You’ve had a long week at work and there is just nothing better than a full day of self-care to detox from the stress of every day life. For me, this typically involves a workout, some gardening, and maybe a trip to the nail salon.

The salon is where I can plug in to my favorite podcast, kick my feet up... AND have someone rub them. There is nothing like a great pedicure, wouldn't you agree? Many people visit the salon to relax, decrease stress and, in turn, positively impact health. While you may be detoxifying your mind, the average mani/pedi may actually increase toxins in the body and harm the environment. Yikes! Fortunately, with careful selection of salon and nail products you can remove the guilt from this pleasure and protect yourself from harm. So...

What should you look for in your nail products and nail salons?

Products Summary: Chemical Free, Cruelty Free, Sustainable, Vegan.

Chemical Free Products: Many of the common nail polish brands contain harmful chemicals that are hazardous to your health and the environment.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a US government agency, outlines the risk of exposure to these substances based on exposure duration and frequency. In regards to the nail care industry, employees such as factory workers and nail techs are typically at the highest risk of serious health complications due to repeat exposure; pregnant women and children are also more susceptible. Exposure methods include contact via breathing, eating, drinking or skin contact with these harmful chemicals. The following chemicals are commonly found in nail polish and may be negatively impacting your health and the environment:

Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Methacrylate Compounds, Parabens, Xylene, Formaldehyde resin, TPHP and Camphor.

These chemicals have been found to be directly linked to health concerns including cancer, respiratory disease, neurological disorders, endocrine disorders and birth defects. When you are going to a salon, you shouldn't feel like you need to accessorize with a gas mask. In addition to the personal health risk these chemicals present, many of these chemicals are toxic to the environment. Many of these chemicals propose a threat to whole ecosystems, aquatic life and have been found to be contaminants in drinking water. 

Animal Cruelty Free Products: Many standard nail products are tested on animals. Even if your polish brand is cruelty free it may be produced or owned by a larger company that supports animal testing, and who wants their money going towards the profits of a company like that? Not us. The gold standard for product certification is Leaping Bunny Certified.

Vegan Certified Products: Aside from being cruelty free (which can mean many different things, depending on the certification) you may want to look for products that are also vegan. A great certification to look out for is the Vegan Action Certification. Vegan friendly products mean that they do not contain any animal derived ingredients. Many common nail care brands include animal derived ingredients like:

Guanine/ Pearl Essence: Derived from fish scales and acids found in animal tissue…think shimmer nail polish.

Carmine:  Created by boiling and crushing beetles, resulting in a bright red hue.

Oleic Acid: Usually used as a thickening agent, Oleic acid is typically sourced from animal oils/fat.

What should you look for in your nail salon?

Salon Summary: Ventilation, Cleanliness, Happy Employees!

Ventilation: If you are choosing to continue visiting nail salons using chemical filled products, you definitely want to insure the facility is well ventilated. Take a deep breath the next time you visit your regular salon, if it stinks of chemical fumes, maybe its time to consider a different option!

Cleanliness: Take a good look around your salon and see how tools, foot tubs and files are utilized and sterilized. Nail techs should also wear gloves to prevent the spread of fungus, warts and other transmittable yucks! Technicians should not only change their gloves but wash their hands between glove changes to ensure sterilization. As for foot soaks, you may want to consider having a soak in a sterilized basin rather than a jet tub. There is no surefire way to serialize what gets stuck behind the jets and that may put you at risk of picking up what someone else accidentally left behind. We suggest arriving 15 minutes early to your next appointment to check things out.

On the bright side...

Due to raised awareness around product toxicity, animal welfare and environmental health, there are numerous companies that produce vegan, cruelty free, chemical free, environmentally friendly, long lasting and beautiful products. With these low-tox products becoming more available, why should you risk your health and settle for less?

How can I find a low-tox product and salon?

Subscribe and visit us on September 17th when we interview Nasuil Zaheer, founder and owner of Karma Organics. In this feature we learn about Zaheer's process, products and services- exposing the brighter side of nail-care and self-care.

Tip: If there is no organic/chemical free spa near you, consider purchasing and bringing your own product to your next appointment. By doing so, you may at least be able to decrease your chemical exposure from skin contact and support a brand that shares your values. Check out our top fall polish picks !

Until next time, be well!

Kate