Mama You've Got This...

When my nails are groomed and polished, I just feel better. It’s

amazing what a mood-lifter a manicure can be. Even if you

can’t see your toes, a pedicure can do a lot to elevate your

look—especially if it’s sandal season. As long as you take some

necessary precautions before setting out to the nail salon, a

regular manicure/pedicure session can still be a part of your

preggo beauty routine.

Start by choosing a five, seven or eight-free nail polish. There are

so many on-trend nail polish brands, including some of the big

names, that don’t use harmful chemicals, so there’s no reason

not to go the safer route for your nail colour. Three-free, which

means free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate,

used to be the standard in worry-free nail polish, but times have

changed and we’re now aware of more ingredients to avoid.

Five-free means there is no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP,

formaldehyde resin, or camphor. Seven-free indicates there is no

formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene,

or parabens. The next step up is the eight-free formula, which is

made without formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin,

camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, and triphenyl phosphate. At

the top of the worry-free nail polish chain is the nine-free polish

Can I still get manis/pedis while pregnant?

which has no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin,

camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, or acetone in its

formula. Or for the ultimate non-toxic manicure, look for water-

based nail polish, which uses a water-base as opposed to a

solvent-base. The only downside with water-based, besides the

lack of available brands producing this type, is that it takes a

lot longer for the polish to dry. Something to think about before

applying it and then having to head to the bathroom for a wee

straight away.

Whilst at the salon, ask your manicurist not to clip your hang nails

and instead have them pushed back. Cutting your cuticles can

lead to possible cuts and become an entry point for bacteria.

Find a cuticle oil and rub it on your fingers to help soften that

area. Bring your own tools to the salon. Even though tools are

supposed to be sanitized before each use, you can never be too

safe in this department. Make sure they wash out the pedicure

sink with disinfectant before you get your pedicure. If you can try

and get to the salon earlier before the crowds, there will be fewer

people getting their nails done and fewer chemicals to breathe

in. If you can sit near an open door or window whilst getting your

manicure, even better.