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Acrylic Nails Harbor More Bacteria Than Natural Nails

Study Finds

A recent study has found that acrylic nails harbor more bacteria than natural nails, and that wearing them is not recommended for health care workers.

Results

The study, which was published in the journal “Applied and Environmental Microbiology,” found that after cleaning, pathogen clearing was significantly lower in artificial or acrylic nails than in natural nails. The study also found that acrylic nails harbor more bacteria than natural nails, even after washing with soap and water.

Conclusions

The study's authors concluded that the increased number of bacteria on acrylic nails could lead to an increased risk of infection, and that health care workers should avoid wearing them.