The effect of nail polish on pulse oximetry readings

Pulse oximeters utilise the pulsatile nature of arterial blood flow to distinguish it from venous flow and estimate oxygen saturation in arterial blood. Pulse oximetry is primarily used in hospital wards, emergency rooms, intensive care units, operating rooms and home care.

The objective of this study is to determine whether the use of nail polish of various colours have an effect on oximeter readings of oxygen saturation value.

The sample group of this study is comprised of 40 healthy women. In the first phase of the study, readings were taken on left and right hand fingers, with no nail polish, to determine any differences in oxygen saturation value. In the second phase of the study, 10 different colours of nail polish, namely dark red, yellow, dark blue, green, purple, brown, white, metallic, black and pink, of the same brand were applied. Readings were recorded once oxygen saturation values on the screen became stable. Number and percentage distributions along with Wilcoxon signed ranks and Friedman test were used in the analysis of data.

Only red nail polish did not yield statistically significant reading results. We conclude that different nail polish colours cause a clinically significant change in pulse oximeter readings in healthy volunteers.