Is nail polish toxic? Does the toxic fumes in nail polish raise you concerns?
If you have heard of the terms ‘toxic trio’, ‘3-free’ and ‘4-free’, even ‘5’ and ‘7-free’ you may be aware about the health concerns associated with the ingredients in nail polish and the potential health risks.

The ‘toxic trio’ commonly present in Nail polishes (also called lacquers or enamels), base coats, top coats, nail hardeners, and nail treatments are:

1. Dibutyl phthalate an additive that has been banned in polishes in Europe because of its link to birth defects. Its a developmental and reproductive toxin that causes a number of birth defects in lab animals, primarily in male offspring.
What it does: a plasticizer that increases the flexibility and shine of the polish.

2. Toluene is a chemical that has been removed from drinking water because of research linking it to liver and kidney failure. Affects the central nervous system and can cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue. It is also a possible reproductive and developmental toxin. A pregnant woman’s exposure to toluene vapours during pregnancy may impair fetal development.
What it does:  Toluene is used to help products flow smoothly. It helps give polishes a flat and even finish and keeps the colour from separating in the bottle.

3. Formaldehyde is used to preserve dead bodies and is also linked to cancer. Damages lung tissue and can cause asthma. Can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lead to skin irritation such as dermatitis.
 A potent preservative considered a known human carcinogen by the International Agency on Research on Cancer.
What it does: In nail products, formaldehyde acts as a hardener and a preservative.
Dr.’s remedy is a healthy alternative to traditional nail products which consists of a base coat, top coat, hydration treatment and cuticle oil.

Dr.’s remedy highly nourishing formula can be used in conjunction with topical fungus medications or nail fungus products and will not make the condition worse,
unlike most nail polish products.
 Dr.’s Remedy is a 3, 4 and ‘7-Free’ nail care system which doesn’t contain the ‘toxic trio’ plus two other toxins:

4. Camphor is a potential irritant. Used in muscle rubs for its mint tingling sensation on the skin, there really is no reason to add this to nail polish.
Camphor is both synthetically and naturally produced.
What does it do:  Plasticizer – Materials that soften synthetic polymers by reducing brittleness and cracking.

5. Formaldehyde resin – has links to causing dermatitis.
What does it do: All nail polish, nail treatments, or nail hardeners contain a film-former to make the product hard and shiny when it dries.
 To make the film tough and resilient a secondary film-former such as formaldehyde resin is usually used. Dr.’s remedy remover is a acetone-free product.

6. Another chemical not present in Dr.’s remedy nail care products is Xylene. Reports indicate that inhaling this vapor can depress the central nervous system.

7. No Animal Testing 

8. No TPHP

9. No DBP

10. No Parabens

Acetone  is a very powerful solvent and it works the best at removing polish. But it’s also very 
harsh because it removes a lot of natural oils from your skin. Harsh and very drying to nails, cuticles and skin. Women with nails that are dry or splitting should avoid using.

Dr.’s Remedy is enriched with wheat protein and vitamins C and E, which strengthen weak nails and prevent discolouration and cracking, and garlic bulb extract and tea tree oil, which prevent fungal growth.

Read Q&A  

Dr.’s REMEDY® is a line of podiatrist formulated nail care products created by board certified podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel. The collection of nail colours and nail care solutions can minimise the appearance of dry brittle nails, hydrate nail cuticles and improve the wear-time of your nail colour.

Dr.’s REMEDY® is the first nail polish to receive the American podiatric medical association seal of approval.

Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel are board certified practicing Podiatric Surgeons based in New York who founded Dr.’s Remedy to address the needs of their patients. Both doctors have spent years of study and training in the field of Podiatry.
Although, skilled surgeons, they realise a top reason patients come into their office is because of brittle, discoloured nails, often times associated with the harsh chemicals found in nail polish. As physicians they have always been interested in the products their patients use and only want the best for their patients.
Dr.’s REMEDY consists of many shades of nail colour along with nail care products such as base coat, top coat, cuticle care and a nail hydration. Each product is infused with a special blend of ingredients selected by Dr. Cirlincione and Dr. Spielfogel. This blend includes: wheat protein, tea tree oil, biotin, garlic bulb extract and lavender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: WHAT MAKES DR.’S REMEDY® ENRICHED NAIL
    POLISH SO UNIQUE?
A:  After treating hundreds of patients and listening to their needs about nails, we personally formulated our Dr.’s REMEDY®, Enriched Nail Polish with a patented blend of naturally occurring, non-toxic, nourishing ingredients not found in traditional lacquers. Every bottle of is free of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, parabens, xylene, TPHP, DBP and animal testing. Plus, it’s the first nail polish to receive the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) seal of approval.

Q: IS DR.’S REMEDY AN ANTIFUNGAL NAIL POLISH?
A:  No. Dr.’s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish is not an antifungal medicine nor is it intended to treat or cure fungus. It is however; an extremely gentle, highly nourishing cosmetic nail polish that is available in an array of stylish colours. Products that make antifungal claims must be approved by the FDA and are not considered cosmetics.

Q: CAN I USE DR.’S REMEDY WHILE USING A TOPICAL MEDICATION FOR NAIL FUNGUS?
A:  Dr.’s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish is a cosmetic, NOT a medicine. However, our extremely gentle, highly nourishing formula can be used in conjunction with topical fungus medications and will not make the condition worse. Dr.’s REMEDY is also recommended as the  perfect compliment to any nail laser and nail cream regimens.

Q: CAN CHILDREN WEAR DR.’S REMEDY® ENRICHED
    NAIL POLISH?
A:  Dr.’s REMEDY® is completely non-toxic and safe for use on children and mums-to-be.

Q: DOES DR.’S REMEDY TEST ON ANIMALS?
A:  Dr.’s REMEDY® is an animal-loving company and we do not participate in animal testing of any kind.

Q: SHOULD PEOPLE WITH WHEAT ALLERGIES BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WHEAT PROTEIN CONTAINED IN DR.’S REMEDY.
A:  All Dr.’s Remedy products have undergone rigorous allergy and sensitivity testing, and the amount of wheat contained in our polishes has not been known to affect those with an allergy.

Q: HOW LONG WILL DR.’S REMEDY® ENRICHED NAIL POLISH LAST ON MY NAILS?
A: Dr.’s REMEDY wears just like traditional nail polish—about 5 to 7 days on fingers and 2 to 3 weeks on toes.

Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY POLISH?
A: As podiatrists, we recommend patients change their polish every 10 days and to go polish free for a few days before re-applying nail color. Nail polish is occlusive and can deplete the natural oils from the nail and cuticles around the nail. Leaving your nails polish free for a few days allow the nails to rehydrate. It is also a good idea to apply cuticle oil day and night. This will also help to hydrate both your  nails and your cuticles.

Q: ANY TIPS TO ENSURE MY MANICURE AND
    PEDICURE LAST?
A: To maximise the wearability of you manicure, try these tips:
Always use base coat and top coat. Re-apply a clear top coat every 3 days.
Give your polish 30 – 45 minutes to completely dry, 60 seconds each coat.
Apply hand and foot cream as well as cuticle oil often.

Read why nail polish is a ’10 free’ 

VIEW PRODUCTS

A high percentage of diabetics suffer from a hydrolipid deficiency in the skin.
Left untreated, this impairs the skin‘s own barrier function and therefore may
lead to the development of foot lesions. With sea buckthorn and avocado oil,
GEHWOL med Lipidro Cream contains skin-related fats with a high share of
unsaturated fatty acids, which balance the lack of epidermal lipids that is typical
for dry foot skin. Sea buck-thorn oil is also rich in linolic and linoleic acids, which
play an important role in the production of the skin‘s ceramides.

The total lipid content of 21 percent corresponds the recommended concen-tration
for dry skin care products. In com­bination with strongly hydrating urea, glycerine
and a special algae extract, the recipe ensures a balanced hydrolipid barrier and is
therefore optimally suited to the prevention of dry, cracked skin.

Moving against callus

The cream also tackles excess callus.

A study implemented by proDerm proved the efficacy of GEHWOL med Lipidro
Cream in callus reduction even after short-term use of two weeks, and consistently
over four weeks.

Among other things, urea is responsible for the callus reducing effects. Even in a
moderate con­centration, the ingredient has a strongly hydrating effect, softens
the callus, and acts keratostatically by normalising cell growth.

Other ingredients support this process: Glycerine stabilises skin cells and
ensures an elastic skin surface in this way. Allantoin removes excess callus,
and renders the skin smooth and supple. Urea, glycerine and certain
ingredients of algae extract also supply the skin with moisture.
In combination with high quality oils, they improve its natural barrier function.
The product is free of scents and well tolerated by diabetics. In this way, the care
cream can be put to effective use to prevent diabetic foot lesions.

What is Sea buckthorn oil?

In Tibet, sea buckthorn oil has been an important medicinal substance for 1200 years.
The yellow berries are still largely unknown here. The oil which is obtained from the fruits
is rich in vitamins, trace elements, unsaturated fatty acids and other valuable plant
substances which regenerate and revi­talise the skin as components of creams.

Sea buckthorn is an unwieldy, thorny shrub.

It grows especially well in light, sandy soils.

The bush, which originates from the Altai Mountains, the Mongolian steppe
and the Tibetan highlands.

Sea buckthorn oil in cosmetics
Sea buckthorn oil is a true multitalent in cosmetics. For instance, the high level
of carotinoids protects against UV rays, acti­vates the metabolism, binds free
radicals and thereby prevents premature skin aging.

Palmitoleinic acid soothes irritated and stressed skin. Cosmetic products
with sea buckthorn oil generally soothe the skin, moisturise, smooth and regenerate.

Is there something better than customers who are happy when they leave the practice after their treatment? Of course, good treatment results are fundamental. But happiness can be encouraged beyond that. As a foot specialist, you can give your customers feel-good moments as part of your work. In most cases, a foot massage is a pleasant, emotional end to the actual treatment.

But why wait for the end of the treatment?
However it’s much nicer when you can
spoil your customer with full care right at
the start, as an exclusive entrée to your
treatment. The new GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT
Soft Feet Scrub is just right for this.

Fine bamboo powder and sugar crystals, jojoba
wax and honey extract, avocado oil and
Vitamin E immediately turn the foot bath
into a regenerating, caring spa experience.

Scrubbing aromatic massage
The feet and legs are slightly moistened
before the bath, and then massaged with
the shimmery, white-green, fresh but not
strongly scented crystalline substance of
GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT
Soft Feet Scrub.

Aside from the soothing massage effect, the
following happens: First, fine sugar crystals
thoroughly remove the dead skin cells of
the uppermost skin layer. The sugar gradually
dissolves in the process, so that no sticky
residue remains. After the sugar rub, the
skin is fine tuned with ground bamboo.
The woody sweet grass is eminently suited
to the second scrub stage. Bamboo is rich
in natural silicates, which lend the ground
powder a white colour.

The scrubbing composition of
sugar and bamboo of the GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT
Soft Feet Scrub leaves behind a very
smooth, attractive skin appearance – and
this, very practically, while giving a pleasant
foot and leg massage whose toning effect is
further intensified by fine wax spheres.

Scrub with care expertise
Since the freshly freed skin surface is sensitive
and needs protection, the new GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT
Soft Feet Scrub finishes with an extra portion of care.
Avocado is eminently suitable for this
purpose. The care vitamins and essential
unsaturated fatty acids in avocado oil are
important components of the skin barrier.
The oil is easily absorbed into the skin, and
unfolds its barrier stabilising effects. It
supports the skin’s protective function,
which defends against pathogens from the
outside on the one hand, and simultaneously
regulates moisture loss to the outside on
the other hand.

Honey extract and vitamin E provide
moisture in the scrub recipe. The extract is
rich in oligosaccharides. These are large,
hydrophilic sugar molecules, which bind
moisture in the upper callus layers due to
their polar structure. Vitamin E acetate is
similar: Vitamin E is fat soluble, but has a
bipolar structure; that is, it can also store
moisture in the skin with its water soluble
component. The molecules can also be
fixedly built into the skin cell membranes, so
that vitamin E also protects cells and prevents
premature skin aging. Jojoba lends a silky
skin sensation and ensures that young skin
immediately becomes supple. The embedded
moisture deposits reduce skin folds and
thereby support the skin smoothing effects
of the GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT
Soft Feet Scrub .

Aftercare is preceding care
The Gehwol Soft Feet Cream With Milk and Honey
is an optimal supplement
to the scrub – even in the practice. With
special deep hyaluron, milk and honey
extract, it offers modern ingredients which
also stimulate the senses while intensifying
moisture care. Use the cream to spoil your customers
with an aromatic foot massage after the treatment.

These small details turn foot care into an emotional experience –
a small luxury which wellness lovers are happy to enjoy in everyday life.

VIEW PRODUCT

All Podiatrists will have come up against this problem of trying to deal with the recurrent build up of heavy callus under the sides of usually the first toe nail.
The condition is quite often painful to treat due to the extreme density of the callus and the sensitivity of the area.

Patient advice should be given regarding footwear but the condition recurs sometimes very quickly.
One form of treatment that can be very effective is the use of Gehwol med nail softener.

Active Ingredients: Medicated soap, Bisabolol, ethanolamine. Bisabolol helps to prevent redness and irritation. Hard skin beneath the nail and in the nail fold softens and leads to an easy removal of the cornification without causing pain.

The patient is advised to use the product daily but sparingly ( ie one drop down each affected side). If the patient complies on the next visit the callus should appear much softer, less painful and therefore easier to remove.

The only side effect visible is a general yellowing of the area treated which has no detrimental effect. This is stating the obvious but: Do not use on Onychocryptosis, Inflamed or septic areas, Patients with poor circulation, Diabetics.

If you have any comments or any other alternatives to this product please get back to us on twitter or facebook.

The DLT Road Show brings our show room to you. Chairs, drills, work units and sterilisers will be on show along with some discounted sundry products to buy on the day, cheque or cash.

The LCN nail reconstruction courses are priced at 200 pounds plus VAT and include a comprehensive starter kit with UV curing light and enough materials for you to start treating the moment you get home from the course. These run on Saturdays and a £55 non returnable deposit will be charged upon booking and can be invoiced to your DLT account. Non account holders can pay by cheque or card and a 30 day account will then be created for you for the balance and any future DLT purchases to be charged to. Numbers for each LCN course are limited to 14 to ensure you benefit fully from the practical training that is given.

The ICB level 1 biomechanics course is priced at  £90  plus VAT and will include a starter pack with a heat gun,  three Insoles, sample additions pack, Training DVD, Orthotic revolution book, poster, patient leaflets and an orthotic sizing chart, as well as an insole in your size to heat mould on the day. These courses run on Sundays and numbers for the ICB courses are limited to 25.

The ICB Level 2 biomechanics is a follow on course for those that have attended previous Level 1 courses with us and is also priced at £90 plus VAT and will include all materials needed on the day.

ROADSHOW DATES SATURDAYS – 2nd March,  23rd March & 14th September

CALL 0845 230 4411 for more information or email sales@dltchiropody.co.uk

SEPTEMBER Sat 14th and Sun 15th
NAIL RECONSTRUCTION (Sat)
BIOMECHANICS LEVEL 1 (Sunday 15th)
KENT VILLAGE HOTEL – Castle View, Forstal Road,
Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AQ

OCTOBER Sat 12th and Sun 13th
NAIL RECONSTRUCTION (Sat)
BIOMECHANICS LEVEL 2 ( Sunday 13th)
HUDDERSFIELD DLT HEADQUARTERS
Riverside Court, Stoney Battery Rd, Huddersfield HD1 4TW