are potentially hazardous. Working at a salon puts your baby at risk.
Whatever the case may be, as a pregnant woman, you want to keep your exposure to toxins that could affect your baby to a minimum. Make sure you’re wearing a mask on your nose and face so you’re not inhaling the chemicals. Ask to work early if possible; the fumes will be less severe.
Is It Safe to Have Nails Removed During Pregnancy?
Nails are often removed with acetone-based nail polish removers.
When a pregnant woman comes into contact with it, it does not affect the baby but can make her feel sick.
And inhaling it can cause various health problems for both the mother and the child. As a result, it is often recommended that the manicure be removed with extreme caution and alertness.
Pregnancy Safe Nail Polish
Prevent using nail polish that contains possibly toxic materials like parabens or toluene when shopping for pregnancy-safe nail polish and other beauty products. When purchasing, seek polishes that are labeled as “non-toxic” and “water-based,” as well as polishes that are sold as “child-safe.”
Finally, the most essential thing is to study the list of ingredients and check for the terms mentioned above.
What Nail Treatments should you Avoid During Pregnancy?
Acrylics and gel treatments have still not been proven to be dangerous to pregnant women or the baby because of their ingredients. Formaldehyde, which has been associated with miscarriage and cancer, may be present in some normal nail paints.
Hand massages might include pressure locations that are uncomfortable for the baby. As a result, you must refrain from receiving massages and applying ordinary nail polish.
What Should You Look for in Pregnancy-safe Nail Polish?
When shopping, look for “non-toxic” and “water-based ” varnishes”. There are the safest options of nail products available in the market. There are several harmful compounds that you can look for in the nail polish’s ingredients list and avoid if it contains them.
How to Take Care of Your Nails During Pregnancy
Taking care of your nails is important because they become weaker during pregnancy. Keep your nails dry and clean at all times.
When cleaning dishes and other cleaning agents, wear gloves. Cuticles should be pushed back rather than clipped. Take your time when filing. Better still, maintain your nails as natural as possible when you’re expecting.
When to call your doctor about nail changes during pregnancy?
Some abnormalities in the pigment, thickness, or structure of your nails aren’t harmful, but you could suffer from an infection in others. Schedule an appointment with a physician if you have a severe or infected inflamed nail or onycholysis, which is darkening and the nail separating from the fingertip.