Does '3 Free' mean anything to you?

[Chameleon]

Yes - I do it means no di butyl phalate, no formaldehyde and no toulene - I use Spa Ritual and they have been very conscious about these chemicals. Zoya are also 3 free.

I may be wrong but i think Zoya were the very first company to endorse this.

 

[alpina]

I haven't yet voted, but I clearly need to read up on this subject. I knew they were three harmful ingredients that are used in some polishes, however didn't know the names. Formaldehyde rings a bell, but I will be off to do a bit more reading now.

The only other that comes to mind is, I thought the CND polishes we currenly use were free from these ingredients... or are they just formaldehyde free? I'm off to grab my MSDS folder...

 

[geeg]

The phrase Truly 3 Free does indeed mean that the three chemicals mentioned have been removed from the polish formulation.

TRULY 3-FREE. This means:

· No Formaldehyde or Formaldehyde Resin (TSFR)
(Formaldehyde also sometimes known as methanal or formalin)

· No Toluene (Toluene, also known as methylbenzene, phenylmethane & toluol)

· No DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)

Companies that are now TRULY 3-FREE are:

· CND

· Jessica

· Spa Ritual

· Zoya

Some other 'leading' brands that make claims to be 3 free in fact still contain formaldehyde resin, and there are still others that claim to be 3 free that in fact contain all 3 and are just blatantly lying. (There are always a few about)

If this issue is of concern to you then check the MSDS of the products you are using.

It is interesting to see that the small poll shows about half as many of those that knew (or sort of knew) to those who didn't know (or sort of knew)!! :lol:

I for one am pleased that CND have taken such a huge step in their new Colour Effects polish range and are now truly 3 free.

 

[Mieke]

I had to say that i didn´t knew either.
Do all three have the possibility to cause an allergic reaction on a customer? How common is it for a customer to react on a polish? Never experienced anything like it so would be interesting to here a bit more about it.

 

[geeg]

I had to say that i didn´t knew either.
Do all three have the possibility to cause an allergic reaction on a customer? How common is it for a customer to react on a polish? Never experienced anything like it so would be interesting to here a bit more about it.

In fact it is most unusual for anyone to react to a polish even one that contains all the three chemicals listed above.

But if you can obtain polishes that don't contain known allergens or carcinogens then so much the better. It's all positive and to the good.

 

[brittone05]

Any good links to further reading about this please Geeg? All sounds very interesting if not a little technical

 

[geeg]

I think if you read Ruth's post on the first page of this thread, it explains the concerns with each chemical.

It all goes along with eliminating chemicals that are known to be potentially hazardous to health. It is true to say that many people do have a reaction to formaldehyde in polish and formaldehyde has been removed from many many products in the past few years.

I'm sure if you googled it you would find allot of information.

 

[The Geek]

Being 3 Free is less to do with safety than being proactive about consumer right groups which are becoming overly vocal about these 3 ingredients (even though their gripes aren't really founded in reality). Regardless, its great that CND have improved their formula while eliminating these ingredients and even better that there are other companies that have already taken the plunge to become 3 free. It will save the professional the increasing amount of awkward discussions with their customers that will wrongly start to believe that these bad ingredients are akin to Asbestos thanks to an over the top sensationalistic media. I would be really surprised if all companies are not 3 free in the next 2-3 years.

 

[bellabeautie]

Well I voted "nope not a thing" because until I read about the new CND polishes coming out I wouldnt of had a clue.... until now :green: xx

 

[DollyDaydream]

I didn't vote as I am not a professional yet but I do remember seeing a sticker on my Zoya nail varnish giftset saying something along the lines of "3 free and safe for pregnant women" with a little pic of a pregnant lady.

I am hoping to train with CND before Christmas and think it's great that their products will be without these chemicals and that they have taken the time and trouble to adapt them.

I wonder if they be bringing out posters stating this? I think "3 free" posters or leaflets would be a really good way of educating clients in what CND are doing to protect them as well as highlighting the fact that other companies will still be using these substances in their products. Not in a scaremongering way of course, but a positive, subtle way to highlight another thing CND are doing right with their products which are already so respected.

I can't wait to be part of the family!! Come on savings!

 

[geeg]

I didn't vote as I am not a professional yet but I do remember seeing a sticker on my Zoya nail varnish giftset saying something along the lines of "3 free and safe for pregnant women" with a little pic of a pregnant lady.

I am hoping to train with CND before Christmas and think it's great that their products will be without these chemicals and that they have taken the time and trouble to adapt them.

I wonder if they be bringing out posters stating this? I think "3 free" posters or leaflets would be a really good way of educating clients in what CND are doing to protect them as well as highlighting the fact that other companies will still be using these substances in their products. Not in a scaremongering way of course, but a positive, subtle way to highlight another thing CND are doing right with their products which are already so respected.

I can't wait to be part of the family!! Come on savings!

You're already part of the family:hug:

Yea .. I have to say I do not like advertising that tries to scare people ... saying our polish is safe for pregnant women is actually saying that if you use some other polish it isn't safe ... and that would be untrue. All nail polish is safe to use for those who aren't allergic to it. But as Samuel said, it is a proactive move on CND's behalf and that is good and right but they are not doing it because nail polish is dangerous ... it is not.

Clients do ask questions about these things. Some are very vocal in not using anything that contains formaldehyde or bla bla ... being able to say that CND enamels are truly 3 free will be just another asset to stocking the range.

 

[DollyDaydream]

You're already part of the family:hug:

Thanks Geeg! I just can't wait to get the ball rolling and go and see Ketan!

x

 

[The Geek]

I have to say I do not like advertising that tries to scare people ... saying our polish is safe for pregnant women is actually saying that if you use some other polish it isn't safe ... and that would be untrue.

Well said. Although '3 Free' is a feature of the new Colour, effects (and even treatments) and will appear as stickers on the bottles and marketing material, it will be to point out we are 3 Free instead of trying to make people think others are dangerous. In fact, IMO advertising statements like 'safe for pregnancy use' is actually very bad taste considering current colour formulations have been used safely by women for almost 100 years, there is no real evidence that suggests otherwise. Just media hype and some freaky consumer advocacy groups. None the less, its great to not have to worry about it

 

[cirrusbeauty]

i have a client that is very consious what are in the products i use in her treatments she has been saying for a long time she wont have a nail polish with formaldyhide in it used on her!

not sure but i also seem to have something in the back of my mind can formaldehyde cause a slight yellowing of the nails? might be totally wrong but seem to remember something like this! xx

 

[The Geek]

It can do, but in nail enamel, the formaldehyde is actually in a resin called TSF and its amount is minuscule. It would take a lot more than that to cause yellowing. Many natural nail strengtheners contain high amounts of formaldehyde (>2%) which can cause yellowing over a long period of time.

 

[alpina]

I haven't yet voted, but I clearly need to read up on this subject. I knew they were three harmful ingredients that are used in some polishes, however didn't know the names. Formaldehyde rings a bell, but I will be off to do a bit more reading now.

The only other that comes to mind is, I thought the CND polishes we currenly use were free from these ingredients... or are they just formaldehyde free? I'm off to grab my MSDS folder...

Sorry to quote myself. I've just gone back and voted for no clue. After reading my msds I discovered that I clearly need more education in this area. :o

 

[Paul Bryson]

"Some other 'leading' brands that make claims to be 3 free in fact still contain formaldehyde resin"

With all due respect, Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin (TSFR) is not the same chemical as Formaldehyde. It's true that formaldehyde is one of the raw materials used to make the resin (hence the name), but in the manufacture of the resin, the formaldehyde is consumed and converted into an entirely different chemical, an inert polymer with a completely different molecular structure and reactive behavior. Stripped of the scientific geek-speak, it's just not the same stuff. TSFR has no safety hazards other than the occasional allergy (in which regard it is no different from many common foods.)

Long nail industry experience has shown that many people who are allergic to formaldehyde, are perfectly okay using products with TSFR. Conversely, research has shown that some people can be allergic to TSFR even though they are NOT allergic to formaldehyde. This could not be true if they were the same chemical. (There are, of course, a few unfortunate people who are allergic to both.)

Formaldehyde, to my knowledge, has never been used in any nail products other than specialized nail hardeners. Common nail colors use only TSFR. The myth of "formaldehyde in nail polish" is largely based on the widespread misunderstanding of the name of the resin: most people just assume that it's the same chemical as formaldehyde - but it's not.

and there are still others that claim to be 3 free that in fact contain all 3 and are just blatantly lying. (There are always a few about)

Blatant liars do exist in this industry, as in all others. However, at times companies that really did remove the chemicals, have been wrongly accused of lying or even breaking the law, because a customer or a government inspector found an OLD bottle that was made and sold long before the formula change.

 

[stunners]

Wow thank you paul that clarifies alot of the hype, you definately know your stuff - A specialist in your field I'm sure

 

[elegancenails]

i could help but google it... sorry.

now i know.... geez! didn't even think about that im glad opi is on there, money not wasted

 

[geeg]

Did I say anywhere that Formaldehyde Resin was the same as formaldehyde??

I don't think I did as I am quite aware that the two chemicals are different and have been teaching others that fact for years. Why? Because CND polishes did contain TSFR but not Formaldehyde and as one can imagine I was asked many times about it. Be careful when you quote and lift one sentence out of a load of others ... gives the wrong impression.

OPI polish I believe still does contain TSFR. I'm not saying that is good bad or ugly; as stated above women have been using polish for nearly 100 years with few problems. It is consumer groups that have pushed the move to 3 free polish, and not because anyone has been dying from using it.

Well, I provide nail services to consumers and am quite thankful that I no longer have to give the long explanation about TSFR being a different chemical to Formaldehyde and bla bla bla. I'm glad that CND have removed TSFR from their polish as it just makes my life easier PLUS the added bonus of actually a superior polish (and I was perfectly happy with it before the change).