Acrylic Nails and Pregnancy

Acrylic nails and pregnancy are discussed widely today. This is because women want to get acrylic nails done, but are not sure if they can do it through the pregnancy period.

What are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are artificial nails, which are pasted on your original nails. These nails are made from a mixture of a powder and a liquid. The liquid that is used is usually Ethyl methacrylate (EMA ) or Methyl methacrylate (MMA). Methyl methacrylate is the cheaper of the two. There are many known side effects of using methyl methacrylate. Hence, it is always better to ask the manicurist about the liquid that he is going to use. For more information on the types of acrylic nails, you can also refer to white acrylic nails.

Acrylic Nails and Pregnancy
People choose to have acrylic nails, if they have problems growing their original nails or if their own nails are brittle. There are some, who use it for aesthetic reasons. The other category of people who get acrylic nails, do it so that they outgrow their nail biting habit.

There are fumes, which are emitted when acrylic nails are pasted on the original nails. People are apprehensive about acrylic nails and pregnancy. Breathing these fumes can pose a danger to pregnant women. Therefore, it is suggested that a pregnant women does not opt for acrylic nails when she is pregnant.

The chemicals which are used, while making these nails, can be absorbed into the natural nail. Although there are no studies that are actually conducted in regard to acrylic nails and pregnancy, the US food and drug administration has come to a conclusion that methyl methacrylate is harmful and poses a health hazard, if it is used. Methyl methacrylate can cause allergic reactions in some people. As a result, many saloons have started using ethyl methacrylate. Though ethyl methacrylate is used it is always safe to confirm, which of the liquids is used, even when you are not pregnant.

If a pregnant women wants to get acrylic nails done she should not do so in the first trimester of her pregnancy. The first trimester is a crucial trimester and chances of harming the fetus due to the chemicals are more. The acrylic nails can be done in the second trimester, when the risk is lower as compared to the first. In the third trimester the risk is high, therefore, attaching acrylic nails should be avoided.

If at all a woman wants to get acrylic nails, she should wear a protective mask. At the same time she should take care that the chemicals do not find their way onto the skin. The adhesive that is used to paste the acrylic nail often contains cyanoacrylate. The possibility of inhaling this dangerous chemical while you file your nails, is very high. To obtain more information, refer to acrylic nail care products.

Pregnant women can choose to take an appointment with the nail art technician in the morning. That is the time when the fumes will be comparatively lesser than the latter part of the day. You can even confirm if the manicure tables have a built-in ventilation system in place, so that the fumes can be exhausted and chances of you inhaling them are reduced. After you have got your set of acrylic nails made, take appropriate care and wash your hands a couple of times, so as to ensure that any chemicals on the skin do not find their way into your stomach.

Studies have shown, that there are chances of a miscarriage in the early months of pregnancy, due to high exposure to acetone. The solvents also affect the nervous system of the fetus and can cause learning disabilities and developmental delays. The other health hazard of using acrylic nails is that there is a possibility of bacteria and nail fungus growing between the acrylic and the natural nail.

For more information read:

• Acrylic nail tips
• Acrylic nail care

It is better not to get acrylic nails done during pregnancy. So that you are able to avoid the known, as well as unknown hazards of the chemicals that are used. I will rather attempt not to get acrylic nails and pregnancy together.