(Methyl Methacrylate) is a monomer (the liquid) used in some artificial nail applications that has stirred up controversy
over the past few years in the US and is quickly becoming a problem in International markets.
As early as the 1970’s the FDA expressed that MMA monomer is “a poisonous and deleterious substance and should
not be used in liquid monomer for nail products” as it is an extremely high sensitizer and likely allergen that can cause
severe allergic reactions through minor skin exposure.

MMA is extremely hard and as such having MMA on your nails can cause very serious problems. When enough force
is applied to an MMA nail to break it, the result is usually enough force to tear the natural nail plate apart. This can lead
to permanent nail plate damage if the tearing is located around or near the matrix or lunula. It can also result in an
increased risk of serious infections due to the tearing and exposure of the nail bed or surrounding tissue.

Due to the severe hardness of MMA, the only way to file is through excessive drilling. Much of the damage associated
through the use of MMA comes from severe damage attempting to apply and maintain the indestructible enhancements
with a drill. The extra amount of drilling required to maintain these enhancements leads to situations where technicians
burn the nail bed (often leaving red “rings of fire) visible on the nail plate, over-thin the plate, and even drill through the
natural nail plate.

MMA Does not bond very well to the natural nail. The only way it can adhere to the nail is through mechanical
adhesion, which requires massive amounts of damage to the natural nail plate (through severe ‘etching’).
The upper most layers of the plate have to be removed to expose the looser knit centre of the plate. This gives the MMA
something ‘substantial’ to bond to. If the nail separates or gets broken, this ‘etching’ process is usually repeated.
Before long, the natural nail plates become thin sheets of keratin that tear easily as well as offer no protection from
MMA seeping through to the nail bed.

Around about 1974 the FDA placed MMA on its poisonous and deleterious list of substances and
warned professional nail manufacturers against the use of the substance.
MMA has been able to be used in the UK for many years, it isn’t exactly illegal, just warned against.
Warning signs of MMA use:
MMA has an unusually strong or strange odour, which doesn't smell like other acrylic liquids.
Nails are extremely hard and very difficult to file even with coarse files, drills often used.
Nails will not soak off in solvents designed to remove acrylics.
Unlabeled containers - technician will not show or tell the client what brand of product is being used

If you feel your nails have been abused by a salon using MMA, Please contact me
PLEASE CARE ABOUT YOUR NAILS …… I DO
FOR MORE INFORMATION GOOGLE “MMA NAILS”