Dangers of MMA in Nail Products - ACRYLIC NAILS

When women want to use acrylics to enhance the beauty of their nails, they seek out qualified nail technicians who can do the job properly. And when these women entrust the care of their nails to professionals, they expect the nail products used not to compromise their health.

But nail technicians who knowingly use methyl methacrylate (MMA) based nail products put their clients at risk for serious problems.

MMA is a product that's typically used by dentists and orthopedic surgeons to make bridges, crowns, and bone cement. But MMA is no stranger to the nail care industry. Despite the fact that MMA has been deemed unsafe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the 1970's, some nail technicians insist on using it in their acrylic nail products.

Why Some Nail Salons Use MMA-

Have you ever wondered how some nail shops can offer to apply a full set of acrylic nails for twenty-dollars, while other salons in the same vicinity have to charge twice as much?

The variance in price is probably because the lower priced salons use MMA, as opposed to the safer but more expensive alternative, ethyl methacrylate (EMA). Price is not the only reason techs use MMA-based nail products on their clients. MMA dries quickly, and makes acrylic nails stronger.

There are cases, however, where the manufacturers who ship liquid adhesives to salons are not required to list the ingredients on the labels, so some technicians may not realize that they are using MMA-based nail products on their clients. But even if this is the case, salon owners have a responsibility to know exactly what nail products they are using on their clients.

Problems with MMA-

MMA can't adhere properly to the natural nail, so technicians will file the surface of the nail down. Once the surface of the nail is filed, the MMA will bond with amazing strength - so strong in fact, that if you bump the acrylic nail on a hard surface, your real nail can lift right off the bed, and cause permanent damage.

Some other dangers of MMA include:
o skin irritations
o numbness
o nails turning black
o liver damage
o harm to a fetus
o nerve damage
o respiratory damage

Acrylic nails can enhance the beauty of your hands. But dont take chances with your health. If you plan to have acrylic nails applied, ask the nail technician what type of liquid adhesives she uses on her clients, and if there is any doubt, ask to see the original container.