Many people are still concerned about the effects of chemical ingredients in nail polish on children’s health. So is children’s nail polish harmful or not?
Nowadays, there are a lot of advertisements for nail polishes for children. Little princesses are often fascinated by nail polish bottles and want to imitate adults. To satisfy their children’s interests, many parents do not hesitate to buy nail polishes with all kinds of eye-catching colors.
However, many people are still concerned about the effects of chemical ingredients in nail polish on children’s health. So is nail polish for children harmful or not? What should you keep in mind while painting your nails? Please refer to the article below for some notes for mothers when painting children’s nails.
Things mothers need to know when painting children’s nails
Harmful effects of painting children’s nails
Mothers can paint their children’s nails, but should not abuse them because, according to experts, nail polish products for children often contain toxic chemicals such as:
Children’s nail polish contains the solvent toluene
Toluene is a solvent commonly used in cleaning products, household products, some perfumes and especially in nail polish bottles. This chemical can cause skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, and affect the respiratory and nervous systems. In addition, pregnant women exposed to this chemical can also harm the fetus, increasing the risk of birth defects.
Plasticizer dibutyl phthalate
Dibutyl phthalate helps keep the product from clumping or changing shape. However, according to recent studies, this substance is extremely toxic to children’s health. It is even called a reproductive toxin. Currently, Europe and some other countries have banned the use of this substance in cosmetics and children’s toys. However, there are many cheap nail polishes that still contain dibutyl phthalate content mixed into the market.
Resin, formaldehyde adhesive
Formaldehyde is a chemical commonly used in industry. In nail polish, this chemical has a binding effect, preventing the paint layer from peeling off. According to research, formaldehyde can cause cancer risk if used for a long time. If this chemical is inhaled, it can cause eye irritation and affect the respiratory tract.
Camphor helps make nail polish more durable. However, inhaling this substance can cause serious consequences. This is a substance that affects the nervous system, causing convulsions and when entering the bloodstream can cause infections that are dangerous to children’s health.
Notes when painting children’s nails
Mothers should only paint when their children are about 5 years old or older or when they no longer have the bad habit of biting or sucking their fingers.
You should use baby nail polishes with clear origins, and try organic nail polish colors.
Limit the use of brightly colored nail polishes because they may contain many chemicals that are not good for your health. Choose only clear or light colored nail polish for your child.
When painting your child’s nails, you should choose an outdoor, well-ventilated location. At that time, the paint smell will be dispersed and minimize the risk of children inhaling toxic gases.
After finishing painting, you need to keep your baby’s hands dry and do not let your baby handle or pick up food to avoid eating the nail polish. When removing your baby’s nails, use lemon instead of acetone.
