The ritual of painting one's nails has a certain, nearly indescribable joy. The delicate click of the brush against the bottle, the soft swirl of colour across the nail bed—it's a ritual of self-expression, not just a cosmetic procedure. But amid all of this fashion bliss, one can't help but wonder: how safe are these vibrant colours that we so eagerly wear?
You see, the majority of traditional nail polishes are a concoction of chemicals like dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, and toluene. These are the substances that give polish its resilience to chipping, its glossy tenacity, and its durability.
Regular exposure to strong substances, however, carries latent risks, ranging from allergic reactions to, in severe situations, long-term health consequences. The euphoniously comforting "3-free, 5-free, 10-free" labels, which denote the omission of some of these harmful substances, are a result of modern cosmetic chemistry terminology.
Let's not get too negative, though. When applied sparingly, nail paint is usually safe for the typical adult. To avoid chipping and the subsequent repeated exposure, careful application is essential, which includes a room with sufficient ventilation, a protective base coat, and a fortifying top coat.
It's also important to consider the humble nail itself, which can become dull and brittle if ignored. When we apply oils to our cuticles and take breaks between manicures, our appendages remain supple and vibrant.
The market now offers a wide variety of natural, water-based, and vegan-friendly polishes that are infinitely more benign but less durable in wear for people whose prudence verges on being picky.
Nail art can continue to be a joyful and expressive ritual without posing an excessive risk. You can enjoy the splendour of colour while protecting the fragile vessel that holds it, your own flesh and bone, your own self—by taking a slow, deliberate approach.
ISSUE
Leave a Comment