Here in Houston, you pretty much need to be sandal-ready all year long. That's why so many women enjoy their pedicures here, winter spring and fall. It's also why we see so many signs of nail polish damage here in our Houston podiatry practice.
In the past, we've written about the benefits of taking a break from toenail polish during the winter months. And we're happy to report that many of our patients have heeded the warning. But what can we do for those of you who just can't seem to quit the pedicure cycle? In this post, we'll highlight the reasons why traditional polish brands damage your toenails. Then we'll help you find the perfect nail polish that doesn't damage nails, while also sharing tips to avoid the dangers of a salon pedicure by doing one yourself, at home!
Key Takeaways
- Traditional nail polishes and polish removers contain chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetone that damage your nail health
- Gel polish pedicures can cause further damage to the harsh nature of their application and removal; over time, they also increase your risk for skin cancer
- To avoid nail polish damage, look to the Dr.s' Remedy line of polishes that strengthen nails while helping reduce the risk of fungal nail infections
Table of Contents
Why You Get Nail Polish Damage
Why do so many pedicure fans end up with brittle, damaged and yellowing toenails? Here's the story.
Most polish brands available at spas and in drug stores contain dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde. The same is true of most nail polish removal products, as most nail polish contain acetone, again damaging to the toenails
Now, there are commercial polishes that minimize the effects of chemicals, but most people report them to be inferior. Similarly, the removers that don't contain acetone are simply not as effective. Thus, people go back to the damaging polished. Over time, especially with continual use, these chemicals will dry and damage your toenails.
Help: Gel Polish Ruined My Nails
If you think that regular nail polishes are bad for your nails, consider this: gel polishes are even worse for their health! When you take off traditional nail polish, you can see the results of all these chemicals on your nail surface: have you noticed that it appears to be pale, and white or yellow in color after your polish is removed? That's a sign that your have nail polish damage: it's weakened your nail, making it more susceptible to infection.
And when you choose gel polish? You can experience all the problems associated with typical polishes. Plus, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the process of applying and removing gel polish makes your nails brittle, and more prone to peel and crack. Even worse? Due to the UV rays needed to make your gel polish set, repeatedly choosing a gel polish pedicure increases your risk for skin cancer on your feet, along with premature skin aging.
Choosing Nail Polish That Doesn't Damage Nails
The obvious solution to preventing nail polish damage is to avoid pedicures entirely. But we don't expect you to make such a drastic choice. Instead, we encourage you to make better polish choices, selecting your favorite shade from the selection of Dr.s' Remedy polishes available for purchase at our Houston podiatry practice. Not only do these polishes avoid damaging your nails, they actually contain ingredients that can strengthen the nail and help reduce your risk for fungal toenail infections. (And that's important, because wearing nail polish will limit the efficacy of topical medications for toenail fungus.)
Preventing Nail Polish Damage and Other Pedicure Risks
Choosing nail polish that doesn't damage your nails is just the first step to pedicure safety. You see, when you head to a nail salon, there are so many other risks to your foot and nail health. Everything from soaks in a foot spa to improperly cleaned pedicure tools can increase your risk for infections. And even if your nail salon practices proper hygiene, common elements of a pedicure, such as removing your nail cuticle, also leave you vulnerable to infection.
Want to have pretty, healthy nails without sustaining damage or risking infection? We suggest embracing the perfect home pedicure. First, it's a great way to make sure you avoid nail polish damage, because you can choose your own product. Second, it decreases your risk for sustaining infections due to improper cleaning techniques at a nail salon. Finally, it will save you a good amount of money, making it easier to purchase a variety of colors from a nail polish brand that doesn't damage your nails.
Need more help optimizing your nail health? Have you already sustained nail damage or contracted a fungal toenail infection? We're here to help. Simply call Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider at 713-785-7881 or follow this link to request an appointment.
