Why we do not use Methyl Methacrylate - MMA at Glam!
Methyl Methacrylate - MMA for short, has been prohibited
for use in the nail industry in the US since the late 70's. MMA is not
a banned substance in Australia because MMA can be used safely. However,
it is important for people to be aware of the risks associated with this
product.
Interesting Articles to read:
(1)
"Are
you concerned that you have been exposed to MMA?"
(2) "MMA What is it and can be done about it?"
(3) WA Health article "Methyl
Methacrylate (MMA)Use of MMA in Nail Products 'Environmental Health Guide'."
Most nail technicians know they should not use products containing this
ingredient, but they don't know why! Scientific information collected
about MMA shows that toxicity is NOT the reason MMA makes a poor nail
enhancement ingredient. In fact, for many years MMA has been safely
implanted in the body as a bone repair cement - so it is not a dangerous
toxin, as many imagine.
There are four main
reasons why should MMA not be used?:
-
MMA nail products do not adhere well to the nail
plate. To make these products adhere, nail technicians often shred
up (etch) the surface of the nail. This thins the nail plate and
makes it weaker.
-
MMA creates the hardest and most rigid nail enhancements,
which makes them very difficult to break. When jammed or caught,
the overly filed and thinned natural nail plate will often break
before the MMA enhancement, leading to serious nail damage.
-
MMA is extremely difficult to remove. Since it
will not dissolve in product removers, it is usually pried from the
nail plate, creating still more damage.
-
Health Departments in Australia say don't use it! They believe
that MMA, when used in cosmetic fingernail preparations, is a poisonous
and deleterious substance. This is clearly the most important reason. The
FDA in the US bases their prohibition on the large number of consumer complaints
resulting from the use of MMA nail enhancements in the late 70's and they
continue to maintain this position today.
MMA is an unsuitable ingredient. At Glam we believe
that artificial nails should not only be beautiful, they should not
damage the natural nail. They are enhancements, not replacements!
We also believe it is the responsibility of all professional nail
technicians to protect the health of their client's natural nails.
A good place to start is by using responsibly formulated products
and to learn safe and proper techniques.
How do you know if your salon or technician is using
MMA?
-
MMA has an unusually strong or strange odor which doesn't
smell like other acrylic liquids. Odor is present during application
and when filing cured product (for fill-ins or repairs).
-
Enhancements which are extremely hard and very difficult
to file even with coarse abrasives.
-
Enhancements that will not soak off in solvents designed
to remove acrylics.
-
Cloudy or milky color when cured.
Additional warning signs though less definitive:
-
Low price of fills and full sets (MMA costs 1/3 of EMA)
-
Dust or ventilation masks used (many technicians use
dust masks today who do not use MMA)
-
Unlabeled containers - technician will not show or
tell the client what brand of product is being used.
Contact us to book a treatment and enjoy our
superior customer service & the very best products along with proven
techniques and experience.
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