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Jewelry Turning Your Skin Green? Try This

A person wears multiple geometric shaped rings on their fingers.
Head over Heels/Shutterstock.com

Have you ever removed your ring and noticed an unsightly greenish-black line on your finger? Don’t worry, you aren’t turning into a Shrek-like creature or being eaten alive by an infectious disease. In fact, it won’t harm you at all and will disappear within a few hours.

However, there is something you can do to prevent this from happening. Plus, it’ll keep your jewelry lasting longer and your fingers from turning unpleasant colors. You only need a bottle of clear nail polish.

6 Rod Ring Holder Jewelry Stand

Keep your jewelry safe and clean with this ring organizer.

The greenish coloring of the skin after wearing jewelry is typically caused by the natural chemical reactions in the copper. Copper is a common metal found in most rings, particularly cheaper ones, and it can react to the acidity in your skin (especially when you are sweating). Copper might also react to products on your skin, like lotions or hand sanitizers.

It’s also important to note that if your finger experiences any redness, swelling, or itching, it may be an allergic reaction.

To prevent the discoloration from occurring, take a bottle of clear nail polish (make sure it’s not gel polish, though) and coat a thin layer on the inside of your ring. Doing so creates a thin barrier between the copper and your skin, which will prevent any chemical reaction from taking place.

And voila! You may want to reapply every so often, as the barrier tends to break down over time. And while you’re at it, give yourself an at-home manicure and add a shiny top coat to your nails!

Lindsay Ray Lindsay Ray
Lindsay is a lifestyle and beauty writer currently living in Arizona. She has several years of experience as a freelance writer and reporter, with a specialized interest in the beauty and lifestyle space. From beauty hacks to DIY home décor and everything in between -- Lindsay has a passion for crafting stories that entertain, educate, and inspire. Her writing has appeared in Thought Catalog, The List, Drink Me Magazine, the Auburn Examiner, and Litro Magazine in the United Kingdom. Read Full Bio »
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