I am a nail tech,have been for 10 years.The thing about your nails being more porous is crap,they just dont want to get in bother if something goes wrong. As long as you get them done in a salon that adheres to H&S standards regarding ventilation and they are done by a qualified tech(which in a lot of salons they are not) then you will be fine. Licensed salons will not use acrylic which contains MMA which has now been banned but smaller places still get it imported from China because it is cheap. If your tech uses an e-file then she/he should as standard offer you a face mask. Most nail polishes used now are both toleune and formaldehyde free and have been extensively tested.If I didnt know it was safe for me and my baby then I wouldnt still be working. The danger comes from inexperienced or not fully qualified techs not handling and using the chemicals properly.
@Marysr when nail enhancements are done properly then at no time does the gel or acrylic come into contact with your cuticles,lateral nail folds or your skin. Its one of the first things you get taught.