Dangers of the acrylic nail

Written By: Amanda

Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA) nails are expensive and longer lasting than Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) nails, which are cheaper and may cause side effects to the actual nail.

MMA is not meant to be used on the natural nail, since it is toxic to the skin (a healthy example of nails right). MMA is most often used for dental acrylics and lighting, plumbing and bathroom fixtures.

Long term side effects of MMA is suppression of the central nervous system, skin and eye irritation, and some lung damage. Many nail salons have reformulated how they put on nails to avoid such causes.

The most common ways that women can tell if the salons that they are going to uses MMA by smelling the air for harsh odors, low priced sets of acrylic nails and seeing if the technicians are wearing masks over their faces. If there is none of the above, ask the nail technician what the chemical content of the bond is.

If women buy the EMA nails than the chances of the artifical nail stunting the growth of their real nail is lower.

“I only buy acrylic nails for special occasions,” junior Ashley Porcelli said. “I budget when I’m going to buy them each year to save money.”

People who have brittle nails usually buy acrylic nails because that keeps their nail strong. Acrylic nails also help those who bleed easily, this protects nails from becoming infected.

The nail has to be filed to have the correct surface to attach the artificial nail to, so the technician files down the nail. When this is happening it raises the moisture level in the nail to 25%.

Fungi and infections start to grown in the nail when the moisture level is at 28%.

If there is ever anything wrong with the acrylic nails, they need to be seen by a professional. This means if the nail is loose, cracked or layered over the cuticle of the finger.

A loose acrylic nail could mean that water could get under the nail and cause mildew to grow.

Acrylic nails are harmless as long as the person wearing them takes good care of them.

Women who type or use their fingers on a daily basis should buy hard acrylic nails, so they don’t chip. Women who just want to add glamor to their life for a while should buy the soft acrylic nails.

When taking off the artificial nail try to avoid ripping or tearing the fake nail off. This prevents the separation of the real nail to the skin.

“I like to wear acrylic nails,” junior Kate Waters said. “They just look so much better than my real nails.”

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