Can nail polish harm my nails?
Ask the doctor
I almost always wear nail polish, but can this habit damage my nail health?What can damage your nails is removing nail polish with an acetone-based nail polish remover, which can dry out the nails and surrounding skin. Use acetone-free products. Also, each time you take off polish, examine your nails for changes that can suggest various health conditions. These signs include thickened, yellow nails; redness or swelling around the nails; or dark streaks, splitting, or misshapen nail beds. See your doctor if you notice any such issues.
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About the Author
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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