If the strong aroma didn't give it away or the fact that many nail artists wear face masks while on the job, nail polish can have some pretty crazy affects — all of which put your health at risk. Due to the absence of decent or remotely helpful regulations on products sold in the U.S, companies are free to products containing virtually whatever they choose. Many of the ingredients used in nail polish are quite toxic.

This does not mean that every woman who wears nail polish or anyone who has ever come in contact with it will automatically contract a serious health problem. It simply means that the more someone is exposed to such a combination of harmful and toxic chemicals, the more likely they are to bear some serious consequences down the road.

There are numerous chemicals used to create nail polish. Some brands are more toxic than others.

Here's a list of some of the most commonly used chemicals that can have some pretty serious negative affects.

• Formaldehyde
• Toluene
• Dibutyl Phthalate(DBP)
• Camphor
• Triphenyl Phosphate(TPHP)

The first three chemicals in the list are known as the "toxic trio" of nail polishes. These three common ingredients of the nail polish industry are also among the most dangerous. Too much formaldehyde exposure can cause cancer. The inhalation of toluene can lead to side effects such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, irritated eyes/nose and more. Long-term or excessive inhalation of the chemical causes negative effects in the central nervous system. If too much is inhaled while pregnant, it can lead to birth defects and mental disorders. The chemical is easy to detect due to its strong smell.

It is important to apply nail polish in well-ventilated areas in order to reduce the number of chemicals your lungs take in. DBP has similar health effects. It increases chances for defects in development, can interrupt proper hormone functions and can cause reproduction issues. Camphor can cause serious skin irritation, nauseousness and headaches. TPHP can cause reproductive and endocrine harm. It can also cause neurodevelopmental problems — all with just a small dose of the chemical.

There are multiple other chemicals used in nail polish and popular cosmetics that are not listed above. It is important to check what ingredients are in your products and how much of such you are exposed to. Children are also at risk, so take caution when allowing them to use nail polish.

Continued use of nail polish should always be applied in areas that are well ventilated, and are to be inhaled in as minimal amounts as possible. If you are a big fan of painting your nails but are worried about the multiple problems toxic nail polishes create, there are still safer options out there. Look for brands that do not contain the chemicals mentioned above at the very least.