The controversy over the safety of shellac has not subsided since its introduction on the market. We figure out where the truth is and where the fiction is.
Strictly speaking, Shellac is the name of the very first gel polish launched on the market. However, very quickly the brand name became a household name, and many still continue to call shellac gel polishes from other companies. Now the number of companies producing gel polish manicure products is in the dozens, and they all differ in quality and price. But one thing is invariable: disputes about the dangers of gel polish. There are those who consider gel polish to be dangerous and those who are confident in its safety. We decided to investigate whether common beliefs have any foundation.
In fact, gel polish is even safer in composition than regular nail polish. It does not contain formaldehyde, toluene, and other dangerous toxic ingredients. Gel polish is practically odorless, does not penetrate the structure of the nail plate.
Subject to the application and removal technology, gel polish not only does not worsen but also strengthens the nail plate due to protection from external mechanical influences. Thanks to this, owners of a weak nail plate have the opportunity to wear long nails. The main damage to nails occurs when inaccurate removal of gel polish or excessive sanding during application.
Scientists have proven that an excess of ultraviolet radiation really has a detrimental effect on our bodies. However, at present, there are not only ultraviolet but also completely safe LED lamps, which, in addition to everything, are much more compact than their ultraviolet counterpart. If you are using a UV lamp and want to protect yourself from radiation, purchase special cotton gloves with only fingertips exposed, or apply sunscreen on your hands.
The appearance of a burning sensation when drying gel polish is a fairly common phenomenon. But it is not caused by some dangerous reaction between the gel polish and the nail plate. The gel polish begins to warm up under the influence of ultraviolet or LED radiation due to the presence of special photoinitiators in the composition. When they are active, they provoke structural changes in the coating itself, as a result of which it acquires a certain strength. The intensity of the burning sensation depends on the number of photoinitiators in the composition, on the thickness of the applied layer, on the individual pain threshold, and even the female cycle. The only way to reduce the burning sensation is to remove your hand from the lamp for a few seconds and then put it back.
Acetone, indeed, can provoke dryness of the nail plate and cause skin irritation. However, pure acetone is not used to remove gel polish. Gel polish remover always contains caring components that reduce or completely prevent the negative effects of contact with acetone. To reduce the time, it takes to soak the gel polish, remember to file off the top layer, and to protect your skin, apply a caring oil before wrapping your nails in foil.
Thus, knowing the nuances and observing the correct application and removal technique, gel polish can be considered completely harmless. But from time to time to arrange your nails detox still does not hurt.
