6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
As I See It: FDA and NMC Denounce MMA Use
Whether you call it “dental acrylic,” “porcelain,” or methyl methacrylate (its proper name), there should be no question any longer that MMA does not belong on human fingernails.
October 1, 1996
2 min to read
Whether you call it “dental acrylic,” “porcelain,” or methyl methacrylate (its proper name), there should be no question any longer that MMA does not belong on human fingernails. The FDA took a stand against MMA in the 1970s and reinforced its position recently when it declared that it would take action against companies supplying MMA to the nail industry. The FDA originally instituted its ban because of the complaints it received from consumers.
There are reasons that MMA (in the liquid-monomer form) is forbidden for nails: It can cause skin reactions when it comes in contact with soft tissue; long-term exposure to its vapors can lead to respiratory problems; and not least, a nail extension sculpted from an MMA system is usually so rigid and adheres to the nail so well that instead of breaking off when it is strained, the product can tear the nail plate right off with it, causing permanent damage to the nail bed.
Yet there are still companies who market MMA to the professional salon industry MMA is easier and less expensive to make than its safer alternative (called ethyl methacrylate). And, there are plenty of nail technicians who like MMA because of the strong nails it creates. But this issue has ramifications beyond public health. It has also brought scrutiny to the legitimate products used in the industry and has confused and scared many professionals and consumers. It’s a case of the industry’s reputation suffering from the bad rap of one product.
But now suppliers and nail professionals who deal in the product do so at their peril. Not only is the FDA now putting more force behind its ban, the Nail Manufacturers Council has publicly denounced MMA suppliers. In fact, the council asks that if you know of anyone engaged in selling or distributing MMA-containing products to report it to them. NAILS supports the FDA and NMC’s stand and admonishes nail technicians to steer clear of MMA.
RELATED ARTICLES:
All the News That's Fit to Print (Understanding EMA Safety Issues) [1997]
1997: A Year of Controversy [1997]
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Wellness
The Invisible Hazard in Every Nail Salon and How to Fight It
From acrylic monomers to airborne bio-dust, the air inside a nail salon carries risks most professionals never see coming. Aerovex Systems reveals the source-capture and room-purification strategies that are setting a new standard for salon safety.
Sponsored by Aerovex Systems
Nail Safety Council Warns Holiday Shoppers About Toxic 'Magic' Gel Polish Removers
Products marketed as 'magic' or 'burst' gel removers may contain methylene chloride, a federally banned, highly toxic chemical.
How Beauty Pros Can Prevent Pain: Somatic Movement for Career Longevity
Working in beauty doesn’t have to hurt. Learn how Somatic Movement helps hairstylists, lash artists, and other beauty pros release tension, improve posture, and extend their careers.
Spa Day, Safe Day: Stop Fungal Infections in Their Tracks
As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.
Federal Research on Nail Salon Safety Concludes Due to Budget Reductions
A federal initiative aimed at studying chemical exposure in nail salons has ended due to staffing and budget changes. Here’s what the project set out to do—and what its conclusion means for salon professionals.
by Anne Moratto
Opinion: What You Need to Know About Pedicure Safety
For many people, a pedicure is a relaxing beauty ritual. But what most don’t realize is that this simple service, if done without proper hygiene and sanitation, can cause serious infections and long-term health issues.
Onycholysis: What Nail Pros Should Know About Nail Separation
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. While it may look painful, it typically isn’t—at least not at first. But without proper care, this common nail disorder can lead to infections, deformities, and long-term damage.
What to Say--or Not Say--to Someone Grieving
Mckenzie Kool, Psychologist, MC, RPsych provides us with guidance on what may or not be helpful in speaking with someone who has suffered a significant loss.
Protecting Your Clients From Viral Infections
Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).
Beauty Professionals, It's Time to Take the Green Pledge
As Earth Day approaches, The Green Beauty Community Foundation and the Green Spa Network invite beauty pros to step forward and embrace sustainability through the Green Pledge--a powerful initiative designed by and for beauty industry leaders.
How Not to Be Cynical About Valentine's Day
Don’t cancel Valentine’s Day altogether, urges Jill Palmquist. Instead, think of it as a (frilly, flowery, Champagne-bubbly) wake-up call to fall deeply in love with your own life.
Temporary Burnout or Time to Hang Up the Shears?
Life coach and Culture Ambassador of Sam Villa, Andrew Carruthers, outlines how to tell if your burnout is temporary - or if it's time to make a bigger career change.
Nail Care and Cancer Treatment: 6 Tips for a Safe Nail Service
Cancer treatment can create very specific challenges for your guest when it comes to hair, skin, and also nails. Here are some tips for working with your salon client who is going through cancer treatment to help you provide a relaxing, enjoyable, and also safe experience.
Sun Patch Protects Hands from Sun Damage
For those clients concerned about exposure from UV lamps, the Sun Patch might be a solution. Sun Patches are waterproof, reusable (up to 10 wears) block 98% of UVA/UVB rays, and maintain their UPF 50+ rating all day long.
by Anne Moratto
The Nail Doctor: Onycholysis, or Nail Separation, Has Different Varieties
One of the most common conditions that affects the nail is onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. Onycholysis occurs as a result of or along with a great variety of nail traumas and disorders. Probably the most common cause of onycholysis is a fungal infection of the nail.
Standing Stretches for Physical Longevity
Hairdressing is a physically taxing career integrating simple stretches into your daily routine can reduce the strain repetitive motion puts on your body, help you stay flexible and strong and eventually prolong your career.