Get educated about MMA and its harmful effects on your nails.

MMA (Methyl methacrylate)

MMA is an ingredient used the acrylic monomer (purplish liquid). 

MMA is used for the building of crowns or bridges in the dental industry,bone cement, in floor products and in plexiglas. 

This product was not created for safe use on skin or nails. However, some nail technicians opt for products with MMA content as it is cheaper. In the liquid state  it is harmful, once hardened it is not dangerous. This is why many clients are unaware until they go for a soak off. MMA acrylic is extremely hard  and can easy pull off the natural nail. It is also insolvent and soak off are thus longer than usual. When MMA acrylic nails are soaked in acetone they become a sticky hard substance which is a mess to take off. 

SIGNS THAT YOUR NAIL TECH IS USING MMA ON YOUR NAILS:

1. ODOUR- pungent fruity
2. PHYSICAL- tingly/itchy fingers,tight throat or chest,dizziness, funny taste your mouth,burning fingers.
3. PRICE- MMA products are far cheaper than EMA and thus their services are quizzically far cheaper. (This is not always the case)
4. PRIVACY- product cases without labels. If the owners are hesitant to state what products they use ,this indicates they use unlicensed products. 
5.  NAIL PREP- They would etch the nail often leaving nail file burns on the nail plate in order to get the product to adhere.
6. REMOVAL TIME-Takes up to 2+ hours to remove as compared to EMA which takes 20-30 minutes. 
7. INFECTIONS AND PERMANENT DEFORMATIES-MMA acrylic is much too strong that a slight bump can cause the natural nail to break and lead to infections. MMA molecules are smaller than EMA and can be absorbed into even unbroken skin which is stored as methanol in the blood and urine, also causing  permanent damage to the nail matrix

No nail enhancement should hurt during or after the service.During a proper nail prep the nail is lightly filed to remove the surface shine for the enhancement. The natural nail should be preserved and unharmed under the enhancement. 

MMA Acrylic is sticky and hard resulting in damage when removed.  Whereas, EMA acrylic is easily pushed off the nail after a soak off revealing a healthy set of nails. 










This is how you would identify MMA acrylic when it is being removed. 

EMA (Ethyl methacrylate)

EMA is widely used in most acrylic systems.EMA is deemed safer than MMA for use by trained nail technicians.