Can You Get Your Nails Done While Pregnant? How Safe Is It?

A simple decision, like getting your nails done, can cause a lot of mental turmoil when you're pregnant. You want to make sure you're doing everything you can to keep you and your baby safe. 

That's why it's important that you know the possible risks associated with getting your nails done while pregnant and the steps you can take to ensure your body remains healthy. 

In this article, we share the ultimate guide to pregnancy nail care, from how to safely get your nails done to the best nail tips.
 

Can You Get Your Nails Done When Pregnant? 

Though there are some factors to consider, getting manicures and pedicures during pregnancy is generally safe. It's important to look out for toxic chemicals in nail products, including nail polish and remover, as these can be transferred into the body via absorption or inhalation. 

While prolonged exposure to these chemicals can be dangerous, as long as your nail salon is well ventilated, hygienic, and able to use non-toxic products, there shouldn't be any harm caused to you or your baby.

If you'd rather not sit inside nail salons due to the possible risks, you can always use pregnancy-safe nail polish for an at-home pamper session. At Côte, our products are all non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free. Our non-toxic nail polish comes in a diverse range of beautiful shades to suit every mom-to-be!

Safety Tips for Nail Treatment When Pregnant

Here are our top tips for going to a nail salon treatment when pregnant:

Tell Them You Are Pregnant

It's important to let the nail technician know that you're pregnant prior to your appointment. Not only can they adjust the chair or environment to aid your comfortability, but they may also be able to move you to an area that has better ventilation. 

The technicians may also be able to move your appointment to a morning slot to ensure a quieter nail salon. A morning slot means fewer fumes will be in the air, which can make the experience safer for your baby and lower the risk of you getting a headache. 

Specify Non-Toxic Treatment

The best option is to bring your own Côte products for use in your services. If that’s not possible, then definitely confirm that the salon has non-toxic, pregnancy-safe nail polish brands available for the service. This is the most important way you can ensure you will not come into contact with harmful and unnecessary chemicals.

For everyone, but especially pregnant women, it's best to avoid harsh chemicals like Dibutyl Phthalate (DPB), Formaldehyde, and Toluene, as these can disrupt the normal regulation of your hormones.

Check For and Choose Ventilation

Even if you specify non-toxic nail products and beauty treatments, you also want to ensure that the nail salon is well ventilated with fresh air. Depending on the nail treatment you're having done, you may be sitting in the salon for long enough to inhale fumes that may increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.

If you're popping in for a spontaneous salon appointment, try to find a salon with open windows. If you've pre-booked your appointment, ask if you can sit by an open window. Sitting by a fan can also be helpful if there aren't any windows. 

Prioritize Hygiene: Choose a Clean Salon

Ensuring the nail salon practices good hygiene is essential for keeping your nails, skin, and baby growth safe. Hygiene should be especially important within your pregnancy beauty routine, as you may develop sensitive skin during the second or third trimester. This can make you more susceptible to a skin infection, which can be triggered by poor cleaning practices.

Again, the best option is to bring your own tools with you. This is the only way you can ensure that they are not contaminated. If that is not an option, then choose a clean salon that uses properly sterilized tools. Ask your salon if they use an autoclave (a medical-grade sterilizer) to clean their tools. For all non-metal equipment, such as nail files, ask and require that they are new for each client.

Opt For No Massage

If you're in your third trimester, or towards the end of your second, it may be best to skip the massage portion of your pedicure. While foot massages can be particularly tempting during pregnancy, there's past research that indicates a direct link between pressure points and labor induction.

For those in your first trimester of pregnancy, a quick massage during manicures and pedicures is unlikely to cause any issues. 

Don’t Be Shy: Ask and Express Concerns To Your Nail Technician

Your nail technician has likely reassured and altered their approach to a manicure or pedicure on a number of occasions to accommodate the preferences of pregnant women. These professionals strive to provide you with the best and safest service possible.

By talking with your nail technician, you can ask for their own advice and let them know of any concerns you may have. This can help them accommodate the process for you and your baby, enabling you to feel more relaxed and assured.

Pregnancy Nail Care Tips

In this section, we list our best nail care tips for pregnancy:

Cut Your Nails Short

Keeping your nails short can be beneficial for your relaxation pre-birth and prevent you from accidentally scratching your baby's sensitive skin post-birth. Some women also find that their nail beds become soft during their first trimester before strengthening up in the second and third. 

During this initial phase of pregnancy, it may be a good idea to cut your nails short to offer them a greater level of protection.

Push Cuticles Don’t Cut

Cutting your cuticles may increase your bacterial or viral infection risk, so it's best to gently push back on the cuticle rather than cut them.

Stop Biting Your Nails!

With many pregnant women's nails already being weak during the start of pregnancy, biting your nails will only cause extra damage. If you bite your nails while they're painted, you risk accidentally ingesting some nail polish. 

Conclusion

To diminish any risk but still get the reward of beautiful nails, Côte provides non-toxic, vegan nail polish and products. It's safe to use our products during pregnancy, so you can enjoy painting your nails while you still have the time!