fake nails WARNING

Hi Everyone,

I just discovered that my nice, long-lasting, strong artificial nails are toxic.

This link shows its effects:
http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/ohb/HESIS/mma.htm#HOW%20METHYL%20METHACRYLATE

I have been going to a salon that has a lot of little stations in it - and does nothing but nails. Their fills are inexpensive and so is a full set... anyway, I went in to get a fill and noticed moisture was getting between my nails (which were as long as the overlays) and the acrylics. All the manager did was apply nail glue between the two parts...

Then I decided I really needed to soak off these puppies and start again as they were starting to "lift". Looked up on the Internet what to use to remove artifical acrylic nails and found an article outlining how to tell if the nails you are getting have this stuff called methyl methacrylate, or MMA. Methyl methacrylate is produced mainly by a process based on the reaction of acetone with hydrogen cyanide.

If you yourself or someone you know is having fake nails applied, please check the products used. If a salon is hesitant to allow you to see the original containers the acrylic comes in, they may be using MMA, which is MUCH less expensive than the proper material, EMA (ethyl methacrylate), which is safe,

MMA is not safe - it's illegal. The FDA has banned this product for use on fingernails BUT not all states are enforcing this ban.

It took me 4 hours to soak my nails off in pure acetone!
Have You Been Exposed to MMA? Heres how to tell:

1. Low pricing for acrylic service (not a special sale or offer).
2, Acrylic difficult or impossible to remove with acetone or other solvents.
3. Technicians or management secretive about acrylic product brands used. Just because they have a Name brand polish in the salon does not mean they are using that brand of acrylic. Ask to see original containers.
4. Technicians often wear masks to prevent inhalation of the powerful distinct odour - Noxious, sharp and fruity.

Be careful out there! It's hard to garden if your fingers are damaged from a chemical.

Love and concern,
Janie

Yet another of those wonderful scientific developments I never enjoyed, because I am highly allergic to something in the adhesives. It sometimes appears I was lucky when I thought I was unlucky.

Janie, another concern is that moisture between your own nails and the acrylic: a fungal infection waiting to happen. That can also be very unpleasant. Signs of that would include a dark discoloration under the nail.

You are right, Pardancanda, that is why I removed mine completely - I do NOT want a fungus to grow. I had one under my toenail and it is finally growing out (thanks to God and tea tree oil and colliodal silver applications)...
Did NOT want that on fingers also.

Thanks for reminding.

Janie

I just recently had my very first set of nails put on because DH bought me a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas and I wanted to show it off and being as my nails looked awful I went and had a set put on....well I kinda liked them but kinda didn't. I kept them on for about 3 weeks and by the time I needed a fill in I was ready for them to come off!! I took them off myself and no it wasn't a easy job! Now my real nails are thin and not as healthy as before. That is the last time I will ever have them put on!!
It's just not worth the risk!!
Thanks for the heads up on this!

I have told people for years how unhealthy they were.
I have seen women who had the fungus, and would reapply the nail anyway. egads...
good luck to you

Well, thank the Lord my nails are not in bad shape - amazing since it's been over 3 years since I've had them off completely... so just this one salon I went to had the bad stuff. The regular acrylics have been great, strong enough to stand up to diggin in the dirt and pretty enough for a wedding...

: )

ugh... i used to do this...the fakes always left my real nails thin and scaly, the nail's layers actually began to seperate. Really weird and gross. I tried them again since it had been several years, but I had the same results.

Long ago I found a great set that was really awesome and had no problems with it...not sure what it was. Nowadays however, my nails are growing pretty well so no need for fakes. When I actually take care of them, ppl think my nails are fake anyway. :) Milk, daily vitamin and gelatin in case your wondering.

Janie, I am so glad you have not had permanent damage from the fake nails! (((( hugs )))) I have known a few people who got serious fungal infection under their toenails, they had to have the digits amputated. I am so glad it didn't happen to your fingers.

Thankfully my own nails are so thick and strong, they LOOK artificial, but are real. Polish won't adhere though. Every kind I have tried (hundreds through the years) flakes off within an hour, even if I don't use my hands at all. Oh well. The better to show the dirt beneath my nails :) Proof of a gardener!

JanieJoy: Soaking your nails in pure acetone for four hours is pretty alarming in itself. Not only are the fumes toxic, but you absorb it through the skin, as well. This whole business is pretty scary.

I've always admired long, pretty nails, but I just couldn't see closing off all the air on my nail surface. Nails are just another living thing, and I just can't see how any full time glued on cover can be good for them or for the user.