Chemicals in Nail Polish Can Be a Health Risk


There are so many chemicals in nail polish; it is very often confusing to ascertain whether or not any of them are harmful.

It is always best to check the ingredients in nail polish, but then what? Even if you do take the time to stand in the cosmetics isle, with your eyes squinted over a bottle of polish trying to read the ingredients, other than causing another wrinkle you don't need, do you know what all those ingredients mean?

If you enjoy wearing polish often, then it would probably be best to stick to the safer non toxic nail polish. There are plenty on the market these days, as more and more people are becoming aware of their health and their fingernails health. And you get the added benefit of a healthy body.

If you are inclined to suffer from fingernails problems often; just by switching to non toxic polish can make all the difference.

There are some great brands on the market which are all natural; you can even buy hypoallergenic polish and organic nail polish. There are plenty of choices for you to have beautiful fingernails with your favourite polish color.

If you do wear polish a lot, it is a good idea to allow your nails to breathe every once in a while, they will surely thank you.

Many people have suffered from health problems all because of their polish. One in particular is allergies, you may experience an allergy somewhere on your body, and not even realize it is due to the chemicals in nail polish.

Today the makers of nail polish are under pressure to make non toxic polish, or the very least reduce the chemicals in them, and many companies are now doing just that.

The good news is, as we are becoming more consciously aware of what is going into our foods and onto our bodies the health industry booming. More and more companies have no choice but to comply with consumer demand.
You also have the choice of removing your non toxic polish with a 100% mineral polish remover. Does it get any better...?

Ingredients to Avoid

FORMALDEHYDE - commonly used in hail hardeners and not nail polish. This is a carcinogen (substance capable of causing cancer), also used for indoor air pollutants.

Inhaling fumes from formaldehyde may cause headaches, burning in throat and watery eyes.

TOLUENE - most common in paint thinners and is a neurotoxin, (substance which can interfere with the functions of neurons). Neurons are cells found throughout the brain and nervous system, these cells help with swallowing to other high level brain functioning. So, you don't want to destroy your neurons do you?

Short term problems may nausea, fatigue, weakness, confusion and long term exposure can cause serious nervous disorders.

DIBUTYL PHTHALATE (DBP) - listed as a teratogen, and is a very harmful chemical that can cause a birth defect, pregnancy complications or loss of pregnancy.

Also found in some perfume and hair spray. It is mainly used as a plasticizer in PVC which is then used to make things such as, tubing, hoses, cables, wires, sheeting etc.

This chemical is suspected of accelerating puberty in girls and capable of causing genital abnormalities in newborn boys.

How would you know, if you suffered a health problem that it could be connected to your beautiful fingernails, because of the nail polish ingredients.

When it comes to your health, the chemicals in nail polish need not be so confusing!

Fix a Broken Fingernail With a Broken Nail Repair Plan


A broken fingernail does not need to ruin your lovely nails. You can fix it without having to completely file your nail down. If your fingernails are a lovely length and you have a broken nail, have a fingernail repair plan in place to help the broken fingernail grow out.

First of all, you need to remove any nail polish from your broken fingernail, always use a non acetone nail polish remover, as acetone will dry out your fingernails. Using an acetone remover is ok if you only use it at least once a week.

Once the polish is removed, gently wash your fingernails in warm soapy water and dry completely.

The quickest way to fix broken fingernails is with glue, and it is usually a good idea to carry one around in your handbag so you are always prepared for such an emergency until you get home. You will find this type of glue in any nail section of stores.

When using the glue to repair your split fingernail, be careful not to get to much glue on your nails or fingers. Apply a very thin amount of glue along the tear and gently press the fingernail and tear together. Using a toothpick to apply pressure for a minute will help the broken nail bond into place.

You probably wont have a toothpick in your handbag if you are out, so just apply a small amount of glue and gently press with your finger. Most glue is quite strong, but you will be able to remove it with nail polish remover.

Gently smooth the fingernail you have just repaired with a nail buffer and then apply a coat of nail strengthener. When dry you can apply your favourite nail polish color.

If you don't have any glue on hand, put a tiny piece of tissue paper over the broken fingernail and cover using a top coat or clear nail polish. If the broken nail is quite severe, you can fix with a trusty teabag, which you probably have in the kitchen pantry.

Cut the teabag open and let out all the loose tea.

Cut a small piece of the tea bag and position it over your broken nail, cut the teabag to fit your fingernail. Making sure you cover the entire nail and not just where the break is. Cover the entire patch with glue and spread over evenly with a toothpick, allow to dry.
Trim any excess of teabag that may be hanging over your fingernail.

File your fingernails and gently buff the nail until it is smooth. You will now be able to paint with your favourite nail polish, nail strengthener or clear varnish. As your fingernail grows, keep filing the nail until the break has grown out leaving you once again with beautiful fingernails.

Don't use nail polish remover on the fingernail with the teabag patch. Using fibreglass is another option for fixing broken fingernails. Fiberglass is mainly used for fake nails but it is also handy to help repair cracked, damaged or split fingernails.

Cut a piece of fibreglass to cover over the split; do not cover the entire fingernail.

Apply glue over the fibreglass, be careful not to put too much glue on, just a little at a time. If you have not got it right, you can easily remover with polish remover and start again. Once the fibreglass is on and the glue has dried completely, gently buff your fingernail until smooth.
Apply nail base coat, nail polish or clear polish.

Having a broken, split fingernail on occasion is ok, but if it happens too often, try including a supplement such as biotin. Biotin will help to thicken your nails so they are stronger, and you will have less broken nails. Using one of the above remedies for broken fingernails will help keep your broken nails intact until the break grows out.

Once you have mastered these little fingernail tricks, you will never be caught out with a broken fingernail again.

Grow Long Nails Strong After Acrylic Fingernails


I finally got enough courage to ask my co-worker how she was able to grow her nails long. She told me that she never went without nail strengthener. She used a weekly manicure routine that she did herself at home.

I went home the next day, and looked through my junk drawer of fingernail polish. I couldn't find one bottle of nail strengthener. Was this the reason that I had given up on my nails and covered them with acrylic? Was my lack of knowledge about manicures and the importance of nail strengtheners lacking? Or maybe, I was just lazy and not that serious about nail growth. In an effort to save money, I decided to stop my nail salon visits, and test my co-worker's theory. I decided to remove my fake nails and give weekly manicures a try.

The first few weeks were really rough. It took awhile before my nails healed and actually grew past the breaking point. Having acrylic overlays had ruined my nail bed, and my nails were soft and flimsy. After the damaged grew out, I began to notice improvement. I became accustomed to doing weekly manicures at home, and the results were amazing. My nails were healthy, strong, and surprisingly long. I learned how to type with my fingertips and not my fingernails. I also found out how important nail strengtheners were, when it came to growing longer.

I knew I done something right, when that same co-worker stopped by my desk to tell me how lovely my nails were. With patience and a weekly manicure, I was able to go from acrylics without regretting it. That was over 6 years ago and I've been happy ever since. Sometimes I get lazy and slack off. I'm reminded when I get a chip or crack, how important it is to use nail strengtheners regularly.

Here's what I do to avoid breakage and to grow long fingernails

1. Keep nails clean with warm soapy water. Avoid harsh, drying chemicals and detergents.

2. Use a crystal nail file for ultimate smoothness to prevent cracking and splitting.

3. Wear nail strengthener or thickener at all times to prevent breakage.

4. Never use fingernails as a tool( Open mail with a pen, and type with your finger tips and not fingernails ).

5. Eat a healthy diet, rich in protein.

What Do Your Fingernails Tell You?


Look at your fingernail, are there any marks on it? There may be white, red, yellow, greenish or any other disorders on it, attention! your fingernail is making warnings of your health condition.

Our fingernail is the window of your health condition, marks or disorders on it are meaning the health problem we may have. In this situation, we should pay attention to our body condition.

A very common problem, especially nowadays, is the yellow nails problem that may cause internal problem, like respiratory disease, diabetes, liver problems, but may also be the cause of excessive fingernail polish, nail polish cleanser, and iron water. The white nails indicate that you have anemia problems and even cirrhosis of the liver. Nails that break easily indicate a nutrition poor on vitamins, on protein and minerals or that you just do not digest your food well. Soft nails may also caused by the calcium and magnesium deficiency, or chemicals used in mail cosmetics.

If your nails can not grow long, it is may caused by poor circulation or a thyroid dysfunction. The brittle nails can also be the result of exposure to some chemical substances and water, or because of age.

There are also some other disorders are caused by the nails' disease. Paronychia infections of the nail fold can be caused by bacteria, fungi and some viruses. Act as a barrier between the nail plate and the surrounding tissue. When this infection happened, there are always with pain, redness and swelling of the nail folds along.

Pseudomonas bacterial infection is another usual nail disease. It often occurs between the natural nail plate and the nail bed, with the sign of the classic green discoloration which is just a by-product of the infection and is caused primarily by iron compounds. The after affects of this infection will cause the nail plate to darken and soften underneath an artificial coating. The darker the discoloration, the deeper into the nail plate layers the bacteria has traveled.

There are some other signs of your nail that are not usually seen. Keep an eye of your nail condition which can get to know some diseases in advance for further cure.

What Your Fingernail Color Can Tell You About Your Overall Health


Many health care professionals believe that your fingernail color may be an indicator of underlying health problems and a warning sign to seek medical attention.

Do you regularly examine your fingernails for changes? The color, shape, and texture of your nails can tell you a lot about your health and help you recognize nutritional deficiencies or potential diseases and disorders.

Changes in the color of your fingernails is your body's way of telling you that something may be wrong, and paying attention to these subtle little signs can help you take the necessary steps to improve your overall health and well-being.

It is important to not only notice your fingernail color but to also understand what these changes may mean.

Yellow: A yellow discoloring of the nails does not necessarily indicate a serious health concern. Wearing fingernail polish without a base coat, certain prescription medications, smoking, or the natural aging process can contribute to the yellowing tint. In these cases, there are very effective whitening procedures that will restore your nails to their natural beauty.

However, if the yellowing of your nails cannot be explained by one of these simpler options, it is possible that this discoloration could be attributed to a more serious health issue. Health problems most commonly associated with yellow nails are:

bacterial infection
candida (yeast problem)
respiratory or lung disorders such as emphysema
lymphatic system problems
liver dysfunction
diabetes
Blue: Most often, your nails will turn blue because you are cold. Rubbing or massaging your fingers to improve circulation should help your nails return to their normal color. If your nails are consistently blue despite warmer body temperatures, then you may want to see your doctor and investigate other possible causes such as:
lung disease, asthma, or emphysema
heart disease or circulation issues
Raynaud's Disease - the arteries that supply blood to the skin become narrow and restrict circulations, causing a blue tint.
Cancer - usually presents itself as a single blue line on the nail
If your blue nails are accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, blue lips, weight loss, or sore throat, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Red: Red nail beds could indicate heart disease while irregular red lines on or below the nail may be a sign of lupus or other connective tissue disorders.

Brown: A darkening of the nails or the appearance of brown sections, particularly along the sides, could be attributed to liver or kidney disease.

White: White spots on the nail usually indicate an injury; however, some professionals believe that they are also a sign of nutritional deficiencies such as a lack of calcium, iron, vitamin D, or zinc. A whitening of the nails can also be a fungal infection and whitish nail beds usually mean a low red blood cell count typical of anemia. In rare cases, kidney or liver disorders may be possible, particularly if white streaks are present across the nail.

Purple: A purplish discoloration usually indicates circulatory problems or a lack of oxygen in the blood. It can also be a sign of high blood pressure, fungal infection, anemia, or excessive stress and anxiety.

Black: The most common cause of black nails is severe fungal infections or trauma and injury. In rare cases, nails can also develop a black tint due to anemia, kidney disease, adrenal gland problems, liver issues, or the presence of heavy metals in the blood. Dark lines beneath the nail or discolored cuticles could indicate melanoma, which also sometimes appears as a dark blue line on the nail.

By regularly checking your fingernail color and monitoring any changes, you may be able to catch problems early, seek the help needed, and work to rebuild your body and restore your health.

Dark Nail Polish - Why Wear It?


Dark nail polish has always been one of the things of fashion that some people have taken to and others have not. As the winter season approaches, more and more people are veering toward darker shades of fingernail polish as a means of covering up their nails, as it more easily matches many of the components that make up a fall wardrobe.

While dark colored  polish has its drawbacks, one of them being the fact that it can stain nails a nasty yellow color, many people find that it is a perfect accessory for a fall or winter wardrobe. It started out as an essential fashion component in Ancient China, in which dark polish for their nails denoted royalty and transitioned into present day culture as an adornment for the fingers of the chic, ultra fashionable members of society.

As a matter of fashion, many men have even taken to wearing black colors of polish on their fingertips, even if it is only on the fingertips of one hand. David Bowie and Marc Bowan are good examples of fashionable celebrities who have gone so far as to sport black polish.

While black on your fingernails is rather taboo with many outfits, other dark colors like brown hues and deep reds and purples will serve well in this way. Each year has a new favorite shade of polish, that if you check them out are just as much fun if not more than black polish would be.

Dark nail polish is easily applied, although mistakes are a bit more obvious with the darker shades of  polish than with the lighter shades. You will need to reapply it daily as it chips easier and is seen by anyone who looks at your hands. If you are having your nails done by someone else, you might want to buy the bottle of polish that you are going to wear. The biggest reason being no one who is fashionable should ever be seen with chipped polish on their nails, dark or light.

Make sure that when you apply your polish on your fingernails, that you use a good base coat and top coat, as darker colors can have a reaction with the surface of your nail and leave a dull yellow hue behind after the polish is removed, and that is not very attractive at all. If you want to try out the darker colors of polish but you are not the most skilled of nail painters, spend the money and have a professional do it. You can usually get a manicure for about $10 to $15 at your local nail salon. they are trained professionals and can make any darker polish colors look perfect and professional, serving as the perfect complement to any ensemble.

No matter whom you are, you can make darker colors of polish work for you with the right outfit and the right technique. If you don't want to wear black on your nails, why not get a French Manicure done but have black instead of white tips? If you get a manicure or apply it perfectly on your own and you pick the right hues to match and set off your skin tone, dark nail polish can help you stand out among the rest. For most people, black polish on their nails will not do without looking like Vampira, but other darker of polishes can definitely be worked in.

There is no need to wear black on your nails if that is not a color you really like.  For some reason black polish is thought of as Goth but it has hit main stream these days. Just start looking at deep navy blue or royal purple or deep shades of brown as it will work just as well.  Why not pick out a color of dark polish that just might go with everything and most of all have fun with it. Isn't that what wearing polish on your nails is all about, no matter if it's dark and or light?

Why Do My Fingernails Sliver at the Edges?


You need to understand where your fingernails are formed and why it's so important to not damage that area. At the base of your fingernail and behind the cuticle, under the skin is the matrix where your fingernail is actually formed. It continues to form nail, pushing out the old.

From the time your new nail is visible beyond the cuticle, it is considered to be dead matter. What that means is, past the actual bed of your nail, the fingernail is continuously losing its oils. That's why they will eventually break. To keep nicely formed nails, be careful not to damage the matrix. A bruise on the matrix, will show up as a black spot on the nail, as it grows out.

The biggest mistake most folks make, is in removing too much of the cuticle. That cuticle is there for a purpose and constantly trying to get rid of it, weakens your fingernail. If you tend to your own fingernails at home, remember to clean off the dead cuticle that has adhered to your fingernail, while leaving to padding of good cuticle in place. Your fingernail needs that.

The best way to battle brittle, splitting fingernails, is by taking care of the cuticle. If you live in a very arid area, I'd suggest applying a good fingernail moisturizer at night. If you are having problems with brittle nails, splitting off in layers and your have long fingernails, you might take note of how many times you bang the tip of your nail into things. If they are so long, that you can't keep from jamming the end of your finger, you need to shorten them for the sake of the matrix. Jamming the tip of your fingernail, bruises the matrix and just adds to the brittle problem.

When removing nail polish, take note if your fingernail is truly dry. If so, change brands of fingernail polish until you find one that does not dry out your nails. It's best to go without polish for a day or two, between manicures, to give the nail bed a chance to breathe.

If you ever happen to notice the bed of your nails, seeming to have a slight ache, it's a sign you're wearing the wrong brand for you. It seems like such a simple thing but taking care of your cuticle and matrix, could very well cure that splitting and layering off of the fingernail.

Nail Polish Colors - Which Colors Suit Your Skin Tone?


There are many wonderful nail polish colors you can choose from, there is a color to suit every mood you are feeling and outfit you are wearing.

Depending on your skin tone some colors can really stand out and look amazing on your fingernails.

Pink polish is always a very popular choice, there are many different shades of pink and again depending on your skin tone you need to find a shade of pink which suits you.

For example, if you are dark skinned a yellow based nail polish will work well for you and if you are fair skinned, a blue based fingernail polish is best.

To find out the difference, when you are out shopping for fingernail polish, take a piece of plain paper with you and hold the nail polish up against the paper and you will see a reflection of the color. If you don't have any paper, use your wrist.

There are also many different types of polish to choose from such as matte, glitter, metallic, shimmer and extra shine.

Another rule to follow when out looking for polish, light to medium colors work best with fair skin, and medium to dark colors work better with dark skin.

Each occasion can call for a different look, for example a night out with the girls, a dinner date with someone special is a chance to be daring and go for bright colors.

For a more sophisticated night out to the ballet or opera, darker intense nail polish colors look good.

For an interview, pale to neutral colors look best as you don't want to bring unwanted attention to yourself. You also want to look professional not tacky!

Depending on what you are wearing, painted fingernails will complete your appearance. If you are wearing dark colored clothing, rich berry's and soft reds will look good, instead of pastel or pink.

Another way of choosing a nail polish is to match it to the color outfit you are wearing, if you are wearing dark colors, put on a lighter shade of nail polish to match your outfit.

Personality plays a part in what colors will suit you. Really outgoing people may prefer to wear flashy colors, conservative types like myself, will prefer to paint their fingernails neutral or pastel colors.

You can follow the seasons when it comes to choosing a color, winter brings out the dark berry tones, deep reds or mulberry and cranberry. Spring can be soft pinks, lavender and light peach. Summer is bright hot pinks and navy blues, autumn is deep browns and maroons.

A general rule of thumb;
Fair skin - go for blue based shades with a soft shimmer.
Medium skin color - deep burgundy and wine colors.
Olive to dark skin - earthy brown shades, chocolate colors with a hint of red, orange reds and red look great.
Dark skin - strong colors such as red purple and any other dark shades or silvers.

Avoid polish which contains harmful chemicals, the best nail polish you can put on your fingernails are organic brands.

Apply a top coat with a UV sun protector, this will help protect your fingernails and also prevent your nail polish from turning yellow if it is a pale color.

Choosing nail polish colors which really suit you, is a lovely compliment to your appearance!

Snake Skin Polish with Fishnets


Nail treatments with patterns and texture are all the rage right now, but this new manicure technique may be taking the obsession with animal print and extreme nail treatments a tad too far.  Read on and decide for yourself if this new technique is revolting or the ultimate in recycling;

Monterey, California nail tech and Bio Sculpture educator Terri Silacci had a light bulb moment when her son brought home a piece of snakeskin his science class was studying.  She began work to develop a strange and slithery new trend–using real snakeskin in a gel manicure.  A snake’s skins are shed naturally through the snake’s molting process 4-8 times a year as it loosens its outer layer of skin to accommodate growth and then passes between rough places to catch the loose outer layer and slough it off.  The skin that is left behind is sterilized and prepared into sheets that can be handled for this unusual manicure process.

A gel base is applied to the nail the same as it is for a regular gel nail service and then cured with UV light (which we know has been linked to higher instances of skin cancer on the hands of women who regularly get their nails done).  The sheets of snakeskin are then hand trimmed to fit the nail surface, dipped in clear gel before being applied to the prepared nail surface, and applied like wallpaper.  The process takes about 2 1/2 – 3 hours, and using real snake skin will cost you a whopping $300.

That’s right.  $300 to have the discarded outer membrane of a reptile glued to your hands.  What is this world coming to

If the thought of dishing out mucho moola to have snakeskin glued to your nails makes your blood run cold, there are of course other less creepy ways/more vegan ways to achieve this look.  There are faux versions of the treatment available at nail salons from coast to coast, but if you’d rather hang onto your dollars for a plane ticket to go visit the Amazon, you can get this look at home by following the easy instructions below.

Materials:

Nail file/Buffer
Base color polish
Polish in contrasting color for scales
Piece of fine tulle, tight knit fishnet, or lace  (size is not particularly important, you can use on large strip or cut one up into smaller pieces for each individual nail.  Just make sure to use a piece that will be big enough for you to grab with your opposite hand to pull off!)
Topcoat
*Optional: make up sponge
1.) Soak, trim, file, and push back cuticles as needed.  To achieve a cool nail look that lasts, start off with nails that are clean, dry, and smooth.
2.) Apply basecoat if needed to protect nails from being stained by polish.  (Some polishes do not require a basecoat, depending on what brand you use.)
3.) Apply base color.  Snakeskin prints look great on an incredibly broad range of base colors like silver, bronze, copper, dark maroon, metallic blue, yellow, orange, jade green–let your imagination be your guide!  Allow to dry thoroughly.
4.) Next, take the tulle/fishnet/or lace and stretch it over the surface of your fully dried nail.  Take your contrasting nail color and apply it with the brush over the fabric, allowing the color to seep into the gaps in the weave.  *Alternately, you can spill out some of the contrast color onto a piece of paper or cardboard and apply in gentle tapping motions with a make up sponge.
5.) Allow contrast color to dry on nail surface with the fabric until the layer of polish feel sticky/almost dry to the touch.
6.) Remove fabric and repeat with a fresh bit of fabric on the next nail!  Finish with Topcoat when dry if you’d like, skip it if you want to keep the texture prominent.