#beauty #women health #infectious diseases+2

Can a Manicure Harm Your Health?

28 octobre 2025

3 min de lecture

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Initially, manicures were done for health benefits: long nails were trimmed to avoid breakage and for hygiene purposes. Today, manicures are primarily done for beauty and aesthetic purposes. Few people think about how manicures affect health.

Points clés

Initially, manicures were done for health benefits: long nails were trimmed to avoid breakage and for hygiene purposes.
Beware of infection
Long and dangerous

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Ceux qui explorent Women's health à travers beauty, women health.

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Auteur de l'article

Dr. Lola

dermatologist, cosmetologist

Beware of infection

Even an experienced manicurist can traumatize the skin of the client. If the tools were not carefully disinfected, you can get HIV, hepatitis B, streptococci, staphylococci, or fungus through the wound.

Long and dangerous

Long nails are fashionable, but a large amount of bacteria can accumulate under them. This bacteria can be difficult to reach, even by washing your hands regularly. The bacteria can easily get into your body with the food you hold with your hands or when you rub your eyes or touch your mouth and nose.

American biologist Jeffrey Kaplan found 32 types of bacteria and 28 varieties of fungi under women's fingernails during his research.

In addition, when nails are long, the center of gravity shifts, and pressure on the outgrown part of the plate increases. The hyponychium, the tissue that connects the nail bed and the nail, grows to form a growth of keratinized skin on the inside of the nail under the free edge. Normally, the hyponychium seals the nail plate and prevents bacteria from getting under the nail. If it overgrows, it becomes difficult to trim the nails short without damaging the nerve endings and capillaries.

Deep manicure

Applying a coating under the cuticle is considered the height of skill. To do this, the master cuts off the top layer of the cuticle and peels off the pterygium — the epithelial film on the nail under the cuticle. Deep manicure lasts up to six weeks, but it puts pressure on the nail root. If it is thin and weak, the nail can develop furrows and cracks that often remain permanently, and the exposed nail root is easily exposed to infections.

Persistent risk

Gel nail polishes have become very popular, but there is increasing talk of their negative health effects.

Allergic reactions

The acrylate and methacrylate in gel polishes cause contact dermatitis in nearly 50 % of people. When the lacquer is removed with a router, harmful compounds of the gel, together with dust, get on the skin and in the respiratory tract. Sensitive people can develop allergic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, and eczema. If the master removes the coating by dissolving it in a special remover liquid, you can get skin burns and irritation.

Skin cancer from UV radiation

Studies show that the rays from the lamps for fixing gel polish present a lower risk of skin cancer than in a tanning bed. However, there have been cases of squamous cell cancer due to UV light from manicure lamps. If you have warts, ulcers, or any other spots on your hands and fingers, it is best to consult a dermatologist.

Difficult to diagnose

Dark colors of gel lacquer interfere with the measurement of oxygen saturation in case, for example, a person has fainted or is breathing heavily.

Precautions

Make sure the technician uses disposable accessories or opens the bag with disinfected tools in front of you.
Treat your hands with sunscreen before applying gel nail polish.
Do not wear gel polish for more than 3-4 weeks.
Give your nails a rest from the gel coating and keep an eye on the condition of the plates.
Carry a brush to rinse the space under long nails and use an antibacterial spray.
Use nail care products to moisturize and nourish your nails.

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