Supervisors info:
Δημήτριος Ρηγόπουλος, Καθηγητής Ιατρικής Σχολής Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Σταμάτιος Γρηγορίου, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Ιατρικής Σχολής Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Έλενα Μπελιάεβα, Επιστημονική Συνεργάτης Ιατρικής Σχολής Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Summary:
The care and cosmetic treatment of hands and feet is very popular among both women and men. The application of specific techniques and cosmetic products provides an attractive look of the fingernails that can last from a few days to even a few weeks. The growing demand for manicure - pedicure and long-lasting nail polish, poses several risks to the health of the nails and the adjacent skin tissue. Some of the most noted risks are bacterial, fungal and viral infections from inadequately disinfected tools and nail injuries due to incorrect techniques. There is also an increase in cases of irritating or allergic contact dermatitis due to acrylics and some types of glue applied for artificial nails.
The purpose of this work is to analyze all technical methods and to present the composition of the materials used during nail cosmetic treatment, in correlation to the side effects that they may cause.
We reviewed several publications in pubmed and google scholar that clients visited nail beauty centers, and developed Mycobacterial infections (Mycobacterium abscessus, M. Mageritense) after the application of treatments such as manicure, pedicure and onychoplasty, or Dermatophytes (Trichophyton Rubrum, Trichophyton Interdigitale), the transmission of which was due to insufficient disinfection of utensils and tools. In cases with acute or chronic paronychia, traumatic onycholysis and onychomycosis the cause was incorrect technique. Part of the research includes the manifestation of allergic dermatitis from hardeners and nail polishes (formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates) and materials applied during the placement of artificial nails (monomeric methacrylates, acrylic powders, adhesives).
All the techniques and cosmetics applied in nail care, artificial nail making and long-lasting polish application can create from mild to very serious health issues as well as the appearance of nails and the adjacent skin tissue.
Constant education and specialization of beauty professionals in technical methods, as well as their awareness for all necessary hygiene measures could significantly reduce all these risks to which clients that visit nail beauty centers are exposed.
