Are Your Nails Poisoning You?

The dangers of nail polish…

Do you use nail polish? Many of us do. It’s become a way we pamper ourselves and perhaps a bit of a hallmark of a well-groomed woman. There is a downside though.

I want to share a bit about the dangers of nail polish. If you do use it, did you know you may be subjecting yourself to a hormone disruptor known as TPHP? It’s true!

This is not good ladies!  Way too many of the nail products listed in The Environmental Working Groups’ Skin Deep database still test positive for TPHP!

I discovered even some of the colors of my former go-to polish by BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty) had tested positive for it!

About half of all nail polishes contain TPHP. Here are some of the popular brands that still sell nail polish containing TPHP:  Sally Hansen, OPI and Revlon.

What is TPHP?

So, what exactly is TPHP and what does a hormone disruptor do?  TPHP is Triphenyl phosphate; it is a suspected endocrine-disrupting chemical and is very often used in the making of plastics and in foam furniture as a fire retardant. Labeling it a hormone disruptor means it interferes with normal hormone function.

In one test, when the urine of 26 women was tested before and after they had painted their nails, the tests showed sharp increases in TPHP beginning just a few hours after they had painted their nails.

TPHP became the go-to ingredient to increase the flexibility of nail polish after scientific studies showed that the previously used DBP (dibutyl phthalate) was most likely an endocrine disruptor and was toxic to our reproductive systems.

Your body metabolizes TPHP into DPHP, and tests for DPHP in the urine samples of pregnant women and in breast milk showed an alarming presence of DPHP in both.

If you’re a frequent user of nail polish, exposure to TPHP may be a long-term hazard for you, so be sure you’re aware of the dangers of nail polish. Check to be sure the brand you’re using is a safe one.

Find Out More Here

Here’s a link to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep database so you can check out the beauty products you are currently using to see if you’re exposing yourself to toxic ingredients and what your alternative go-to products could be.

EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database

EWF Skin Deep Cosmetics Database has ingredient hazard scores, from 1 to 10 and reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients in the various products. The EWG VERIFIED™ mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Check it out and find out which nail polishes are the safest for you to be using.

Sophi from Piggy Paint has a good overall review. Here’s a screen shot from the EWG website:

Competitively priced, this is how Piggy Paint describes itself:

SOPHi by Piggy Paint allows health-conscious women to have a worry-free manicure. This advanced water-based formula is virtually odorless, cruelty-free, & vegan. Finally, nail polish that leaves nails healthy and doesn’t cause them to yellow or become brittle. Non-toxic & SOPHisticated nail polish at a competitive retail!

Sometimes buffing your nails to a natural glossy shine is easier, cheaper and healthier, but if you love having your nails done, check out this brand and take your own polish with you when you have a manicure:

Ella + Mila is a luxury brand of cosmetics with an ever-increasing array of nail colors!  They are chip-resistant, quick drying and high shine. Even more important, Ella+Mila nail colors contain no Acetone, Animal-Derived Ingredients, Bisphenol-A, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Gluten, Glycol Ether of Series E (Glycol ethers derived from ethylene oxide), Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, Parabens, Phthalates (including DBP), Styrene, Sulfate, Toluene, Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP/TPP) or Xylene.

Their polishes are also PETA-certified, so they are vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.  You will be stunned by the variety of colors they offer!

I like “Pretty Princess” and “Cosmo Pink”. Which colors will you choose?

For many of us, getting our nails done is a special event, a really nice thing we can easily do for ourselves. I encourage you to tweak it a bit to make sure it’s a nice, healthy non-toxic thing you’re doing for yourself.

Helping you achieve Major Wellness in Your Life!

Cheryl Major, CNWC

I’m  author, health guru, and entrepreneur Cheryl A Major, and I would love to connect with you. If you’re new to the world of creating a healthier menu and wellness plan for yourself, please check out my signature program The Anti-Diet Solution.   Learn how to lose weight without dieting. You may lose a whole lot more…like depression, which is exactly what happened to me!

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I am not a medical doctor, and the views and opinions expressed in this book are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice and counsel. They are based on my own training and experience.  You should always consult with your doctor and seek the advice and counsel of your health care provider before making any changes including changes to how you eat and changes regarding any vitamins and/or supplements you may take.

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