Beauty green book

STEP into any nail and hair salon and, more often than not, you will be hit by the smell of glue, solvents, disinfectants and ammonia. And this "eww" factor is not just limited to the olfactory. Exposure to such chemicals may have effects that go beyond skin deep: In fact, a number of studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the US have examined possible links between nail technicians' work and health outcomes, such as respiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal effects, as well as other health conditions.

But how much harm is there really in a lunchtime mani or root colour touch-up? While current scientific studies can be inconclusive, a growing number of consumers are not taking any risks when it comes to getting their beauty fix.

"The unmistakable chemical odour from nail polish comes from a cocktail of alcohol, solvents and other toxins which enable the polish to stick to the nail, give it a shine, and prevent it from chipping," explains Zi Sha, the owner of Auum, a nail salon in PasarBella at Turf City dedicated to more natural, less toxic treatments. "In addition, nail polish can be almost impossible to get off and is commonly presented in a bottle with a flammable symbol on the side. These should all serve as warning signs, and yet, we ignore them."