The question of whether it is possible to paint nails during pregnancy worries many expectant mothers, along with questions of whether it is possible to dye hair and use makeup during this period. And all because it is believed that nail polish contains substances that can potentially harm the unborn child. Whether this is true or not, we will try to find out in this material.
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Manicure and pedicure
Manicure is a procedure that consists of various stages: working with the shape of the nails, removing the cuticle, and applying varnish. Manicure varies by type:
- Classic (edged). It is considered the most common option. It is also often made at home. Hands are placed in a warm bath, and then the cuticle and hangnails are removed.
- European. The cuticle is lubricated with a special product. Then it is moved aside and removed.
- Hardware. In this case, a grinding machine is used.
Reference! It is not prohibited for a pregnant girl to do a manicure, but it is best to use the classic method.
Pedicure is a safe procedure, so it can be performed during pregnancy. But it is not recommended to do paraffin therapy, because this procedure has contraindications. You also need to be careful with the products you use.
Is it possible to do a coating?
The gel polish contains unsafe components. They negatively affect the female body and the development of the fetus. Components that can have a negative effect on the body:
- Formaldehyde. It has an unpleasant smell. Causes headaches and various allergic reactions.
- Camphor. Increases uterine tone and can also affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- Toluene. Necessary for quick drying of the varnish. This is a strong solvent. If it enters a woman’s body, it can adversely affect the child.
- Butylated hydroxyanisole. It also has a negative effect on the body of a pregnant woman.
If the gel polish contains one of the components, then it is recommended to avoid manicure.
Basic rules of manicure for pregnancy
1. When coating your nails with varnish, try to use higher quality and proven brands of varnish, since their composition is the safest compared to cheap and low-quality brands.
2. Try to find nail polishes that do not contain substances such as formaldehyde and toluene, or those in which they are written in the last place in the composition.
3. To minimize poisoning of the body due to inhalation of harmful fumes, do your manicure in well-ventilated rooms or areas.
4. Find a nail polish remover that does not contain acetone. There are now a lot of such solutions, and they can be bought at any specialized store.
5. Avoid blowing on your nails to help them dry faster. Let your nails take longer to dry, but you won’t inhale toxic “odors” again.
6. After performing procedures related to nails, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap, because there is a high probability that toxic substances can enter your body through your hands while eating.
7. And lastly. When you are close to your due date, it is better to give preference to natural nails without any coating. The most important thing is that your nails are short, and the manicure does not interfere with you or distract you once again.
We can summarize briefly that in an interesting position and being at the stage of feeding the baby, you can paint your nails. But it is better to reduce this procedure to a minimum.
Pros and cons of using gel polish
It is also important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this coating.
Attention! Currently, the safest coating is shellac.
Main advantages:
- In terms of time, a manicure is done faster than gel polish.
- Another performance technique.
- Shellac is great for thin nails.
- Nails are not injured.
- Shellacs last a long time. The shades are quite bright.
The advantages of gel polish are as follows:
- The nail plate is not clogged.
- Durable, so manicures can be done less often.
- Safe varnish can be used after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
But there are also negative points, which are as follows:
- The work uses solvents that emit unsafe fumes.
- Any coating cannot be done before 12 weeks.
- Due to hormonal fluctuations, the service life of the coating may differ from the declared one, and sometimes peel off and crack.
Important! Any manicure must be done carefully, because some of the vitamins are washed out of the nails under the influence of hormones. Nails become soft and brittle.
Manicure during pregnancy: myths and reality
Every pregnant woman cares first of all about her health and the safety of her baby. Therefore, many refuse hair coloring, haircuts, manicures and pedicures, associating this with possible harm to the child. But you can remain beautiful and well-groomed even while expecting a child. ManiQu nail service experts answer the most common questions about manicures during pregnancy.
Can pregnant women get trimmed manicures?
Trimming manicure always carries a risk of injury. Even sterile instruments can carry microbes under the skin that are on the surface of a person’s hands or in the air. During pregnancy, not only the woman, but also the unborn child is at risk. Therefore, we recommend pregnant women a European (uncut) manicure, which does not use metal tools and eliminates the risk of even small wounds. The master shapes the nails, gently treats the cuticles with an orange stick and a special softening agent.
Are shellac and pregnancy compatible?
In the production of professional gel polishes, compounds that are potentially dangerous to the expectant mother and fetus are not used. But no master can be responsible for the durability of a manicure: due to hormonal changes occurring in a woman’s body, the coating can crack and fall off.
Is it possible to get a hardware manicure during pregnancy?
Yes, but in case of hormonal changes and deformation of the nail plate - be careful. Some vitamins and microelements are washed out of the nails under the influence of pregnancy hormones. Nails become soft, brittle, begin to peel, their surface changes - “waves”, longitudinal and transverse grooves appear. In such a situation, hardware techniques are used with caution.
Is it possible to do nail extensions and strengthening?
The procedure for extending and strengthening nails is not dangerous when it comes to gel extensions - the materials are attached to the upper keratin layers of the nail and do not interact with living structures. Under no circumstances should you use acrylic: this material is dangerous, and not only for pregnant women! The whole house stinks so much that you want to run away. Super harmful stuff.
Is it possible to get a manicure before giving birth?
It is often not recommended to paint your nails with colored polish. During any operation or childbirth, the doctor can determine the patient’s condition by the color of the nail plate, because they instantly respond to any changes in the body. Check with your doctor whether he would be against a beautiful design on your nails during childbirth: with the development of medical technology, the ban on colored nails is gradually becoming a thing of the past.
Is it possible to get a pedicure during pregnancy?
A pregnant woman's gait changes, and calluses form on her feet in places where there were none before. Pedicures are difficult to do on your own, especially in late pregnancy. Visiting the salon is also not easy.
Victoria, 28 years old: “I wanted to go to the maternity hospital with well-groomed legs. I was pregnant with twins, and at the 8th month I could not only trim my toenails on my own, but even simple going up and down the stairs was difficult for me, especially in winter clothes. A ManiQu service specialist came to my home with all the necessary tools and quickly performed a pedicure. During the procedure, we took short breaks - I could walk around the house, stretch my back, go to the toilet.”
Are nail polishes dangerous during pregnancy?
Cheap varnishes are harmful in most cases. It is unlikely that a manufacturer of cheap varnish uses high-quality, expensive raw materials. Often in the compositions of inexpensive varnishes you can find components that are prohibited in Europe. That is why ManiQu craftsmen work with high-quality varnishes from OPI and Essie brands.
Anastasia, 21 years old: “My nails were constantly peeling, I tried a lot of medicinal varnishes, but I didn’t notice the effect. The ManiQu service master explained to me that delamination can occur with both excess and lack of moisture in the keratin layers. I had excess moisture, and I bought myself moisturizing varnishes. Now I understand why there was no effect. The master helped me choose a polish, and after a month my nails became noticeably stronger and stopped peeling.”
Precautions for manicure
- Varnish components: free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate.
- Materials from leading Western manufacturers, at least not from China.
- Ventilation of the room.
The salon does not always provide the opportunity to stretch or walk. It is more comfortable for a pregnant woman to perform a manicure at home to prevent numbness on the body.
What to look for when choosing a master?
- The instrument is sterile or disposable. To ensure sterility, the ManiQu master takes with him on a shift as many sterile sets of instruments as he currently has clients. Each set of instruments is sterilized in the office. The package is opened in the presence of the client.
- It is better to have a corporate rather than a private master. This will ensure that instrument processing standards and service quality are maintained.
- A professional master has a medical book - do not hesitate to ask for it. He brings a cap, robe and all the tools with him.
Call by phone to call a manicurist at a time convenient for you, or make an appointment through the website.
Doctors' recommendations
All experts say that up to 12 weeks (in the early stages of the first trimester) it is better to refrain from manicure, so as not to harm your unborn baby.
In the last weeks of pregnancy, you can apply gel polish to your nails, but only use safe products.
Before the procedure, be sure to familiarize yourself with the contraindications:
- Peeling nails.
- Various infections.
- Allergic reactions.
- Presence of toxicosis.
- There are problems with the respiratory system.
Childbirth and manicure: passion for shellac and stiletto nails
There are real “horror stories” circulating on forums for pregnant women about how unfortunate mothers in labor are forced to rip off gel polish “with meat” right in the emergency department of the maternity hospital, almost bite off their extended nails with their teeth, and other horrors. Do such brutal rules and requirements really exist? We'll talk to the experts.
Let's start with the fact that on the official website of the Central Children's Center in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section there are instructions about the manicure of the expectant mother. It looks like this:
“RECOMMENDED: <…> trim your nails and remove the polish.”
Hmm, it doesn’t look like a strict requirement, but just good advice to the expectant mother on how to prepare for childbirth.
Why is this even so important? Igor Yurievich Kopyrin, deputy chief physician of Maternity Hospital No. 1 in the city of Tula, explains:
Igor Yurievich Kopyrin
- Excessive manicure can really interfere - it can introduce unnecessary risks into the childbirth process. It's all about pulse oximeters: a thick coating (for example, gel polish) interferes with the proper operation of these devices, which almost everyone knows about now due to the coronavirus. By the way, before, in the pre-Covid era, this was quite difficult to explain. And now, thanks to the awareness of the population, everything is much simpler. Pulse oximeters in maternity hospitals are used during anesthesia and surgical interventions to monitor pulse and blood oxygen saturation levels. The obstetrician-gynecologist and anesthesiologist rely on these data when performing operations or anesthetizing a woman in labor. If the expectant mother has an inappropriate manicure, then specialists will not identify the pathology in time and will not be able to react.
As for the length, it’s all about practicality: with nails that are too long, it’s inconvenient to care for a newborn, and you can easily damage his delicate skin.
So, should expectant mothers give up covering and cut their nails “down to the meat”?
Not at all. According to Igor Yuryevich, a thin layer of varnish will not harm the mother, and a neat, comfortable length will not interfere with caring for the baby.
We also discussed the choice of manicure before childbirth with an experienced Tula master Svetlana Kolomeichuk:
Svetlana Kolomeichuk
“I definitely recommend that my clients who are about to give birth give up long nails, both their own and those extended. I myself am a fan of this manicure, the length is convenient and comfortable for me, but before giving birth I removed it: if I’m not used to it, the baby can really be injured.
As for the shape, my advice to expectant mothers is to make a classic oval. This is a streamlined natural nail shape. Smooth, as natural and safe as possible. No hard squares, sharp edges or stilettos!
“As for coverage, this is a very individual question,” Svetlana continues. “You can, of course, remove it altogether; for some, that’s what we do.” But there are girls who feel uncomfortable with bare nails. Then I offer two acceptable and aesthetic options:
- medicinal varnish (also called boost therapy, this is a polymer coating with oils that covers the scales of the nail plate and makes it healthier; it looks like a regular transparent varnish + also strengthens the nails);
- transparent gel polish in a very thin layer if the nail is very fragile.
Why transparent? This is my recommendation - both as a master and as an experienced mother. Firstly, it will definitely not interfere with doctors if surgical interventions are necessary. Secondly, it will save you from unnecessary questions in the emergency room - there is already enough stress during childbirth to artificially create it for yourself out of nowhere, irritating the doctors with a colored manicure. Thirdly, it will look aesthetically pleasing even as the nail grows, because it is unknown when, after the birth of the child, you will see your nail technician again.
In general, nothing and no one prevents the expectant mother from maintaining her usual “pre-pregnancy” beauty rituals, just with some minimal adjustments for the position. Minus another myth about pregnancy and childbirth!
Advice for pregnant women
The final decision remains only with the woman, but it is still important to listen to the recommendations:
- Get your manicure done only in trusted salons. All instruments must be sterilized.
- The air in the office should be fresh and clean, and most importantly, free of pungent odors.
- Protect your hands from ultraviolet radiation. Use sunscreen before going to the salon.
- Cover your nails only with high-quality shellac.
- If you feel unwell, have a headache, or your general condition worsens, then the procedure must be completed.
Nail design at home
Today, going to a salon to see a professional hairdresser is not a cheap pleasure. If you want to do a manicure yourself at home, you can do it without any problems, the main thing is to have a little desire and free time.
To work, it is enough to acquire one varnish with the desired effect.
Today in stores you can find options with unusual inclusions: cat's eye, craquelure, mirror, sugar and much more. There are also “cosmic” and glow-in-the-dark coatings. They are ideal for girls who want to stand out from the crowd.
The photo shows nail designs with mirror, sugar, craquelure, glowing, cat's eye and cosmic effects.
Shellac
Shellac or gel polish is one of the most popular coatings. It is based on natural resins, which are fixed using ultraviolet light. This type has a huge number of undeniable advantages. It stays on the nails for a long time, does not lose its appearance and does not harm the nail plate.
Homemade nail designs with gel polish have become a real trend and have replaced thick acrylic coatings.
Today, the field of nail art is developing rapidly. More and more new trends are emerging that are displacing relics of the past. In this article we told you about all sorts of methods and types of nail manicure designs.
Nail design ideas for the expectant mother
Attention! Any mother wants to look well-groomed and beautiful, especially when it comes to her nails.
When it comes to design, there are many interesting options for pregnant women.
- Classic French manicure using glitter. You can use neat and small rhinestones. Classic always remains in fashion.
- Minimalism, plain. Nails are painted in one shade. The color depends on the client's wishes.
- With drawings and patterns. Very often, preference is given to drawings in the form of a stroller, a baby, etc.
- Ombre, gradient. Visually makes nails longer. It is advisable to use delicate shades.
French manicure with glitter:
Plain manicure:
Minimalism:
Manicure with drawings:
Gradient:
Pedicure during pregnancy
A pedicure in a beauty salon during pregnancy, especially in the later stages, when it is difficult for you to reach your toes, will greatly help you maintain well-groomed feet and a good mood. The main thing is disinfected instruments and the accuracy of the master. A light foot massage during the procedure will also be very beneficial. But there are a few points worth paying attention to.
1. There are points on the feet, pressure on which reduces pain, discomfort and problems in other parts of the body. One of them is directly responsible for the genital organs, and specifically for the uterus. By applying pressure to this point, a professional can induce contractions, but if done too early, premature labor may occur. It is unlikely that an amateur will cause such an effect by accident, but massage in the area between the ankle and heel is still best avoided.
2. The water in the bath for steaming your feet should not be too hot and steaming your feet for a long time is also not recommended to avoid miscarriage.
3. If during a pedicure the master massages your legs up to the knee, he must make sure that you do not have blood clots. Pregnant women are especially susceptible to their formation.
4. We talked about fumes of formaldehyde and toluenes above, so make sure that the varnishes are safe for you or that the room is often ventilated.
Building up
Nail extensions during pregnancy is a rather sensitive topic. The specialist cannot prohibit doing this procedure, but the client should also be aware of any possible consequences.
The main risk lies in the compositions that are used in the work process:
- Base, top.
- Degreaser.
- Gel polishes.
- Klinser.
- Primer, etc.
Important! Doctors and masters do not recommend doing nail extensions, because acrylic has an aggressive composition. It may cause allergic reactions.
Why remove your manicure on the eve of giving birth?
Indeed, doctors warn that you should not apply manicure on the eve of childbirth. Everything is explained simply: childbirth is not an easy process, and it is difficult to predict the behavior of a woman in labor. If she has long nails, then she can easily get hurt by them. Or deform the wall (scratch), sheets, appliance wires. In a word, it is unsafe.
Women in labor often clench their hands into fists (which is also not worth doing), and if she has long nails, then the risk of injury is very high.
Finally, manicure requires care and correction. Will the young mother have time for this? What will the situation look like when a woman in the ward takes out a cosmetic bag, from there a nail polish, nail polish remover with specific and definitely unhealthy odors? No matter how you look at it, you need to give up long nails and bright nail polish before giving birth.
5 ridiculous fears that arise during pregnancy
But no one will prohibit:
- Neat, non-flashy pedicure that does not require immediate correction;
- Short-cut nails with neat cuticles, coated with light or clear varnish.
Well, gel nails are not a beauty that you can’t refuse. They will take up too much time from the young mother. And, at least at first, it’s difficult to care for a baby with long nails.
Useful procedures
A pregnant woman can use various SPA procedures that will have a positive effect on the nail plate. The care is aimed at nourishing, moisturizing and softening the skin of the hands.
Reference. During pregnancy, you can do various massages and use safe cosmetics. You can make warm baths at home.
You should not refuse caring procedures during pregnancy. The main thing is to choose the right material so as not to harm the body and the baby. It is also recommended to consult a specialist.
Is it worth getting your nails done?
If it is permissible to perform a simple traditional manicure and cover your nails with shellac, pregnant women should refuse nail extensions.
The fact is that the procedure involves removing the top layer of the nail plate and using materials containing harmful components:
- formaldehyde - used to bind nail polish and nails. The substance is dangerous for pregnant women, as it negatively affects the immunity of the mother and baby, contributes to the development of allergies and other pathologies;
- camphor - vapors provoke an increase in uterine tone;
- toluene - vapors negatively affect the development of the fetal nervous system.
Don't forget about the possibility of an allergic reaction. Doctors recommend refraining from the procedure for those who have an unstable emotional background. There is a high probability of material rejection.
Is gel polish harmful for pregnant women and children?
Today, few women cover their nails with simple varnish. The 21st century is the era of gel polish. It has a number of advantages over the classic version:
- lasts a long time - the procedure does not need to be repeated every 3-5 days;
- less toxic;
- does not require trauma to the nail plate.
Along with the above advantages, nail coating has a number of disadvantages. Often pregnant girls complain about the strong smell of solvent. The restructuring that occurs in the body of the expectant mother provokes the possibility of shellac peeling.
Is it worth using shellac during late pregnancy?
If the master has certain qualifications, uses high-quality material and sterilizes the instrument, the manicure will not have a negative impact. Even during late pregnancy. The question of whether to paint with shellac or not is up to the expectant mother to decide.
