Women have a pertinent question to ask. “Can you have gel polish during pregnancy?” The valid question merits consideration. To keep the discussion short, we can state that it is safe to have a gel polish manicure during your pregnancy, provided you are careful when applying and removing them. If it is a natural delivery, there should not be any problems. But, if you go for a C-section, your doctor could ask you to remove the DND gel polish before you enter the operation theater.
The effect of UV rays
Every gel polish manicure requires you to cure your nails under the UV lamp on multiple occasions. The gel polish topcoat contains methacrylate monomers that get cured under the UV lamp. Generally, these compounds are safe to use. However, you should be careful if the topcoat layer spills over to the skin. Many people are allergic to methacrylate. It can cause a skin disease known as eczema or contact dermatitis. When you are pregnant, you should exercise greater care because your skin becomes more sensitive during this period. Therefore, it is advisable to buy DND nail colors because it is a high-quality product.
Your skin can be vulnerable
The gel manicure uses a different system when applying the topcoat layer. Some nail manicures involve curing the top layer by brushing or spraying a specific chemical activator on top of the gel. Such systems use cyanoacrylate coating. Cyanoacrylate is a glue that hardens when exposed to air and moisture. If this chemical comes in contact with your skin, you could develop an allergic reaction.
During pregnancy, your skin is tender because of the hormonal changes going on inside the body. People have developed rashes quickly, especially in the final trimester. Your nails could also be vulnerable during such times as you can develop a bacterial infection.
Dos and Don’ts during pregnancy
Here are some aspects to note when getting a gel manicure during pregnancy.
It is better to go to a reputed nail salon because they maintain higher hygiene levels. You can ask for the details of the chemicals used in the nail manicure. You can check out the nail polish brands available in the salon. Even if it is cheap DND gel polish, you should not worry because DND is a reputed brand.
Generally, nails cured under a UV lamp do not emit any fumes. However, if you use acrylic paint, there can be fumes when applying to your nails. Such fumes are not healthy to inhale because you could feel nauseous. When you are pregnant, you have morning sickness. Therefore, you should be careful when using acrylic nail polishes.
Gel polish removal requires you to soak your nails in acetone for more than 20 minutes. However, during pregnancy, your nails grow faster and are more brittle than usual. Soaking the brittle nails in acetone can damage them.
The remedial measures to take
You can take the following remedial action to prevent any damage to your nails during pregnancy.
One should ensure not to get any DND gel polish on the skin. If you do so, you should immediately wipe it away using a cotton ball soaked in acetone.
You can use a 30SPF sunscreen on your fingers to protect them from the harmful ultraviolet rays.
Have your nail manicure in a well-ventilated area to get rid of the fumes that your acrylic nail polish could emit.
Ensure that the salon technicians do not oversoak your nails in acetone. Such over-exposure can dehydrate your nails and cause them to break.
If you remove your gel polish yourself, you should ensure not to soak the gel polish layer for more than 15 minutes. You can use a cuticle pushing stick to scrape away the remnant nail polish.
It is better to wash your hands with soaps and sanitizer to remove leftover chemicals.
What to do if you are a pregnant nail salon technician?
If you are a nail salon technician, you should exercise greater care because your exposure to harmful chemicals is more than an ordinary woman’s. The following precautions can help.
It is advisable to wear a mask when dealing with clients who need acrylic paint on their nails. It is also better to use latex-free protective gloves. Applying moisturizing cream on your hands in the evening is advisable.
A worktable with an extractor hood can prove beneficial. It reduces exposure to the harmful fumes emitted by acrylic paints.
Keep all gels and solvent bottles closed as the fumes emitted by these substances can also be dangerous.
Final Words
If you exercise good care when applying daisy DND nail polish during pregnancy, it should be an issue. Problems arise only when you do not follow the proper procedures. So, our answer to the question is, “It is absolutely safe to have a gel manicure during your pregnancy.”