Ask the NMC

QUESTION:
There is so much information on a disinfectant’s label; it's intimidating and hard to read. Why don't manufacturers make these labels easier to understand?

ANSWER:
Manufacturers are aware of this problem and often highlight salon-relevant information for ease of reference. However, the wording on labels is strictly controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency, so there isn't much that manufacturers can do to change that. If you have trouble interpreting the product label, call the manufacturer to get answers. It's important that all disinfectants be used properly or they may not perform correctly and could put your clients at risk.

QUESTION:
If my client gets a fungus or greenie, can I put a nail enhancement on it? How do I treat the infection?

ANSWER:
No, you should not apply enhancements or try to treat the infection. Nail technicians are only licensed to work on healthy nails and skin. They should not and cannot legally work on any type of infected nail because this is considered a medical condition.

It is against federal law for any nail technician to diagnose a medical condition, attempt to treat it or even prescribe any kind of treatment. You are not even allowed to remove the artificial nail, unless done under the specific direction of the client's treating physician. Even if the client asks you to remove the enhancement or take care of her infected nail, her requests do not give you permission to violate the law. Nail technicians who violate the law risk legal action in the form of lawsuits and losing their licenses.

QUESTION:
Is formaldehyde a carcinogen? Why is it in nail polish and hardeners?

ANSWER:
You may be surprised to learn that formaldehyde is not an ingredient in nail polish, hardeners or any other nail product. Until recently, manufacturers were required to list "formaldehyde" on the label even though the actual name of the ingredient is methylene glycol, a different chemical that is created by reacting formaldehyde and water. It's strange, but true! No one cared about the difference until it was reported that inhaling large amounts of "dry formaldehyde gas" can cause a rare type of nasal cancer. Manufacturers became concerned that nail technicians might hear about this, get the wrong impression and mistakenly believe that this danger also applied to nail polish and other products. Over the last few years the NMC has worked tirelessly to get this error fixed, and we're happy to report that we were finally successful in getting an official correction. Now, manufacturers can use the correct ingredient name, methylene glycol on labels. You should see packaging labels begin to change in 2009.

Don't believe the recent hype—nail polish neither causes cancer nor birth defects. Polish has a very long history of safe use and—when used according to directions—is among the safest consumer products that you can buy or use.