I gave up biting my nails 3 years ago after seeing my 4-year-old son chewing away at his own digits. How could I encourage him to break his bad habit if I didn't do the same? But with biting behind me, I became obsessed with polishing my nails to candy-colored perfection. It seemed like a good tradeoff until my youngest son snapped me back to reality: "Ewww, what's that smell?" he declared, pointing his nose at the polish I was holding. I froze mid-swipe.
That smell was a chemical co*cktail of endocrine disruptors and possible carcinogens I wanted nowhere near my kids, let alone my own lungs. After years of slapping on coat after coat of vibrant varnishes, it was time to give my nails a break. Along the way, I discovered a couple of other benefits to letting my nails go naked.
(But just in case you're jonesing for a little holiday flair on your digits, check out these four designs you can do at home using non-toxic, cruelty-free polishes, like RGB's "5 free" nail polish.)
Your Nails Will Get Stronger
Without the glossy distraction, at first it felt like there was a giant spotlight on my finger flaws. My unflattering nail ridges, uneven half-moons, craggy cuticles, and brutally brittle, weak nails glared back at me. But it turns out it wasn't my naked nails that were to blame for the blemishes; it was all that polish remover. Nails are made of layers of keratin, similar to hair, and although fingernails don't actually need to breathe, the strong solvents in polish remover dry out the nail and surrounding cuticle, says Dana Stern, a dermatologist and nail specialist in New York City. "With frequent exposure, the nail can become more prone to peeling, splitting, and general surface irregularities." Gel polishes may be even worse. A study out of the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine used ultrasounds to demonstrate that gel manicures cause nail thinning.
MORE: The Amazing Thing That Happens When You Stop Using Shampoo
Nails Lose That Yellowish Undertone
Another thing I noticed when I ditched the polish was how yellow my nails looked. According to Stern, continuous polishing can be to blame for this unsightly shade of yellow. Fortunately, just like cutting back on coffee and red wine makes your pearly whites whiter, a varnish vacation lets nails get back to their natural healthy hue. After only 1 week, mine lost that jaundiced look.
Those Rough White Patches Disappear
When you keep polish on for a long time, the keratin granulation can cause white patches and surface irregularities to appear on the nail, notes Stern. Basically, too much polish and remover strips the superficial layers of the nail, leaving a roughed-up mess. Keeping nails free and clear gives those chalky blotches a chance to fade or grow out.
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You Lower Your Chemical Load
There's a reason mommies-to-be skip manicures. A lot of nail polishes are a chemical co*cktail of ingredients tied to miscarriages, birth defects, cancer, and lung diseases, and it's not just the toxic trio of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate that's to blame. A joint study by Duke University and the Environmental Working Group found that another common polish chemical, triphenyl phosphate (a hormone disruptor linked to early-onset puberty and obesity), can actually be absorbed by the body.
You Get a More Accurate Window into Your Health
Did you know that nails are like a window into your health? Changes in your nails—think discoloration, thickening, or changes in nail shape—can signal rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, liver problems, heart disease, and even vitamin deficiencies. Polish-free nails give you and your doctor a clearer window into your health.
MORE: 7 Great Things Happen When You Stop Using Tampons
Naked Nails Can Still Stand Out + Be Stylish
After a week of being annoyed by my exposed, naked nails, I discovered something that changed everything: a buffer. Rubbing back and forth with the four-sided tool (start with the rough side and work your way down) gives nails a high-gloss finish as shiny as any clear polish. Top nails with cuticle oil or a dab of coconut oil and—presto!—natural beauty at its best.
The article "6 Great Things Happen When You Stop Using Nail Polish" originally ran on RodalesOrganicLife.com.
FAQs
Your Nails Will Get Stronger
Nails are made of layers of keratin, similar to hair, and although fingernails don't actually need to breathe, the strong solvents in polish remover dry out the nail and surrounding cuticle, says Dana Stern, a dermatologist and nail specialist in New York City.
What happens when you stop wearing nail polish? ›
Your Nails Will Get Stronger
Nails are made of layers of keratin, similar to hair, and although fingernails don't actually need to breathe, the strong solvents in polish remover dry out the nail and surrounding cuticle, says Dana Stern, a dermatologist and nail specialist in New York City.
Are nails healthier without polish? ›
Are nails healthier without polish? In general, the answer is yes — but that doesn't mean you need to steer clear of nail polish forever.
What happens if you leave nail polish? ›
"Leaving your nail polish on for too long can dry out the nails, leaving them brittle," says Dr. Curry. "Thin, brittle nails pose a health hazard because the nail is a barrier to keep out bacteria and fungus."
What damage does nail polish do? ›
Temporary skin and nail damage
Getting there could be a problem, too! Gel polish contains acrylate and methacrylate, which are known to cause allergic reactions, like rash (contact dermatitis) and — far less often — hives (urticaria). Removing gel polish, if not done carefully, can temporarily damage your nails.
How to make your toes look nice without nail polish? ›
She recommends using a cuticle oil on your toenail cuticles and on your toenails when they are bare. Try to find a cuticle oil with vitamin E oil and rub it in to the toenail once every few days. Another great way to hydrate your feet is to slather lotion on your feet, then put on fuzzy socks.
How often should you take a break from nail polish? ›
In our experience a break for a week every eight weeks will be the perfect length of time to let your natural nails breathe. During the break period, make sure to keep your nails moisturised and hydrated.
What is the healthiest thing to do for nails? ›
To keep your fingernails looking their best:
- Keep fingernails dry and clean. This prevents bacteria from growing under your fingernails. ...
- Practice good nail hygiene. Use a sharp manicure scissors or clippers. ...
- Use moisturizer. ...
- Apply a protective layer. ...
- Ask your doctor about biotin.
How to Have Shiny Nails Without Using Nail Polish
- 1 Cover each nail with cuticle oil.
- 2 File your nails with the coarse side of a buffer.
- 3 Buff your nails with the next coarsest side.
- 4 Go over the nail quickly with a finer buffer.
- 5 Buff the nail with the smoothest side of the buffer.
Fungus can flourish in environments created by nail polish. Antifungal nail polish can be covered with non-medicated nail polish. But, it's recommended to completely avoid non-medicated nail paint if you want your fungal infection to go away.
While wearing nail polish all the time won't stop your nails from growing, it does damage your nail integrity. Even with blood supply, nails do still need air to “breathe”. That's why a break from nail polish every few weeks is a must. For keratin granulation, 3 to 4 weeks will be enough time to give your nails a rest.
What does nail fungus look like? ›
Nail fungus is a common infection of the nail. It begins as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, the nail may discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge.
Is opi nail polish toxic? ›
*Original information: OPI Nail Polish boasts about not having the toxic trio (toluene, formaldehyde, and DPB) but, it has other ingredients that aren't the greatest: camphor, which can cause nausea and dizziness if inhaled, and Benzophenone 1, which may negatively affect the endocrine system.
What are the bad side effects of nail polish? ›
Nail polish also really dries your skin out and makes it dehydrated, particularly your cuticles. Nail polish can also cause skin irritation and itchiness for some people, and in the worst case, it can cause an allergic reaction if it comes into contact with your skin.
Should I stop wearing nail polish? ›
"With frequent exposure, the nail can become more prone to peeling, splitting, and general surface irregularities." Gel polishes may be even worse. A study out of the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine used ultrasounds to demonstrate that gel manicures cause nail thinning.
Why are my nails white after removing nail polish? ›
Keratin granulation
If you remove your nail polish only to find that part of your nail is white and dry underneath, you may have this common condition. It's caused by wearing toenail polish for too long. If you have this, it's best to let your nails heal for a while.
How long does it take for nail polish to wear off? ›
Regular nail polish should last around 3-5 days, given that you tend to dirty your finger nails while eating or cooking and expose them regularly to water, oil, and even moisturiser during your skincare regime. If you're really careful, your nail polish should last upto a week without chipping.
Should you give your nails a rest from polish? ›
While it's true that constantly wearing nail polish without giving your nails a break can potentially lead to issues like dehydration and weakening, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that nails need time without polish to “breathe.” In fact, going polish-free for extended periods may not necessarily benefit ...
Is it bad to remove nail polish often? ›
The same is true for nail polish removers. Every time you put on a new coat of nail polish or remove it, irritants like alcohol, fragrances, and formaldehyde can damage your nails. These chemicals soak into your nails, dry out and can damage your nail bed.
