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Cosmetics: safe or unsafe

Cosmetics: safe or unsafe?

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The official description of a “cosmetic” is:

Article 2 of the UK Cosmetics Regulation (UKCR – Schedule 34 of the Product Safety and Metrology Statutory Instrument) and the EU Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009) incorporates the following definition of a cosmetic product:

A “cosmetic product” shall mean any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips, and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odours and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.

(This is for the UK and the EU but it is a global description)

Nearly all of the products that are contained in this description are designed for use and contact with the skin. Of course, some of the 100’s of ingredients will prove to be irritants or an allergy to some. This can apply to any substance that comes into contact with, is ingested, or inhaled by us. Food allergies are just one such example. It is very unfortunate when this happens, but no one knows it will until it happens. 

A VERY BIG BUT here:

For us in the nail industry, EVERY nail coating we use (even traditional nail polish, although this is a low-level example) is NOT designed to touch the skin, be ingested, or be inhaled. 

We MUST know this and not wait to see if an allergy happens! Allergies are avoidable! It isn’t a gamble; it is a guarantee!! Touch the skin in any of the many ways, inhale or ingest: then it is not an “if”, it is a “when”!

Every ingredient in nail coatings of any kind must be approved for cosmetic use (following the local Cosmetic Ingredients Regulations).  Each nail coating label should have “Avoid skin contact”.
And it really does mean this! Not the tiny touch that “doesn’t matter”! Not the little overlap wiped off with a thumbnail or an orangewood stick! And, most definitely, not an improperly cured coating that can leach out or be released during shaping or removal! (LINK)

Selling many “professional” coatings in the retail market (including online) is dangerous. The consumer does not understand neither the science, nor how to work cleanly and safely! Do YOU, as a nail professional? Since July in the UK and EU, HEMA and di-HEMA have been banned from retail sale products for just this reason. 

Just to reinforce this information, included is a picture of a nail pro’s arm. Some ‘rubber base’ was spilled on the desk. It was cleaned well with alcohol (IPA actually). No trace of it was noticed. It was then leaned on, and this horrible reaction appeared overnight. And it is VERY sore! 

The brand is irrelevant but the product has a high level of monomers, specifically HEMA, as it happens. 

We are seeing more and more allergies. Not nearly enough nail pros are able to recognize a possible allergy, and are ‘diagnosing’ all sorts of misinformation. Once an allergy exists there is no going back. The ingredient/s need to be identified and avoided forever. This can result in the end of a career or a client unable to wear anything but nail polish forever!

Understand and believe in the science!

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An individual who is qualified to provide a wide range of nail services.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_baa8ae623f74223e4e4f51d31e9cf568":"

Contact dermatitis<\/div>
Allergic contact dermatitis\n

Dermatitis is a general term used for any type of skin condition or inflammation or irritation. Contact dermatitis describes a skin condition that has been caused by an irritant (Irritant Contact Dermatitis) or an allergen (Allergic Contact Dermatitis).<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_edc507d8d6f423b2441a4ed723bfa2a1":"

Allergic reaction<\/div>
\n

This is the reaction of the body to an invasion of a chemical substance or allergen that could be harmful or that the body has developed a sensitivity to. <\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_a656a2a40632c1e29663156211bbc0bd":"

Nail coatings<\/div>
\n

Any product used to coat a finger or toe nail for strength or to add length and\/or colour.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_47ffca807399854a8cf9ed917af26471":"

Nail polish<\/div>
\n

A cosmetic product that coats the nails with a colour or clear film for strength and\/or an aesthetic quality. It is full of solvents that dry by evaporation.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_aafba9239165066267078e1636a978c6":"

Onycholysis<\/div>
Onycholysis\n

Onycholysis<\/a>, a condition where the nail plate lifts from the nail bed. There can be many reasons for this, such as a fungal infection, mechanical damage, allergic reaction. Nails should be kept short and clean and a diagnosis of the cause sought from a medical practitioner.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_726676b2500718705d6078b640f6e359":"

Epidermis<\/div>
epidermis\n

The outermost of three layers of the skin covering the human body.\u00a0 It is a protective layer and provides a barrier from pathogens. Its thickness varies depending where on the body it is situated.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_f45b9a89158ccab32d0de5e415a06686":"

Cosmetics<\/div>
Cosmetics\n

The definition of a cosmetic is, officially: A \"cosmetic product\" shall mean any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and\/or correcting body odours and\/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_1256c04862bdc6c8fe0105389d4f595c":"

Allergy<\/div>
Allergy Symptoms\n

The reaction of the body to certain chemicals that it sees as a threat to health. It is a permanent condition.
<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_df05eb08db9e67ae0ee501e6714c6584":"

Monomers<\/div>
\n

Single units of molecules \u2013 the building blocks of polymers and the polymerisation process. <\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_e14623b52242301c74ec968ef95bc259":"

Chemical<\/div>
Chemical\n

A chemical is a form of matter that can exist as a gas, a solid, a liquid or plasma. Everything in the universe is a chemical except for energy: heat and light. We are made of 100% chemicals; the air is full of chemicals; water is a chemical. Marketing terms that use \u2018chemical free\u2019 are misleading and just wrong. NOTHING except energy is chemical free. It is a way for marketers to provide a false sense of security that is, plainly, unethical.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_010053c089a17f831365ec13343999d7":"

Coating<\/div>
\n

A coating in nail services terms is any product that is applied to the nail plate<\/a> and leaves a layer of product. It can be traditional nail polish, a strengthening product, a UV gel product, an L&P product.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_55369511233ea7dc3ec969dc71ce48b2":"

Polish<\/div>
\n

Polish, also known as nail polish or nail enamel, is a cosmetic product that is applied to the nails to add color and shine. It is typically made from a combination of nitrocellulose, a solvent, and pigments or dyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_028573aa40ce1f3cceb26ad80ad33592":"

Cure \/ Curing<\/div>
\n

This is the term used to describe the polymerization process for the acrylics (whether uv gels or l&p systems) used in nail coatings. A 'proper cure' is what should be achieved which is when, at least, 80% of the coating has been polymerised. Anything less than this is considered to be 'under-cured' and can cause an allergic reaction. \"Over-curing\" would be when the nail coating is cured in a lamp that has a stronger output than what the manufacturer recommends, and it will make the nail coating brittle.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_129b83559723b658d1dd3693617a7b6f":"

HEMA<\/div>
\n

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate\u00a0(HEMA) - this is a commonly used monomer in many nail products (and many others). It is a known allergen but relatively safe at or below the recommended percentage (35%). It is mostly concerned with adhesion but products with known allergen ingredients must be used correctly and safely i.e no contact with the skin and properly cured. Developing an allergy to this, as well as to several other monomers, has other implications as they are used in dental and\u00a0orthopaedic procedures.\u00a0Anyone who develops an allergy is strongly\u00a0recommended to have a\u00a0dermatological test to discover which ingredients they are allergic to. Then, this ingredient\/s must be avoided for life, and their dentist and orthopaedic\u00a0consultant should be notified.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_de1742f8900dd98b611af8bca55d2176":"

IPA<\/div>
\n

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) - Used as a nail plate cleanser and for the removal of the \u2018inhibition layer\u2019 on many UV cured coatings. For an efficient nail plate cleanser a mix of IPA and acetone is ideal. They each remove different types of oils and temporarily dehydrate the surface of the nail plate in readiness for the application of a coating.<\/p>\n<\/div>"}}; -->