Does the nail plate absorb any chemicals found in the products we use?

Q. I want to be able to provide my clients with the most accurate information possible. I know our nail plates can absorb moisture via water and oil but do they absorb acetone and other chemicals through gel polish, acrylics or regular nail lacquers?

Understanding the Nail Plate’s Resistance

An unbroken nail plate is very difficult to penetrate, and that’s what I believe you are asking. Our skin and nails are a barrier between us and the outside word. Our nail beds are covered with this tough, highly impenetrable nail plate barrier that prevents penetration.

Other than nail oils and water, not much else will penetrate very far past the upper layers of the nail plate.

Smoker’s Stain: A Surface-Level Absorption

A good example would be a smoker’s stain on the nail plate. The tars and nicotine absorb into the nail plate, these can’t absorb very deeply, so instead they pool just under the upper surface of the nail plate to form a stain that becomes increasingly darker with additional exposure. The reason the stain becomes darker is because the nicotine (and tars) can’t penetrate any deeper, so they collect in one area.

The Evaporative Nature of Acetone and Its Effect on Penetration

Acetone is also very volatile and evaporates too quickly from the nail plate to penetrate very far.

Unlikeliness of Deep Penetration into the Nail Plate.

So, in short, it is unlikely that any significant amounts of the nail products you mentioned can absorb beyond the surface or upper layers of the nail plate.

Conclusion

The nail plate acts as a robust and formidable barrier, protecting our nail beds from absorbing most chemicals found in the products we use. With its tough and impenetrable nature, the unbroken nail plate prevents substances from reaching deeper layers. While certain elements like nicotine and tars from smoking may create surface stains, they cannot penetrate beyond the upper surface of the nail plate. Similarly, volatile substances like acetone evaporate too quickly to have significant absorption.

Apart from water and nail oils, the majority of ingredients in nail products are restricted to the upper layers of the nail plate, ensuring that they do not permeate further. Therefore, concerns regarding the absorption of harmful chemicals into the bloodstream through the nails are unfounded, as the nail plate’s protective properties prevent such deep penetration.

Overall, understanding the limitations of nail plate absorption provides reassurance about the safety of using nail products. Maintaining nail health and hygiene remains a vital aspect of personal care, and with the knowledge that the nail plate acts as a natural safeguard, we can confidently enjoy our favorite nail treatments without undue worry about chemical absorption.