Nails polish is a very popular thing for girls at this current time. It is a great way to show personality for girls. To many, there is an unfair color selection. No bright colors are allowed. Only pastel colors. There are also no designs allowed with the nail polish policy. No sparkles are allowed or simple designs like flowers and polka dots.
However, some Schools just put up a new rule against nail polish and have promised to offer severe punishment to any student who goes against the rule. This leads to the students’ curiosity to ask “why is nail polish not allowed in schools?”
Below are some cogent reasons why nail polish is not allowed in schools:
Why Nail Polish Are Not Allowed in Schools
1. It might create division between different students
One of the reasons why nail polish is not allowed in grade/primary school is the fact that students come from heterogeneous categories. Therefore to sustain or maintain uniqueness, school authorities try to maintain standards. When a rich girl is seen wearing nail polish it may mar the psychology of a poor girl who cannot afford nail polish.
2. It can cause distractions
Another reason is the distraction of the students during classes. There is no doubt that guys get easily attracted to female students for so many reasons one of which is the beauty of her nails. They tend to pay more attention to the girl’s nails than to the teacher during classes.
3. Nail polish can also be bad for other students
Wearing nail polish in school can affect the health of other students. For example, let’s say a student has allergies or asthma and the chemicals in the nail polish can worsen the symptoms.
4. Some students can use them to mess up the school properties
In most schools, nail polish is not permitted. The reason behind this is that some students use it to do graffiti on the bathroom stalls or other school property.
The Disadvantages Of Using Nail Polish In School
Students will often say that nail varnish/polish is a way to express individuality and/or enhance the attractiveness of their hands. Many would like to wear bright colors as fashion changes. Some are not aware of the harm it can cause them while in school,
The disadvantages are;
1. Unnecessary competition
This is like, eye-catching heavy make-up, not appropriate for the working environment in school. Students are not meant to be in an environment where they are competing in terms of their appearance or how fashionable they look.
2. Injury risks
Nail varnish/polish or extension can pose risk for students undertaking practical work in certain subjects.
3. Health risks
Students wearing nail polish/extensions involved in food preparation and cooking in technology lessons can (especially when inexperienced and learning “how to”) contaminate food with chipping of nail polish or parts of nail extensions.
In addition to the health risks putting on nail polish as a student can cause, is the toxicity of nail polish since it contains toxic chemicals like Formaldehyde, Toluene, and Dibutylphthalate (DBP). These chemicals are known as the “Toxic Trio” or “Big 3″ and are also known to cause harm to the human body when inhaled mistakenly.
Are You Allowed to Wear Nail Polish at School?
This is a hard question to answer because different schools have different rules. Personally, I think it is important to know the school’s code of conduct before deciding whether or not you can wear nail polish.
List Of Toxic Constituents Of Nail Polish And Their Effects
1. Formaldehyde – This is a chemical that is a component in plywood and particleboard. Formaldehyde has been considered a carcinogen, linked to nasal and lung cancer by the international agency for research on cancer.
2. Dibutylphthalate or DBP – This chemical however has been linked to reproductive issues like endometriosis, uterine cancer/ fibroids, Gynecologic Cancer, Interstitial cystitis, polycystic ovary dysfunction, congenital syphilis e.t.c.
3. Toluene – This chemical has been linked to issues affecting the nervous system with symptoms that include, dizziness, headache, nausea, and eye irritation.
Toluene has also been linked to birth defects and developmental problems also known as developmental delays like apraxia (a disorder characterized by the inability to carry out purposeful movements that have been learned), dyslexia (developmental reading disorder), stuttering, cerebral palsy e.t.c. in children whose mothers were exposed to such chemical during pregnancy.
How To Take Care Of Your Nails While In School
1. Keep your hands very clean
After you wash your hands, make sure nails are thoroughly grime-free by first removing all traces of polish with an acetone-free remover, which won’t dry out nails. Apply soap to a clean toothbrush, then gently scrub nails and surrounding skin to remove dirt and exfoliate any dead skin without harsh, drying chemicals.
2. Be gentle on your nails
Your nails are delicate, so treat them that way. Avoid using metal tools under nails, as too much digging can cause the nail plate to separate from the skin. Cleaning with chemicals and washing dishes by hand can also weaken nails. Guard them by wearing rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves.
3. Clip your nails regularly
Consistent trims are as important to your nails as they are to your hair, and make nails less prone to snags and breakage. So aim to clip the nails every two weeks, adjusting frequency as needed once you see how your nails respond.
4. Prioritize nail health over length
Long nails are elegant, but if you’re someone who has struggled with hangnails or breakage, it is recommended that you keep your nails short — at least for a period of time as you allow them to grow stronger. A shorter style with rounded edges looks neat and tends to be easier to manage, so you won’t have to subject your nails to extra wear and tear. As long as each nail is uniform in shape and matches its nine neighbors, you won’t miss the added length.
5. Moisturize your hands and nails regularly
You moisturize your face before bed, so do the same for your nails. Use a mix of almond and avocado oils to keep cuticles and nails hydrated while you get some shut-eye, but any nutrient-rich oil or moisturizer will do. In a pinch, you can even use a dab of lip balm. Efficacious formulas contain humectant ingredients like glycerin, emollients such as fatty oils, and occlusives like silicones, which work together to hydrate nails and skin.
6. Leave your cuticle alone
The cuticle has a very important purpose to serve. It seals the area at the base of the nail. So think twice about cutting or removing the cuticle, because it can break that seal of protection, leaving you vulnerable to bacteria and the possibility of infection (as well as painful and unsightly tears). Taking care of your cuticle also helps minimize those dreaded hangnails.
7. Load up on protein-rich food
Your fingernails are made of a protein called keratin, so just as with the clarity of your skin or the shine of your hair, you can improve your nails by tweaking your diet. It is advisable you add vitamins and supplements like biotin, Vitamin E, and fish oil to your daily regimen, it’s recommended you add protein-rich foods like beans, fish, and nuts. The one thing every expert agrees on: Once you hit on the combination that works for you, you’ll be rewarded with stronger, clearer nails.
8. Don’t forget to take care of your nail tools
Disinfecting your nail tools between uses is just as important as regularly cleaning your make-up brushes, and for the same reason — bacteria. To keep your nails infection-free, it is also advisable to Wash metal tools with soap and water and then wipe them down with rubbing alcohol. And don’t forget to regularly replace disposable tools like emery boards. There’s no reason to continue using a tattered tool when it’s so easy to rotate in a new one for a few bucks.
9 . Buff instead of colors
It may not be as fancy or eye-catching as colors, but a bit of buffing can go a long way. Take the time to trim, file, and buff your nails properly and you will be pleasantly surprised at how great they can look, despite being natural. Never saw back and forth with a file because that can weaken your nails. Always file from the outside edge of a nail inward.
10. Wear gloves when doing dishes
Whenever you’re cleaning with harsh chemicals, gardening, or doing anything that involves soaking or dirtying your hands, you need to wear rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves – some of which have a cotton liner. Cleaning dishes in hot, soapy water sans gloves can weaken the nails while getting them caked with dirt from gardening will require a level of cleaning that you want to avoid wherever possible.
Similarly, when the weather is chilly, remember to wear a pair of mittens or gloves so that the cold air and wind don’t undo the hard work you did moisturizing, leaving you with dry, flaky, and scaly skin.
Can You Wear Nail Polish in School?
Well, of course, you can. Wearing nail polish is totally fine in school. But, it's a good idea to be aware of the policy at your specific school so that you don't accidentally get sent home on the first day of class.
Why Long Nails Are Not Allowed in School
Long nails are not allowed in school because they can do so much damage. Long nails can be a danger to other students, teachers, and even yourself. Long nails can scratch your skin, and other people's skin and break school property.
Conclusion
If you are not allowed to wear nail polish in school, it is better you really take good care of your nails, cleaning the dirt, buffing them, and using cuticle oil.
Also, you could try wearing a clear nail polish coat to make them shiny. A clear nail polish coat makes your nails look clean, shiny, and attractive, you can go for it as the best you could do.