| The issue is a chemical called Methyl Methacrylate, or MMA. Millions of women who paid for acrylic nail services in recent years have been unknowingly exposed to this chemical, which has been blamed for fungal infections, nail plate damage, nail loss and deformation, loss of sensation in the fingertips, respiratory ailments and numerous other problems. The FDA declared it to be a poisonous and harmful substance when used on fingernails. Responsible manufacturers Quickly switched their salon clients over to Ethyl methacrylate (EMA), a more expensive and safer bonding liquid.
Discount salons may offer a full set of nails for $25.00 compared to $50. or more at their competitors. Some of the differences can be explained by the low overhead of the discount salons which often operate in cheap store fronts and poorly trained, low wage technicians. But the main reason for this price difference is the use of MMA, which can cost as little as $15.00 a gallon, compared to $300. for a gallon of EMA.
The problem with MMA is that its atoms are so small that they penetrate the skin and nail plate. MMA is a sanitizer that can cause damage, irritation and allergic reactions once it is in contact with the skin. EMA is much safer, larger is atomic size, and less likely to cause allergic reactions.
While it is the incredible strength and price that attracts its users, MMA products have extremely poor adhesion. For enhancements to adhere, the nail plate receives severe abrasions. The nail plate must be overly filed (drilled) and excessively this before the MMA nail is applied. Its dangerous strength increases the potential for nail damage when applied to a weakened nail plate. If the nail breaks, the whole nail plate may be removed. Women have had their natural nails ripped out (sometimes permanently) because the MMA acrylic did not break off when exposed to the trauma.
Salons using oversized brushes in order to save time, make beads of acrylic that are far too wet! These brushes can carry enough liquid for 3 nails! This means that product that appears to be hardened, does not set up properly, and the chemical MMA leeches through the nail plate and directly into the blood stream. In short, brushes that are too large do not save time, they can lead to serious allergic reactions.
MMA creates nails that are not easily removed without causing severe damage to the nail plate. It only takes 30 - 35 minutes to remove a set of EMA based nails by soaking in acetone, but up to 2 hours to remove MMA based ones. In order to save time, discount salons often pry or nip off the acrylic nail which pulls off layers of nail and may cause injury to the matrix (which is crucial in the formation of cells for the new nail) leading to permanent deformities of the nail. Hazard Summary:
* MMA has a strong, sharp odor and affect you when breathed in.
* It may damage the developing fetus.
* Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
* MMA can cause skin allergy.
* Exposure could damage the nervous system.
* Symptoms may include a pins and needles feeling, numbness,
weakness and changes in the ability to remember and concentrate.
* Severe side affects may include abnormal liver or kidney function, nervous system damage and reproductive problems |
