Greener Pedicures?
By Jenn (TinyChoices.com) | May 29, 2008
Now that we seem to be fully into sandal season, I spontaneously treated myself to a lunchtime pedicure today. This was only the second professional pedicure I’ve ever had, and so I kind of forgot that the whole deal is a pretty un-green practice. While I throughly enjoyed it (and my toes look so pretty!), I was astonished at how many crazy formulas were used on me along the way.
While I was scrubbed, exfoliated, clipped, pushed and prodded, my pedicurist applied lotions, creams, gels and oils–none of which, I’m relatively sure, came from particularly natural sources. Then she applied the polish– an undercoat, the main color, and a clear topcoat–which is where the real problem lies.
Umbra says: “Nail polish is in a class by itself. There is no purely nontoxic nail polish, although some brands claim the title by reducing the volatile compounds and fragrances in the polish. Trouble is, you’ve got to get that stuff off your nails somehow, and we all know that stinky, eye-irritating acetone is the best solution. If you are willing to give up one beauty product, make it nail polish. At least, paint your nails less frequently and in a well-ventilated room, and stay away from the nail salon, where the fumes mix with foot shavings in a frightening cocktail.”
Grist says: “If you’re in the U.S., one ingredient is likely the nefarious dibutyl phthalate, or DBP, which has been linked to cancer in lab critters and to underdeveloped genitals and other fertility problems in newborn boys. The FDA doesn’t require that cosmetics be tested for long-term effects before coming to market; nor is it requiring companies stop using DBP.”
In addition to DBP, most nail polish formulas also contain toluene and formaldehyde, which have been linked to birth defects, cancer, and indoor air pollution. So, if I plan on keeping the toes polished I need to think a bit harder about what I’m painting them with.
My friend Valerie recently reviewed a new “green NYC” handbook called “Greenopia,” which seems like an incredibly handy resource. It lists some pedi-proffering spas, which they rate from green to greener to greenest, and which will be handy for my next go-round.
Or if I decide to DIY the pedi, I’ve got some options. Here’s a review of green polish brands (all of which still contain some harsh chemicals), and Grist reviewed some major brands which are “greener” than their counterparts (but the big companies are still more likely to engage in animal testing, so they’re definitely to be avoided when possible).
In the end, are fancy toenails worth the environmental damage they cause? I would answer, definitively, resoundingly, NO. But if we can use the eco-brands in place of the crappy stuff, then we’re definitely one step ahead of the game.
[Image by genvessel via Creative Commons]
Topics: Health | 9 Comments »
I love pedicures, but I know my local place is not ecofriendly at all. also I’ve been to lots of salons where the manicurists were PREGNANT. eep! it’s hard to give up, though! I will do my best to cut back this summer.
Also, in the comments on some of those Grist posts, people talked about getting the pedicure but then, instead of getting polish, just getting their nails buffed. Which seems like an interesting option. Not as fun as PINK but also not as toxic as PINK.
I like pedis, even though I’ve only had about 5, ever, but mostly because 1) my feet look and feel so *tidy*, and because a foot rub is heavenly. I always went with a sheer/nude color, so giving up polish is a no-brainer
So I’ve decided that I’ll do the buffing and such at home, and make the BF give me a good foot rub afterwards. Free AND green!
I like the way you think, JW!
My fiance is Indian, and his mom colors her fingernails and toenails with henna, which seems like it would be a more eco-friendly option. I can’t get used to the look of it, though.
Bronwen, so interesting– I’ve never noticed henna on fingernails. Thanks for bringing this option up!
[...] example: Karina wanted to get a pedicure last week. She knows that pedicures aren’t the best thing for the environment, but they’re a real luxury that she enjoys. She’s just not ready to give them up. But [...]
I see the information that ‘Grist’ reports and I was thinking …why can’t companies be forced to use other ingredients to make natural personal care products, such as nail polish? If customers are aware of this I’m sure they will search out natural makeup products elsewhere and do pedicures themselves.
Hi Everyone! I came across this blog post and just had to post (although I know this was posted months ago). My name is Ginny and I founded Hopscotch Kids http://www.hopscotchkids.com , a truly non-toxic, safe, eco-friendly nail polish. Our polish is water-based – which means no smelly chemicals like conventional nail polish. AND it’s salon quality. No need for a top or base coat, just two coats of our polish and within minutes you look like you’ve just stepped out of a salon. Our adult line, Scotch Naturals http://www.scotchnaturals.com launches September 2010. Find us on our facebook fan pages to keep current.