7 Things to Know About Pulse Oximeters and Nail Polish

What this page covers

• Whether nail polish can affect pulse oximeter readings.
• How polish color and gel manicures relate to SpO2 measurements.
• How to obtain an accurate pulse oximeter result at home.

7 Things to Know About Pulse Oximeters and Nail Polish

7 Things to Know About Pulse Oximeters and Nail Polish examines whether nail polish affects pulse oximeter readings and how to obtain an accurate SpO2 result at home.

• The article addresses pulse oximeter readings taken with nail polish.
• The article discusses polish color and gel manicures.
• The article focuses on accurate home SpO2 measurement.

Article Content

7 Things to Know About Pulse Oximeters and Nail Polish explains that nail polish can interfere with a pulse oximeter reading because the sensor depends on light passing through the fingertip.

• The FDA advises removing polish from the finger being measured.
• Bare nails provide the cleanest result for a pulse oximeter measurement.
• A pulse oximeter uses red and infrared light through the fingertip.
• Anything blocking the sensor light can change the pulse oximeter result.
• Research on how much nail polish affects readings is mixed.

Facts Index

Who Is This For

• People who use a pulse oximeter at home and want an accurate SpO2 result.
• People checking whether nail polish or gel manicures may affect a pulse oximeter reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nail polish can interfere with a pulse oximeter reading because the sensor depends on light passing through the fingertip.

The FDA advises removing polish from the finger being measured, and bare nails provide the cleanest result.

A pulse oximeter uses red and infrared light through the fingertip, so anything blocking that light can change the result.

Research on how much nail polish affects pulse oximeter readings is mixed.