MMA Is More Harmful to Your Nails Than You May Realize

If you, like countless numbers of other nail fanatics, get a great deal of nail inspiration from social media, then it really is probably you’ve got occur across a write-up warning you of the dangers of applying MMA, or methyl methacrylate, in your manicures.

“They are no great for your nails very long-expression,” one TikTok person stated. “It really is quite illegal,” mentioned a different. Nonetheless, it is really probable that you are going to come upon the use of MMA at your community nail salon even with the ingredient’s negative standing. But what specifically is MMA, and why is it continue to currently being used?

Experts Highlighted in This Post

Mazz Hanna is the CEO of Nailing Hollywood.

Julie Kandalec is a celebrity manicurist who’s labored with stars like Emily Blunt, Pink, Joe Jonas, and extra.

“The key explanation is that it really is economical,” Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood, tells PS. “Having said that, the expense of using MMA can far outweigh its added benefits.”

MMA can have some really serious adverse outcomes both for the wearer and the nail technician when made use of. Ahead, experts clarify precisely what it is, how you can inform if it is really in your nail solutions, and options to use as an alternative.

What Is MMA in Acrylic?

“MMA is methyl methacrylate, a chemical compound that was banned by the Food and drug administration in the 1970s for use in nail enhancements owing to its potential wellness hazards,” Hanna claims. Superstar manicurist Julie Kandalec adds, “It truly is an component typically found in acrylic liquids, identified as monomer.”

Why Is MMA Hazardous?

The ingredient is harmful for a range of causes — some of which can guide to long lasting harm. “MMA can lead to allergies, also known as make contact with dermatitis, which can be long-lasting and protect against you from staying capable to use any enhancements for numerous years,” Kandalec suggests. “It’s also as well tough, so the pure nail beneath it can not flex and move with the enhancement. For that reason, if your finger will get bumped, you can find no versatility, and your normal nail can turn into permanently damaged or drop off.”

You also need to have to be thorough not to breathe in this ingredient. “MMA vapors can irritate the respiratory program and might direct to allergic reactions or skin sensitivities in the two nail experts and purchasers,” Hanna claims.

How to Notify If MMA Is in Nail Items

1 of the least complicated ways to verify if there is MMA in your acrylic or nail provides is to look at the component checklist of your items. It must not be stated as an component in any respected acrylic nail product or service. A few additional guidelines consist of:

Alternatives to MMA Nail Merchandise

Look to advanced acrylic units as alternatives to MMA merchandise. “EMA stands for ethyl methacrylate,” Kandalec claims. “It truly is the safer liquid ingredient employed in acrylic nails.” Continue to, if you never like the thought of acrylic nails at all, AcryGel is a further option to contemplate. It is identical to a quintessential gel nail polish system but in a thicker consistency, like acrylic. It also comes in either a tube or a pot for easy dispensing.

“Gel nail extensions and builder gel methods (this kind of as BIAB) are also preferred alternate options to common acrylics,” Hanna claims. “They can offer longer lengths and an further layer of energy to the pure nail with out the harsh chemical compounds.”

It may be hard to communicate up for oneself in a nail salon (have faith in us, we have been there), but you should generally make confident that the merchandise currently being employed for your manicure are MMA-free of charge. “By legislation in most states, nail experts should really have a e book with all product component lists and Materials Security Information Sheets (or MSDS) on hand to make it possible for clientele to make educated options about the products they use,” Hanna states. This suggests that you should really be capable to access the information with zero hassle at all. If you acquire any pushback, don’t be concerned to go away. As with any magnificence provider, it truly is often far better to be protected than sorry.

Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for PS Beauty. Her spots of expertise contain movie star news, attractiveness tendencies, and product or service testimonials. She has added bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.