Beautifying children is a topic that many mothers are concerned about, especially when it comes to little girls. In addition to choosing clothes and hairstyles, many mothers also enjoy painting their little princesses’ nails. Furthermore, there has been a surge in the advertisement of nail polish products for children, making it increasingly popular for kids to engage in beauty activities.
The recent trend of nail painting for children has emerged because many parents believe that nail art is not a significant concern, as long as they purchase safe products for their children, which are not harmful. Additionally, it gives their kids a new, beautiful, and adorable look.
In fact, experts affirm that nail care and painting for children is not harmful, provided that parents do not overdo it and ensure that the tools used are safe and clean. If taking their children to a salon, parents should have a separate nail cutting kit for their child to avoid sharing with anyone else. Moreover, parents should seek out nail polishes that are safe for children.
Experts also confirm that nail care and painting for children is not harmful.
However, everything has its pros and cons. Painting nails from a young age can pose several health risks. According to research, some nail polishes contain high levels of certain chemicals. These are strongly associated with health issues including nosebleeds, rashes, and in more severe cases, can lead to birth defects, asthma, and many other health conditions. Of course, salon workers are most at risk of exposure to these toxins, but customers are also affected to some extent. This is especially true for vulnerable individuals such as children and pregnant women.
1. Some Chemicals in Nail Polish
When painting nails for children, you need to be cautious of the toxic trio: toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and formaldehyde. These three ingredients should be banned from contact with humans, plants, or animals. Specifically:
- Toluene can be found in paint thinners, perfumes, and household cleaning products. Prolonged exposure or repeated use can harm the nervous system, irritate the eyes, and it is known to affect the upper respiratory system, including the throat and lungs.
- Dibutyl Phthalate is often referred to as a reproductive toxin because it is linked to developmental issues and birth defects. The use of this chemical in cosmetics has been banned in Europe since 2003.
- Formaldehyde acts as a nail hardener to prevent chipped polish. Prolonged exposure to this chemical can lead to respiratory problems and may increase the risk of certain cancers.
When painting nails for children, you need to be cautious of the toxic trio: toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and formaldehyde.
2. Contributing to Air Pollution, Impacting Children’s Health
Air pollution, both indoors and outdoors, has become a significant environmental concern and has been warned about by global organizations such as NATO and WHO. Global movements are being initiated to prevent the decline in air quality, which has been occurring for years as more pollutants are released into the atmosphere.
Indoor air quality is a concern for children with allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities. Nail salons are not safe places, as you will continuously inhale and absorb the aforementioned irritants. The air inside a nail salon is saturated with fumes from evaporating chemicals from nail polish, nail polish remover, nail hardeners, and adhesives that escape into the air. This occurs not only when the chemicals are in use but even after they have been disposed of, as cotton balls and open containers continue to emit fumes from the trash.
If you decide to have your children participate in nail painting by taking them to a salon, parents should ensure that the salon has proper ventilation. Alternatively, if painting nails at home, you can do it outdoors or on a well-ventilated porch.
3. Hazards of Nail Dryers
Did you know that the nail dryers used in salons with their beautiful blue lights emit ultraviolet (UV) rays? Has anyone informed you about the potential harm it could cause to your child’s hands? Children’s skin is extremely sensitive, with less developed melanin pigment, making it more prone to burns compared to adults. Excessive exposure to UV rays without protection can be harmful to the hands and may cause skin damage or even cancer.
You might think that a single six-minute drying session cannot be harmful, but one UV nail session is equivalent to a short sunbathing session. Moreover, skin issues could appear many years later. Be proactive, especially when painting nails for children, and use sunscreen or avoid UV nail dryers altogether.
There are many hazards associated with nail dryers.
Safer Ways to Paint Nails for Children
If you intend to paint your child’s nails, you need to keep the following points in mind:
- Use your own non-toxic polish whenever possible.
- Find the most ventilated area in the salon or at home by sitting near a window, keeping doors open for airflow, or going outside for fresh air.
- Limit visits to nail salons if you are pregnant.
- Choose less vibrant colors such as white or light pink.
- Wear a mask while doing nails.
- Verify the safety of nail polish ingredients by checking them on the Environmental Working Group Website.
- Only paint nails when the child is around 5 years old or when they have stopped the bad habit of biting or sucking their fingers.
- After painting, keep the child’s hands dry, and do not let them touch or pick food to avoid ingesting nail polish. When removing nail polish, use lemon instead of acetone.
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