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The sharp smell that emanates from a nail polish remover can be a big turn-off. It makes you wonder if you should be applying it on your nails in the first place. But that goes the same with the nail polish itself. This leaves us with the question, are nail polish remover fumes harmful?
Nail polish removers have been used since time immemorial with no reported adverse or fateful effects. However, prolonged inhaling of the fumes can cause some health complications. It has been reported that nail polish fumes can interfere with your brain. Apparently, it can make you slow and fuzzy.
Even though acetone is a present element in the human body, it has often been branded as the enemy. Most manufacturers’ have gone ahead to produce and label their removers as ‘acetone-free’. This has also become the major selling point for most nail polish removers.
However, according to the director of OPI Products, Paul Bryson; “Acetone is one of the safest solvents other than water.” Even with the statement, there is still a general concern about overall nail polish removers, acetone included. Keep reading to find out all about the potential effects of nail polish removers on your health and how you can protect yourself while using them.
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What Happens if You Inhale Nail Polish?
It all depends on how much and how long you are exposed to nail polish fumes. Too much of anything is never healthy. Not even the good old water. Most studies have been very controversial and subtle when it comes to this topic. Perhaps there has not been enough research and evidence on the same.
There are some serious and poisonous chemicals found in most nail polish. Some of them include but are not limited to; Toluene, Butyl acetate, Ethyl acetate, and Dibutyl phthalate. Most popular nail polish manufacturers are now going organic and they are removing most of these poisonous chemicals from their formulas.
Here are some of the things that can happen due to too much exposure to nail polish for longer periods.
· It Can Affect Bladder and Kidneys
Too much inhalation of nail polish fumes can have adverse effects on both your bladder and kidneys. These are the major organs that are responsible for the expulsion of toxic wastes from our bodies. Inhaling nail polish can increase the need to urinate most of the time. This can in turn lead to adverse hydration.
· Organ Irritation
Exposure to too much nail polish fumes can irritate the major open organs in your body. This includes your ears, eyes, mouth, throat, and nose. In a few extreme cases, inhalation and exposure can cause major damage to organs like eyes and severe sore throat.
· Nausea and Vomiting
Inhaling too much nail polish fumes can adversely affect your gastrointestinal system. Too much irritation to this system can cause nausea and vomiting. It can also cause abdominal pain and discomfort. All these eventually end up in hydration which is not good for your entire body system.
· Difficulty in Breathing
Nail polish fumes aren’t exactly kind to your lungs. This pair is responsible for the regulation of airflow in your entire body system. Breathing in these poisonous fumes can cause difficulty in breathing and slowed breathing rate. It can also cause shortness of breath. All these are not good especially if you have asthma and chest problems.
· Drowsiness and Confusion
Nail polish fumes are also known to affect your nervous system in many negative ways. It can cause drowsiness and balance e problems. This makes it difficult to operate machinery like driving. It can also cause headaches, seizures, hallucinations, euphoria, and even walking problems. In the extremes, it can also induce stupor and coma.
· Blood Circulation
The chemicals in the nail polish fumes can cause irregular heartbeat which could affect your functionality. It can also cause severe chest pains and if not well taken care of, this could lead to asthma and other terminal illnesses.
10 Ways to Get Rid of Nail Polish Remover Fumes
For as long as you love colored manicures, you can never get away from nail polish removers. You are stuck with it. However, the fumes that emanate as soon as you open that bottle can be intolerant. It doesn’t do good either to people with allergies. The good news is, there are a few tricks you can pull to dissolve the smell.
1. Coal or Sodium Bicarbonate
Both coal and sodium carbonate are known to contain elements that absorb and dissolve other smells. Perhaps it is because their natural smells are better and much overpowering. Place a plate of grounded coal or fresh sodium bicarbonate near you when you are doing your nails. This will help to dissolve the strong smell from your nail polish remover.
2. Essential Oils
Most essential oils have this sweet and calming scent. Perhaps that is why they are mostly used in aromatherapies and for calming baths. Pick the best essential oil of your choice and put a few drops in a large bowl of water. Stir the water to create that distinct scent that is strong enough to swallow any unpleasant smell including that of your nail polish remover.
3. Ground Coffee
There is nothing as holistically healing and calming as freshly ground coffee. You can use this method to kill two birds at a go. Prepare your favorite cup of coffee to drink while you are making your nails. Make another hot cup and place it near your workstation as you make your nails.
4. Lemon and Citrus Fruit
Lemon and citrus fruits in general always have this overpowering heavenly scent. Especially their peels. Peel a fresh healthy lemon and place it in a bowl of water to keep it fresh and to release more scent. Place the bowl in your workstation and proceed to do your nails. You can optionally use the peels in hot or cold water.
5. Open the Doors and Windows
Using nail polish removers in an open setting will help a lot to reduce the annoying smell. However, if you must use it indoors, always ensure that all your doors and windows are open. This will regulate fresh air flowing in and out of the room. If it makes it even better, you can use this method with either of the other methods like drinking a cup of freshly ground coffee.
6. Switch on the Fan
If you have a fan, it would be a good idea to switch it on. Especially if you can’t have the doors and windows open. Perhaps it is at night or during winter. Whatever the reason, switch on your fan and put it at high speed to regulate fresh air. This will fan away from the annoying fumes that are escaping from your nail polish remover and it gives you a fresh environment to work in.
7. Use Air Freshener
Air fresheners are both lifesavers and wonder-workers. Especially if you have to deal with a foul smell without any notice. Always read the label of your air freshener to ensure that you are not buying something that just covers up but something strong enough to completely eliminate any unwanted smell. Spray some of this freshener while you are during or after using the remover.
8. Close the Bottle
Always tightly close your nail polish remover when you are not using it. As soon as you have put enough on your cotton ball, tightly seal the bottle and proceed with your nails. This will prevent any further fumes from escaping. Besides that, sealing the bottle will keep important and active components from carelessly escaping.
9. Store Away the Removers
As soon as you are done doing your nails, tightly seal all the nail polish bottles. Store them away from the living areas and rooms that you are likely to use often. If you have a make-up refrigerator, that will even work better for you. It will not only lock away the smell but will also preserve and give longevity to your nail polish remover.
10. Use Tea Bags
Even though coffee works best compared to teabags, don’t hesitate to grab two or three tea bags if you have no fresh ground coffee in the house. Immerse the tea bags in a cup of hot water to release more scents that will dissolve the irritating nail polish remover odor. Stir the hot water every time the sweet tea bag scent seems to die.
15 Natural Nail Polish Removers
Just like the regular nail polish going all organic and toxic-free, nail polish removers have not been left behind. They have evolved too. This makes manicure a more safe and healthy space for your nails. Most popular nail polish removers have gone three-free and here are some of the brands you should invest in.
1. Treat Collection Gentle Remover
It is said that integrity fears no scrutiny. Well, this one nail polish remover is trustworthy and can free post of integrity. You can put your heart on this five-free remover. It is formulated with safe ingredients such as argan oils and all the necessary Vitamins. This remover is gentle for the skin around your finger and it is strong enough to work magic with one swipe.
2. Acquarella Water Color
This non-toxic solution is everything that your manicured nails need. It is non-oil-based and is formulated to clean off the nail polish with a single swipe. This organic vegan brand is formulated mostly with alcohol derived from vegetables and fruits. It is free from the controversial acetone and emollient elements that most other brands have.
3. No Miss Almost Natural Remover
This nail polish remover is all-natural and formulated specifically to be gentle and kind to your nails. It is all-natural with no added acetone. It does not contain either the volatile organic carbons. This nail polish remover is a keeper. It is cruelty-free and has a vanilla smell. You will never have to fight the annoying typical remover smell with this bottle.
4. Suncoat Plant Based Nail Polish Remover
Just as the name suggests, this nail polish remover is plant-based. Suncoat is a popular brand and you must have heard of all its goodness. It is both organic and mineral-based. The minerals will help to strengthen your nails especially if they are weak and brittle. Its organic ingredients are extracted from corn stock fermentation. The remover is enriched with vitamin E.
5. Honeybee Gardens Nail Polish Remover
Your nails will thank you for this acetone-free nail polish remover. This remover will not only wash the nail polish away but will also act as a strengthener for your nails. This is all thanks to the horsetail extracts in it. This product also has Vitamin E and Aloe vera to meet its vegan tag. They are both active in soothing and repairing your cuticles.
6. Tate’s the Natural Miracle Remover
This nail polish remover is odorless and unlike other popular brands, you won’t need to perform any rituals like peeling lemons while using it. It is both organic and mineral-based. There’s a lot your nails will reap from this product. It works 50X faster than most other brands. Aside from that, it will leave your nails strong and moisturized.
7. Piggy Paint Nail Polish Remover
Piggy Paint is both the rage and the holy grail in the nail industry. You will love it right from its packaging to its effectiveness. This formulation is well balanced with only four organic ingredients. It has corn extracts, aloe vera, and vitamin E. It also has an embittering agent. All these ingredients will act as removers, moisturizers, and best of all, strengtheners for your nails.
8. Olive and June Nail Polish Remover
You will love this acetone-free pot of nail polish remover. This is an excellent alternative especially if you are going all organic. It is so gentle and kind on the nails because of its cruelty-free formula. You will love this convenient vegan pot. All you have to do is to dip in your nails and voila! You have your natural nails back.
9. Pr.01-Soy Polish Remover
This product is clean and non-toxic. They are formulated not to only remove nail polish but to also moisturize and strengthen them. The soy ingredient is responsible for hydrating your nails and nourishing them. Besides that, it has three essential vitamins. They are all infused with relaxing grapefruit. You will love the soothing and relaxing experience of the grape extracts.
10. Expert Touch Lacquer Remover
This OPI classic will do a lot of good things for your nails. It is extremely effective and penetrating to remove even the most stubborn color nail polish. It works many times faster and more effectively than the regular chemical nail polish removers. It will moisturize and hydrate your nails and cuticles leaving them soft and smooth.
11. Takeoff Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover
Unlike most drying nail polish removers, this acetone-free remover has essential oils in it. You will love the soothing scent of this remover. It is more effective than the traditional removers and you will need only a swipe to get your nails done. The sea rose scent is everything you want while pampering your nails other than the removers with heavy alcohol smell.
12. Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover
No list can ever be complete without Sally Hansen’s product in it. This remover will strengthen your weak and brittle nails. Other than that, it is enriched with vitamins and proteins that are good for healthy strong nails. The gelatin in it is very effective and works much faster than most other removers. Besides that, it softens and moisturizes the cuticles.
13. Static Nails Odorless Remover
This nail polish remover is gentle and odorless. You can use it in the comfort of your closed room. A little bit of this nail polish remover goes along. It is highly effective with just a single swipe with your cotton ball. All the natural ingredients in this remover are hydrating both to your nails and the skin around them. This acetone-free remover is strong enough to even deal with stubborn glitters.
14. Cutex Ultra-Powerful Nail Polish Remover
Who doesn’t love the subtle alluring scent of cucumber? This nail polish remover is designed with a relaxing soothing aroma. You will love how it leaves your nails hydrated and smooth. On the flip side, this product is 98% acetone for fast and effective action. This might not come out as a good idea for most people but that is what cutex has in store for you.
15. Deborah Lippman Nail Polish Remover
This nail polish remover is the holy grail in the nail industry. You will love all the double-action