![]() OUCH! Ideally, any nail enhancement product should be weaker than the natural nail to prevent such a possibility. If the enhancement doesn’t flex or crack when jammed hard enough, something else will instead – the natural nail. Banging or jamming an MMA enhancement rarely ends up cracking the product, which from a customer’s perspective can seem like the perfect nail. ![]() The same properties that make MMA a functional bone cement, also make it a terrible nail enhancement product. When the enhancement is stronger than the natural nail itself, you run the risk of damaging your natural nail instead of the acrylic. Methyl methacrylate enhancements are extraordinarily durable. Unfortunately, one of the most hazardous effects of MMA is still considered a selling point for acrylic nails today: It seldom breaks or chips. Methyl methacrylate is not an evil substance however, when applying and working with acrylic nails the recognized dangers largely overshadow any potential benefits. Dental prosthetics are also cured outside of the body because MMA is not intended to come in contact with soft tissue. It has been used very successfully within the human body in the field of dentistry and for mending broken bones. The FDA corroborated some strong claims against using MMA while others began explaining it as dangerous, potentially even carcinogenic. Some arguments seem believable and even sound scientific so they must be true! ![]() There are several misconceptions that are spread across the industry that have unfortunately gotten some attention. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but one very important thing was forgotten too often: poor experiences with MMA may be turn a client away from the beauty industry forever.Well, that’s certainly never good for business. Shops with lower profit margins preferred using MMA to keep their costs down, and generate more profitability regardless of the long-term effects on their clients. Purely looking at the minimal costs associated with MMA against other chemicals, it is easy to see why – at about 1/3 of the cost of the much safer alternative ethyl methacrylate (EMA), MMA is just downright cheap. A specific federal law barring the use of MMA in nail formulations was never established and newer manufacturers in the ever-growing industry decided to use it in their new products. Cosmetic supply manufacturers voluntarily removed MMA from their chemical formulations and products containing MMA monomer were soon removed from the market. After investigating the injuries and consulting with respected dermatologists, the FDA concluded that MMA is “a poisonous and deleterious substance” and should not be used in liquid acrylic monomer for nail products. ![]() Food and Drug Administration received numerous complaints of fingernail damage and deformity, as well as contact dermatitis associated with the use of artificial nails specifically containing methyl methacrylate monomer. At that time, dental acrylic monomer was predominantly methyl methacrylate (MMA) due to its incredible ability to simulate enamel of a tooth when cured and quickly became the top choice for nail technicians as well. While at work in the 1950’s, a dentist by the name Fred Slack broke his thumb nail and sculpted an artificial replacement using aluminum foil and dental acrylic. Even fewer people know that the accidental discovery happened in the world of dentistry. Maybe you knew that, but many people don’t. Acrylic nails were an accidental discovery.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |