
You deserve it! After all, you are the president and CEO of your family’s social affairs, you are the driver of the carpool, the maker of snacks, the mommy to be, the wife extraordinaire, the party throwing, dinner making, house cleaning wonder! You certainly deserve some serious relaxation time and a few moments of zen…and what better way then to indulge in a pedicure! Yes, a massage, a quick weekend getaway, and lounging by a pool in the sun are also amazing ways to unwind, but realistically a pedicure fits more easily into your schedule, right?
So when you are ready for some foot rubbing and nail painting, go with a way that wont let nasty toxins leak into your gorgeous body. I’m talking about finding a salon that uses only DPB, Toluene and Formaldehyde free nail polishes. (See below for more information on these chemicals). Believe it or not, these salons and nail polish brands are easier to find than you think.
Here is a list of some natural salons in major cities…
1. San Francisco- Nova Nail Spa , 811 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
2. Los Angeles- Color Me Green , 2001 Sepulveda Blvd. Unit C, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Recess, 8408 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
3. New York- Evolution Green Room 442 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
And here are some of the major brands that offer either water based or non toxic nail polish…
1. Suncoat- “Suncoat is the best nail polish on the market for those who are particularly chemical sensitive. Not only is Suncoat nail polish toluene, formaldehyde and phthalate free, it is also free of alcohol and acetones and acetates. The nail polish is also water-based and naturally colored with earth pigments. Their nail polishes do not contain any FD&C dyes. They paint on smoothly and dry very quickly.”- Tamara Hardison
Suncaot offers about 32 different colors including my favorites French Pink and Berry. They also offer mascara, lip gloss, eye liner and shadow and hair care products.
2. OPI- “OPI is an Australian brand that is frequently used in nail salons across the US. While it is not water-based, it is free of toluene, DBP, and formaldehyde. This nail polish brand is free of carcinogens, but is not geared towards more chemically-sensitive individuals. Naturally they have a vast and professional array of colors to choose from. If you can tolerate the chemicals, then this might be a good brand for you.”- Tamara Hardison
CHEMICAL INFORMATION:
Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP have all been shown to cause cancer. “Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid that is also found in paints, thinners, and inks. It makes nail polish smooth and makes it dry quicker. When toluene is released into the air it causes headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. It has also been shown to be toxic to the liver and kidneys. It is especially dangerous to pregnant women because it is transferred from mother to fetus through the placenta and through breast milk.
Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic preservative and is used in nail polish as a nail hardener. It also keeps the polish from chipping. Breathing in formaldehyde fumes irritates the lungs, eyes, nose, and throat. It also causes headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and immune dysfunction.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is found in plastics, personal care products, paints, and pesticides. It’s used as a plasticizer that makes plastics soft and flexible. In nail polish it acts as a binder to make the nail polish last longer. Phthalates are also known carcinogens, are known to cause birth defects, and damage the reproductive organs. Particularly, it has shown to cause underdeveloped genitals in newborn boys and long-term fertility problems. It has also shown to be toxic to the liver, lungs, and kidneys. One can absorb phthalates through inhaling it, touching it, or even eating it.”-Tamara Hardison, Associatedcontent.com.