How to Paint Your Nails Safely During Pregnancy

Choosing the right nail polish

As mentioned, you really don’t have to stress much about the type of polish that you choose. “If you are concerned about exposure to certain chemicals, it’s certainly reasonable to consider a non-toxic polish, but if you haven’t been using a non-toxic polish, you should not be too concerned,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Cornell. (“Non-toxic” in this case typically means free of ingredients like formaldehyde — more on that in a second!) Always talk to your doctor about your specific concerns and needs.

That said, you’ll see certain polishes — especially those marketed as vegan or non-toxic — using the term “3-Free,” “5-Free,” “7-Free” and so on. This is simply a term for certain ingredients that the polish does not have. Here’s a breakdown on the difference between these terms:

• “3-Free” formulas: These do not contain formaldehyde, toluene (a less-common solvent) or DBP, which are considered the most problematic ingredients, says Dr. Garshick.
• “5-free” formulas: Like a 3-free formula, these do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP. They also lack formaldehyde resin and camphor, which may cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people, notes Dr. Weitz.
• “7-Free” formulas (and up): In addition to being free of everything in a 5-free formula, these formulas also typically lack ethyl tosylamide (which can cause allergic reactions in some people) and xylene (which can irritate the eyes and throat when inhaled in large amounts). “8-free,” “10-free,” and other such formulas will also lack other potentially irritating/harmful ingredients, depending on the product.
• Vegan: If a product has a certified vegan logo, that means it doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products, nor was it tested on animals. (Certain common nail polish ingredients, like shellac, come from animal secretions, while some pigments like carmine are made from insects.) Don’t conflate this label with “plant based,” which simply means that there are ingredients derived from plants in the product. (And cruelty-free means the product was not tested on animals.)
• Non-toxic: Usually, brands use this to mean that their product doesn’t include ingredients that are believed to be potentially harmful. (For nail polish, brands will often pair this with “3-free” or “5-free” messaging.) But remember, this is primarily a marketing claim without a standard legal definition, so take these claims with a grain of salt.

Bottom line? The choice is yours and if you have questions about your personal risk, have a discussion with your doctor. “Ultimately, there is enough to worry about in pregnancy, so it’s best to do what makes you feel most comfortable. If you prefer to stick with a non-toxic option, there are many great brands available,” says Dr. Garshick.

What to know if you’re going to a nail salon while pregnant

Painting your nails while pregnant is generally safe, and so is going to a nail salon to get a professionally-done manicure or pedicure. However, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure you have a safe and optimal mani experience.

For starters, Dr. Weitz says you should go to a high-quality place that you know properly sanitizes its tools to reduce your risk of infection. This is always true, but especially important during pregnancy, because your body might be less able to fight off infections (or have more severe symptoms) while you’re pregnant. Don’t let your manicurist cut your cuticles either, she adds, because it could also cause an infection. And if you’re getting a pedicure, opt for portable foot baths over the kind built into spa chairs, as the latter is a potential source of bacterial infection.

If you’re being extra choosy about what type of nail polish you use during pregnancy, you’ll want to inquire about what nail polish the salon stocks, and if necessary, bring your own. Ideally, you’d also be keeping your treatment simple, Dr. Weitz says. “The more involved the manicure, such as with acrylics and gels, the longer the duration and the potential for greater exposures through fumes and potential risk for infection,” she says.

How we made our picks for the best pregnancy-safe nail polish

To choose the best pregnancy-safe nail polish, we looked for brands that were at minimum 5-free to ensure they had few potentially irritating or harmful ingredients. They also had to be highly rated by the What to Expect community and shoppers, and receive positive reviews about the color, ease of application and longevity.