Hwaseong nail salon for pregnancy-safe beige cubic nails: Green Nail

When can you actually get pregnancy nails, and until when? Here's my honest review of Green Nail, a nail salon in Hwaseong.

When I was pregnant and my belly kept growing, my body felt heavier and I really needed a pick-me-up — that's exactly when I'd start craving a pretty nail art session. But there are so many things you can't do during pregnancy even if you want to. Is it even safe to get your nails done? How long can you keep it on before you have to remove it? So this time I'm sharing a genuinely happy visit to a Hwaseong nail salon called Green Nail, along with an honest review.

When are nails safe during pregnancy, and until which week?

Generally, weeks 1 through 12 of early pregnancy are when the fetus's brain and major organs are forming, so it's a very important and delicate period — it's best to avoid nail art during this time. It's not so much the gel itself that's the issue, but the acetone used for soak-off and the fine dust generated during the procedure, which can affect the respiratory system. So from week 14 onward, once you're into the more stable second trimester and through the early third trimester, is the best time to enjoy nail art.

How long before giving birth should gel nails come off?

So how long can you keep those pretty nails on? Between week 34 and, at the very latest, week 36, you absolutely must remove your gel nails and be back to bare nails. This is because if an emergency arises during a natural birth, or if you end up needing a C-section, the mother's fingers or toes need a pulse oximeter clipped on. The machine has to read fine blood flow and oxygen levels through the nail, and if it's covered by a thick layer of gel, it can't take an accurate reading. On top of that, medical staff also check nail color to intuitively gauge a mother's breathing or overall condition, so removing your nails before delivery isn't optional — it's essential. Please keep that in mind!

Inside Green Nail: visiting the Hwaseong nail salon

I also want to share my review of Green Nail, the Hwaseong nail salon I visited for some much-needed healing time~

The inside of Green Nail had a clean white tone with a modern atmosphere. There was almost no trace of that typical acetone or chemical smell!

I visited with my husband, and there was a sofa on one side where he sat and got completely absorbed in his phone haha

There's a separate space inside for pedicures. The chairs looked really plush and comfortable.

I also liked that there was a sink where you could wash your hands!

Choosing the beige & white cubic color and design at Green Nail

So many nail colors to choose from, and the range of colors is huge too. From calm tones to flashy, blingy art, all the way to delicate syrup-nail styles~~ There was such a variety of designs that I spent a long while agonizing over which to pick... In the end I chose this month's art: a simple design with just a hint of cubic stones.

My nail condition before care. My previous set had grown out quite long, so I started with gel removal first.

The gel removal was done cleanly, and the care afterward shaped everything up beautifully. When tidying up my cuticles, they were so gentle and thorough that I could relax through the whole process~!

Was the gel curing hot, and how much dust was there?

Now for the actual gel application! Putting your hand under the lamp to cure the gel can sometimes feel hot, but they applied the base in thin, multiple coats, so I got through it comfortably without any heat or discomfort~ And on top of that, they kept the dust extractor running strongly throughout so no dust would fly around — such a thoughtful touch!

Ta-da, today's finished gel nails ♥ The more I looked at them, the prettier they got. A clean beige & white tone, but with sparkly cubic stones added as an accent so it wouldn't feel plain :)

Is Green Nail in Hwaseong worth it for pregnancy nails?

Just getting your nails cared for at a salon can feel like healing!! If you're looking for a skilled nail salon near Hwaseong, or if, like me, you just need pretty nails for a mood reset, I'd recommend Green Nail in Hwaseong :) And especially if you're considering nail art during pregnancy, please stick to the safe window I shared today — after week 14 and before week 34 — so you can treat yourself to a pretty, worry-free mood lift.

• Green Nail / 12 Dongtanbansong-gil, 103-ho, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Hours 10:00 - 20:30
• Closed every Sunday
• Parking available