I keep my nails near-constantly
polished, but I worry that it's damaging them. Do nails need breaks or time to
"breathe"?
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The idea that your nails need to
"breathe" is actually a myth, said Dr. Chris Adigun, a dermatologist
in Chapel Hill, N.C., who specializes in nail disorders. "Your nails don't
have lungs," she said.
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However, there are some signs
that your nail polish, or the way you remove it, may be causing changes that
should prompt a break, experts said. And it's important to inspect your nails
between polishes so you can spot any potentially worrisome shifts that might be
occurring under-neath the color, Dr. Adigun said.
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IS POLISH BAD FOR YOUR NAILS?
In short, no, said Dr. Adam
Rubin, a dermatologist and nail specialist at NYU Langone Health.
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There's nothing in traditional
nail polish that will directly harm your nails, he said. But, he added, there
are some cosmetic issues that may crop up if you keep your nails painted for
too long, such as for several weeks at a time.
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Some nail polishes - dark or red
colors, in particular - can stain the surface of your nails, Dr. Rubin said.
This isn't harmful, but you might not like the way it looks, he added.
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Leaving polish on too long may
also dry out nails, causing chalky, white patches to form on the surface, said
Dr. Anisha Patel, a dermatologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
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Those patches, called keratin
granulations, are benign and more commonly found on toe-nails, which are
typically painted for longer than fingernails, Dr. Adigun said. They can
sometimes be mistaken for a nail fungus called white superficial onychomycosis.
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If you notice either staining or
white patches after removing your nail polish, there's no harm in disguising
the discolorations by painting over them, Dr. Rubin said. If you do that,
though, know that you risk making the stains or white patches worse.
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To completely banish these
issues, let your nails regrow fully, unpainted. This can take about six months
for fingernails and 12 to 18 months for toenails, Dr. Adigun said. To prevent
staining or white patches from forming in the first place, it can help to apply
a clear base coat before you paint your nails. Massaging moisturizer onto your
nails and cuticles between polishes might also help keep keratin granulations
from forming, Dr. Rubin said.
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If you remove your polish and
your nails look dry, moisturize them daily, whether they're polished or not,
Dr. Patel said. You can use petroleum jelly, hand cream, nail oil or body
lotion, Dr. Rubin suggested.
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WHAT WILL DAMAGE YOUR NAILS?
The way you remove polish can
damage your nails, Dr. Rubin said. Scraping or picking at nail polish can strip
the top layers of the nail and possibly lead to thinning. And
acetone-containing nail polish removers can dehydrate and damage your nails, he
said, so it's best to use nail polish removers that are acetone-free.
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This is one reason dermatologists
urge caution with gel manicures. The removal process usually involves soaking
in acetone, which can lead to dryness and brittleness, Dr. Adigun said. The gel
polish itself can also cause allergic reactions (like a rash or, more rarely,
hives) and damage the nails. And exposure to ultraviolet light during the
application process can increase your risk for skin cancer and premature skin
aging, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
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If you do get gel manicures, give
your unpainted nails a break of at least a week or two between manicures to let
your nails recover, Dr. Adigun said.
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WHEN SHOULD YOU WORRY?
Every time you remove nail
polish, examine your nails for worrisome changes, Dr. Adigun said.
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Dark streaks, splitting, lifting
from the nail bed and pain are all potential signs of skin cancer, so if you
notice those, visit a dermatologist, Dr. Patel said.
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Thickened, crumbly, yellow or
misshapen nails can signal a fungal infection, Dr. Rubin said. And redness or
swelling around nails could indicate an injury or bacterial infection,
according to the A.A.D. Dents or pits in your nails; crumbling; nails separating
from your skin; or white, brown or yellow discoloration could be signs of nail
psoriasis.
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Dermatologists recommend annual
skin cancer checks, and that includes examining the nails, Dr. Patel said.
"We ask our patients to come in without polish on at least once a year so
that we can see their nails," she said.
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Erica Sweeney
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