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Beauty

Is painting my nails bad for me?

Nail polish. We all know what it is. You either love it or you hate it. Regardless, you've most likely worn nail polish at least *once* in your life. If you haven't, it's okay because Girls' Life is here to answer that burning beauty question: 

Is painting my nails bad for me? 

Basically, it isn't good, but it isn't bad either.

Imagine this: you walk into the nail salon, but it always has that specific, nose-grabbing smell. Have you ever wondered why? 

Most nail polishes are made from materials that can be labeled as toxic, such as formaldehydes and chemical disruptors. We breathe in these chemicals, but they also absorb into our nails and skin. 

However, the effects of "toxic" nail polishes are so small that their risk of exposure is almost non-existent—you don't have to worry. 

It's important to know what ingredients go into the beauty products we put onto our bodies. Less-toxic nail polishes are a good way to go more green and clean! Some of our faves are ella + mila (cruelty-free), Piggy Paint (non-toxic and water-based) and Pacifica (7-free).

Our biggest tip: search for polishes with "5-free" or even "16-free"! This means that a certain number of toxic ingredients have been removed. 

What about acrylics?

Acrylic nails aren't that bad for you as long as your natural nails are healthy. Sometimes acrylics can cause problems, like infections and thinner nails. This can happen if the artificial nail is damaged and a gap grows between your nail and the acrylic (but this is rare).

When you remove artificials nails, make sure to visit a professional or follow the proper technique at home. 

At the end of the day, paint your nails with your fave funky purple or go fresh with a delicate nude. Have fun with nail polish, and most importantly, stay safe! 

Have any burning beauty questions? Let us know on IG @girlslifemag!

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by Allie Lijewski | 1/29/2021
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