The nail polish industry is a fast-growing business driven by fashion. Millennials are propelling nail industry innovation by demanding bright acrylics and ombre accents for everyone, everywhere, and all at once. Influencers such as Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish, Cardi B, and others have contributed to the popularity explosion of acrylic nails, relying on skilled professionals to cater to their nail needs.
In 2022, the global nail salon market was valued at USD 11 billion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0% from 2023 to 2030. Post-pandemic, there has been a significant emphasis on personal grooming, physical appearance, and beautification. People across the globe have become more conscientious about their overall appearance, including their nails.
Social media platforms, specifically TikTok, have significantly amplified the nail industry megaphone. Through its short video feature, there are nail art tutorials that align with the expectations of millennials. The availability of new and advanced nail care products, tools, and equipment has improved the quality of services and expanded the range of offered services. In 2022, the manicure service segment dominated, covering about 1/3 of the global market.
While the industry continues to grow, many concerns have arisen regarding the health risks associated with certain nail care practices. According to researchers at the University of California, San Diego, studies have highlighted potential dangers, such as DNA damage and cancer-causing mutations linked to UV nail polish dryers. Additionally, the environmental impact of nail products, particularly non-biodegradable gels and acrylics, raises sustainability concerns. The primary ingredient in nail polish is nitrocellulose (cellulose nitrate) cotton, which acts as a film-forming agent. Nitrocellulose is used in making explosives and dynamite; its vapors irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. Nail polish sits in landfills and leaches toxic components such as toluene, dibutyl phthalates, formaldehyde, and others that seep into soil or water when discarded. Gels and acrylic nails are both non-degradable and cannot be recycled. Working in nail salons exposes workers to a variety of chemicals daily. After years of working in a nail salon every day, these exposures add up. Many workers work long hours and don’t ventilate the area accordingly. Based on this data, more and more nail salon workers and users may start experiencing health problems.
Despite all the hazardous implications of the nail industry, it continues to grow globally. The fastest-growing overseas markets for artificial nail care are Germany, England, France, and other parts of Western Europe. The Scandinavian countries, Eastern Europe, the Far East, and South America demonstrate an appetite for natural nail care but currently need to utilize existing artificial nail care services. A Nail & Hair Affaire Ltd. introduced acrylic nails to Zimbabwe, Africa, in 1984. The introduction of artificial nails has been viral and created a national demand for the product. Women across the country come to one of Zimbabwe’s four A Nail & Hair Affaire nail salons. In Germany, Hans Paulig, founder of Maha Nail, a Creative Nail Design distributor, says natural-looking nails that are not too long and have a rounded shape seem the preferred style among salon clients in Germany. This fast-expanding industry is expected to have an even greater impact on health and theenvironment. This continuous growth signifies that people overlook the health implications of keeping up with fashion trends.
This environmental challenge also creates business opportunities. There is a growing worldwide effort to develop more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives in the nail care industry. This includes using water-based polishes and biodegradable materials and reducing harmful chemicals in nail products. This industry will continue in high demand as customers increasingly prioritize current trends while aligning with environmental concerns.
FAQs
Working in nail salons exposes workers to a variety of chemicals daily. After years of working in a nail salon every day, these exposures add up. Many workers work long hours and don't ventilate the area accordingly. Based on this data, more and more nail salon workers and users may start experiencing health problems.
What are the health problems with nail technicians? ›
Without taking the correct safety precautions each day, these chemicals can cause breathing problems; red, irritated eyes; dry, cracked skin; and other health problems. More... Working in certain positions or repeating the same motion puts stress on a worker's body and can cause aches and pains.
Why are artificial nails considered a health risk? ›
Artificial fingernail enhancements contribute to nail changes that can increase the risk of colonization and transmission of pathogens to patients. Outbreaks of infections have been traced to the artificial fingernails of health care workers. For those reasons they are prohibited for anyone having patient contact.
What are the health hazards in nail salons? ›
Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate are sometimes referred to in the industry as the "toxic trio". Toluene (nail polish, fingernail glue): dry or cracked skin; headaches, dizziness, and numbness; irritated eyes, nose, throat, and lungs; damage to liver and kidneys; and harm to unborn children during pregnancy.
What are the biological hazards in nail care? ›
Biological hazards include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Nail salon workers can be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), if they come into contact with infected blood from a co-worker or client.
Is being a nail tech bad for your lungs? ›
Chemical risks in nail salons
The chemical mixture sometimes known as the “toxic trio” is common in many standard products, and the chemicals included pose the greatest risk to salon worker health: Toluene, present in polish and fingernail glue, can cause dizziness or irritate the eyes, throat and lungs.
Do nail techs have lung problems? ›
A nail technician can develop respiratory problems they did not have before or problems they had before working in a nail salon can worsen. Not everyone who works in a nail salon will develop respiratory problems. lungs become inflamed and more sensitive to irritants.
What are the risks of false nails in healthcare? ›
Artificial nails have also been linked to poor hand washing practices and more tears in gloves. These factors lead to an increased risk of transmitting bacteria to patients. This transmission could greatly affect patients because the hospitalized patient's risk of nosocomial infection is high.
Why can't nurses wear fake nails? ›
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (2009), Artificial fingernails are an important risk factor, as they are associated with changes of the normal flora and impede proper hand hygiene (p. 55).
Why are gel nails not allowed in hospitals? ›
Current policy prohibiting the use of methyl acrylate (UV hardened) gel nails may be based on the concern that as nails grow out, this creates a crack in the subungual space that may reduce the effectiveness of hand hygiene and pose an infection risk for patients.
The 3 most toxic components in nail polish and gel nail polish are Toluene, Formaldehyde and Dibutyl Phthalate so-called DBT.
What are the biological hazards in beauty salons? ›
Needles and sharps – if you use sharp tools in your salon, such as syringes, needles for aesthetic injections, razors or scissors, then they pose a significant safety hazard if not handled and disposed of correctly. For example, an accidental skin puncture can expose a person to blood-borne viruses, such as HIV.
What are the three main types of nail salon hazards? ›
Nail salon hazards include allergies, UV damage and infections like warts and cuticle inflammation. Bring your own tools and confirm salon equipment is sterilized between each use to avoid infection.
Should I worry about a cut from a nail salon? ›
Occasionally, your nail tech may cut your cuticle or extra skin too close, causing a break in your skin and your hand to bleed. This can easily lead to an infection on its own, but the risk becomes greater as the appointment continues if the wound is not properly treated.
Are nails a physical hazard? ›
Physical Hazards
Examples include, slivers of glass, human hair, nails, false nails, nail polish, pieces of jewelry, metal fragments from worn or chipped utensils and containers, dirt, stones, frilled toothpicks. Pesticides may leave residues on fruits and vegetables.
What is the most common skin disease for nail technicians? ›
Skin problems arising in nail salon workers include hand dermatitis, stomatitis, mechanical injuries, infections, and the effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
What are five nail disorders that may be serviced by a manicurist? ›
Brittle nail syndrome, onychomycosis, paronychia, nail psoriasis (NP), longitudinal melanonychia (LM), Beau's lines, onychomadesis and retronychia are common nail disorders seen in clinical practice.
What are work related symptoms in nail salon technicians? ›
Compared to the control group, the nail technicians reported statistically significant increased levels of work-related neck (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.6-15.6), shoulder (15.0, 3.1-71.8), wrist/hand (3.6, 1.2-10.7) and lower back problems (3.5, 1.0-12.5).
What are the most common nail diseases? ›
Brittle nail, simple chronic paronychia, and onycholysis represent three of the most prevalent nail disorders. Brittle nails are characterized by increased fragility of the nail plate due to damage to the nail matrix or changes to nail plate cohesion, caused by internal and/or external factors.
