Are Manicures Good for Young Kids?

Avoid the Salon

• The fumes floating around nail salons can be harmful to the littlest patrons, according to Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. You can have fun giving your little one pretty nails with your own polish and tools, in a well-ventilated room at home. A DIY manicure will also be more comfortable for a small child, who may not be ready to sit quietly in a salon while a stranger touches her hands. If you can't do without the salon experience, select one that appears sanitary with good air flow. Arriving as soon as the salon opens might limit exposure to chemicals that are released throughout the day, according to Whattoexpect.com.

Pick the Right Polish

• The state of California in April 2012 reported finding toxic ingredients in mislabeled nail polish bottles, according to ABC News. These chemicals were linked to such conditions as cancer and asthma. Nail polish designed for adults can be even more dangerous for young children, who tend to put their fingers in their mouths and ingest polish. For these reasons, Elizabeth Angell, articles editor for "Allure" magazine, recommends using nontoxic, water-based polish designed for children. Kid-friendly polish doesn't last as long as standard polish, but it is easy to clean if spilled, and is available in fun colors marketed toward children.

Be Careful with Tools

• Some traditional manicures include cuticle cutting with a sharp scissors or nail clipper, but this isn't recommended for young children. It can promote hangnails and leave incisions in skin and nail beds that could harbor infection. Gently push your little one's cuticles back instead of clipping them, or just leave them alone. Regularly clean and disinfect tools you use at home. If you opt to take your child to a salon, bring your own tools for the manicurist to use.

Make It Fun

• Placing too much importance on perfectly primped hands might damage a child's self-image. If your little one is interested in manicures, and you're comfortable with her having them at a young age, make it a fun treat rather than a mandatory ritual. Let your child be creative with colors, learn to sit still and enjoy being pampered, but try not to get upset if your small tot plays too hard and smears her polish soon after her manicure.