Beauty is often described as a form of self-expression. It is a way people show identity and creativity. Yet, many beauty routines rely on design assumptions that don’t reflect the full range of bodies, abilities, time constraints, or access needs.
As conversations around accessibility and inclusive design continue to grow, the beauty industry is increasingly being asked to reconsider for whom products are designed and who may be unintentionally excluded.
This article looks at where accessibility barriers show up in everyday beauty routines and uses iPolish, a digital nail color system that replaces traditional liquid polish with a device and app, as an example of how design choices can reduce some of those barriers.
What is iPolish
iPolish is a digital nail color system that uses a handheld device and app to apply color without traditional liquid polish. The process emphasizes simple setup, minimal mess, and limited need for fine-motor precision.
“We empathize with those with mobility issues and seek to accommodate wherever possible with new solutions today and tomorrow,” says Troy Fohrman, the founder of iPolish.
Traditional nail polish requires opening bottles, loading a brush, controlling liquid, and keeping a steady hand throughout application and drying. Each step adds opportunities for spills, smudging, and fatigue.
iPolish changes that process by using a handheld device that applies color digitally rather than through liquid polish and a brush. Instead of dipping and painting, users apply color directly through the device, which controls color delivery and reduces direct contact with liquid materials. This shifts much of the control from the user’s hand to the device.
By removing open bottles and brush-based application, the system reduces the need to manage liquid polish and maintain precise hand movements. For some users, this can make nail coloring more predictable and less physically demanding than traditional methods.
Why Accessibility Matters in Beauty
Many beauty routines assume:
steady hands
fine motor control
visual precision
tolerance for mess and cleanup
time and energy for multi-step processes
For people with disabilities, chronic pain, fatigue, low vision, or limited dexterity, these assumptions can turn self-expression into a source of stress or discomfort.
How Common Design Assumptions Create Barriers
In nail care and other beauty routines, barriers often stem from:
small or slippery tools
products that spill or smear
dense or visually complex instructions
drying times that require sustained stillness
These challenges can disproportionately affect people with limited dexterity, chronic pain, visual fatigue, or reduced endurance.
Fohrman emphasized that reducing these friction points was a core design goal:
“Everything is simple and gentle with iPolish. No mess. Simple setup and prep. Simple application. Limited precision is required to make the system work, so those with limited dexterity and limited time can have fun and self-express without incurring pain or unnecessary stress.”
Where Barriers Appear in Everyday Beauty Routines
In many beauty routines, accessibility barriers appear at both the product and user level. Common problems include:
Packaging that requires grip strength, twisting, or two-handed use
Applicators that demand fine motor precision
Small text, low-contrast labels, or visually dense instructions
Products that spill, smear, or require extended drying time
Pressure to complete routines quickly or in multiple steps
These design challenges often intersect with broader access barriers, such as:
Limited dexterity or hand strength
Low vision or visual fatigue
Chronic pain or limited stamina
Sensory sensitivities
Time and cost constraints
Nail care, in particular, frequently combines several of these barriers into a single routine, making participation more difficult even when interest and creativity are present.
How iPolish Approaches the Challenge
Nail care is a visible and personal form of self-expression. Color and design choices can reflect mood, personality, or cultural identity. At the same time, nail care often requires sustained focus, precision, and cleanup, all of which can create barriers to participation.
iPolish offers a different approach to nail care:
Uses a handheld device and mobile app instead of traditional liquid nail polish
Designed to reduce mess and cleanup compared to conventional nail care
Requires less precision than standard polish application
Emphasizes simple setup and use, rather than multi-step routines
Not marketed as an accessibility-first product, but offers a useful example of how design choices can intersect with access
The App Experience
The iPolish system relies on a mobile app, making it a central part of the user experience rather than an optional add-on. The app is used to select colors and manage the digital aspects of the nail application process, acting as the interface between the user and the handheld device.
Because the app is required for setup and use, its clarity and ease of navigation directly affect the system’s accessibility. A complicated or visually dense app can create barriers just as easily as a difficult physical tool.
Fohrman said the company focused on keeping the app straightforward through repeated testing and iteration:
“We studied accessibility and intuitive use cases extensively to ensure that the App was simple to use for anyone, regardless of their level of expertise with technology. There have been multiple iterations of the App to ensure that users have an enjoyable experience from their first engagement forward.”
By limiting complexity and refining the interface over time, the app is designed to reduce the trial-and-error required to get started. For users who may experience fatigue, limited hand endurance, or frustration with multi-step digital tools, a simpler app can make the difference between using the system independently and needing assistance.
Product Availability (as shared by iPolish)
iPolish products are currently available for pre-order, with deliveries expected to begin in June 2026. To learn more or place an order, visit the iPolish website.
The device is designed to work alongside a companion mobile app, which guides users through the nail design and application process.
Looking Ahead: Inclusive Beauty Technology
Reducing steps, mess, and precision demands can make the difference between a routine that feels manageable and one that feels exhausting or painful. For people with limited dexterity, chronic pain, fatigue, or low vision, these design details affect whether participation is possible at all.
Accessible beauty is not about defining style or appearance. It is about making every day routines more workable so people can decide for themselves what level of effort, time, or expression feels right, without added physical strain or frustration.
For readers interested in learning more about accessibility and inclusive design in beauty, Ability Central offers additional coverage exploring how thoughtful product design can remove barriers and expand self-expression. Check out mroe related Ability Central resources on beauty and accessibility:
Beauty Without Barriers: Accessibility, Representation, and Disability Pride
Rare Beauty Made Accessible: How Inclusive Design Is Changing Cosmetics
Want to support more work like this? Explore Abilty Central’s homepage and consider a donation.
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
