Kay’s curious: What are the dangers of using acrylic and tips?
The Left Brain responds:
The good news is, overall, it’s pretty uncommon for acrylic nails to cause significant health problems. Of course, that’s assuming that the technicians are careful and have properly sterilized their instruments. Nonetheless, there’s still cause for concern. From Dermatology Times, here are four dangers of acrylic nails:
1. Nasty nail abuse
Mistreating your artificial nails can have serious consequences. It’s particularly bad to make the mistake of using your nails as a tool. According to Zoe Draelos, M.D., a High Point, N.C., dermatologist “Some of those nail sculptures are so rigid that a lot of people will use them, for instance, to clean things or as some type of screwdriver. The problem, says Dr Draelos, is that “the bond between the artificial nail and the real nail is stronger than the bond between the real nail and the nail bed, so it rips the nail from the nail bed, and that creates a space for which infection can occur.”
2. Chemical calamity
Chemical allergens used in acrylic nails and nail polishes can also cause problems. The top offenders: formaldehyde (which is used to crosslink polymers), methyl methacrylate (the resin that make up the bulk of the nail); and the tiny metal balls in the bottom of your bottle of nail polish. (That’s because the balls can contain traces of nickel, a known allergen.
3. Cursed UV cure
Gel-sculptured nails (the kind that requires curing with a UV light) can be problematic for people who are on photosensitizing medications. Dr. Draelos warns that “if a customer is taking something like tetracycline, which can sensitize them to light, there could potentially be a phototoxic reaction in the nail bed if the sculptured nails are cured under a bright light.”
4. Perilous polish removal
Nail polish removers can be damaging to (real and artificial!) because of their drying effect. Once the nail is dried out it can easily peel and crack. Dr. Draelos recommends using nail polish remover only every other week – which means you should do a good job of applying polish so it lasts.
Source: Dermatology Times
What do you think? Are fake nails worth tempting fate? Leave a comment and share your worst nail nightmare.
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Amber,
You need to stop going to places like that. Trust me, ALL those other womens’ nails are hurting just like yours. Some can take the pain more and others just think it is supposed to hurt.
Getting your nails done should be a spa experience. If your nails hurt, then you need to RUN out of that shop.
buenos dias,
Lynnette
Lynnette
I went to a reputable salon, I had gel and acrylic nails both with the same effect, no dremel, no slop all over my fingers, done by reputable techs in reputable salons, no MMA in sight … Do you know all the chemicals in fake nails? Do you know what each chemical is and what the side effects are?
I tried forever to get a list but was stymied at each attempt.
It’s not difficult to understand that these are not healthy product regardless of who or where you go. Once you develop an allergy to acrylics, and every product from gels to silk wraps to nail hardeners has them, you are allergic for life. It’s a great disservice to chalk up every bad reaction to a chop shop. There is a bevy of information stating the obvious dangers, but mostly, it’s common sense. Chemical such as these are dangerous. More and more women are suffering because of them and it will continue. I would suggest that doctors and the media have no ulterior motive other than the safety of their patients and/or readership. There is no question of honesty. They have done the research and have seen the results. I would question your motivation first, seeing as your career is beholden to these products.
Other Fake Nail websites state the dangers. Perhaps you should do the research and tell women the truth. If I visited your shop and I would still suffer from the same side effects. Regardless of the care and attention I would no doubt receive.
Fake nails, while pretty, are dangerous and allergies, once diagnosed, are for life.
Well, my nails are a mess. I went to a reputable salon and she applied the acrylic nails – have been doing this for several years. About a month ago after a fill, my cuticles and around my nails became red, infamed, and bled. A couple of days later I had infection around both thumb nails. It itched and was very, very painful. I figured she had gotten something on them she shouldn’t have. When I went back last week for a fill, they were rough with dried skin all around them. I told her what had happened and she said, “Oh, I’ll just try this other product.” Well by that evening I could tell that I was going to have a major problem. Then next night I soaked and filed until I got them off. One week later they are still sore, dry, swollen a little, red, and UGLY. I have kept vitamin e on them every day, but I will NEVER get nails on again. She works for a very good friend of mine who also is my hair stylist – so I don’t want to cause my friend a problem. But I did show my friend my nails and she said she would take care of it with the technician. But I can’t seem to get my nails well. Any suggestions on how to soothe them?
Hi Lynnette:
I’m so glad I found your site. I stopped using acrylic nails about 13 months ago after much pain and blisters. I always thought I was just a sensitive person. I never knew they were using illegal products. Your description of chop shops sounds just like the place I frequented. I’m so glad you’re educating people.
Since I moved to the desert 5 months ago, the skin around my fingernails has become very, very dry. Cuticle oils don’t help. I’ve noticed in the past that when I have acrylic nails, my cuticles do well, when I don’t have them, my cuticles suffer.
Because my nails are so thin (just like my hair LOL), it’s hard to keep them looking nice without the acrylics. I’ve looked everywhere for something to help them. I never before heard of using resins as a topcoat for strength.
I’m considering go back to the acrylics (or resins) if I can find a good technician in Tucson, AZ. Do you know of anyone here?
Thanks,
Carol
Hi Lynnette:
I am growing out my acrylics so it is easier to play my cello /seasonal music & all coming up.
Well whenever I asked for shorter nails the tech did not understand me I meant short enough to play the cello with.
And my nails grow pretty fast and acrylics take time to file down. Once I cut them with nail trimmers I was in such a hurry.
Anyways I had new ones put on & saw the state of my nails underneath this September, so now my nails are half new nail- never been covered, and half the last acryllic. I filed it flatter but two nails part chipped off. So I filled it with nail polish after filing.
Sally Hansen’s 10 day nail polish 17 infinite natural & 01 honey make them less noticable. 01 clear keeps the color on.
I have my nails as short as my fingertip.
I have lines in many of fingernails- length ways, groves I think from asthma medicine /hazardous air quality in this air basin. That is what I liked about acrylics they covered smooth. I want to use some nail polish or product to keep the lines from showing. My favorite color is nude beige shimmer and gold (like metalic) deep bronzed gold. It really shows groves.
What do I do to have no groves with my natural nails ?? cold season is here I am not stopping inhaling asthma medicine anytime soon LOL so that remedy to the nail lines is out of the question.
Thanks- Ann
HELP My pinky finger got stuck in the door and my real nail and my acrylic nail was pulled away from my finger. They are still attached but only by a little bit. I have kept a bandaid on it and have soaked it in hydrogen peroxide. What else can i do?
Acrylic nails look very nice. But i never dare to wear them, since i am afraid of allergic reaction. Though i know many people who have been wearing them for years, facing no problems.
Hey I have a question, when I have my nail done, the next day they are swollen, red, and itch so bad I almost can not stand it. Does any one know what is wrong with them and what to do besides not having them done
Lynette,
I recently bought some products off a website to try doing my own acrylic nails, and my number one worry is the possibility of MMA in the monomer I am using. My products are shipped from Hong Kong (I live in Canada), and while the monomer does smell (as I expected it to), there is no label on the bottle to list the ingredients or warnings, or even directions… nothing but the name of it, really.
[http://mellowstuff.com/images/acrylic-liquid-m01.jpg] That’s an image of what the bottle looks like, with the lilac-tinted monomer within. I’m just a bit concerned about the possibility of MMA… I’m not a nail tech, just trying this out as a hobby, to do those really pretty 3D nails like the Japanese girls have…
Everyone says the number one alerts of MMA monomer are the smell, the strength of the nails, and how difficult they are to remove… My product has a smell, and I work on a keyboard all day both at home and at work, and I’ve not had a problem yet (that is, no breaks, no trauma or anything to my natural nails) and I have not experienced any physical reaction to the product, other than disliking the smell (I just crack open the nearest window and I’m fine.)
But… Silly me, in my exuberance to try making my first set of nails, I forgot about primer, and they pretty much popped off on their own within a few days (no pain, no damage to my natural nail.. I figured they just didn’t stick without a primer, haha) So I tried a new set with primer and it’s been a whole weekend with zero appearance of the nail trying to come off. The primer I use is labeled “no-burn acrylic primer” but I haven’t heard of any problems with MMA being in a primer…
Thanks in advance for your advice,
Jali
Lynnette,
I’d like to find a reputable salon or tech in zip code 84103 or 84123. Are you able to help? Thanks!
Oops, the zip code should be 84120 [West Valley, Utah] or 84123 [Murray, Utah].
hi i am 14 years old and i bite my nails, so my mom is taking me to get acrylics, so that they can grow. but ever since i read this im scared to death of getting them.
now i dont know what to do.
I developed an allergy to acrylic but I still wear acrylic nails. I just wash my hands really well after getting my nails done and then get a paraffin dip or two. I also take Zyrtec and own a paraffin bath. If the reaction gets really bad I use Caladryl with hydrocortisone cream over it. It clears it up very well.
Also, the bond between the fake nail and real nail is NOT stronger than the real nail and the nail bed. I’m in cosmo school and I know that isn’t true. Also my acrylic nails would never pop off if that were true.
im thinking about getting acrylics for a dance coming up soon. after reading some of the comments posted i became kind of… oh i dont know.. scared?? some of the effects described sounded like something i didnt want to get myself into. i want to know how to know if the nail tech. is using MMA or EMA because if i know for sure that they use EMA i’ll do it. i just dont want to ruin my nails!!
please help! the dance is in 2 weeks!
I’ve been getting my nails done for over 10 years…as long as you keep them clean you shouldn’t have a problem. I get a fill every 2 weeks & a full set every 2-3 months. I normally take them off to let them breath in between.
I need to know some reputable salons in Little Rock, AR that don’t use MMA and know what they’re doing. My place does pretty solar nails but I’ve got quite a few of those “rings of fire.” And they did use a power drill to prep the nail for my first set. I don’t know if they use MMA or not.
Nina…if the salon has an odor and all the techs are wearing masks, you can pretty well figure they are using MMA. MMA destroyed my nails and nail beds and finally after 9 long months I finally found a salon where there is NO ODOR and no one wears a mesk. The owner pays $500/gallon for the liquid. She took the time to explain (in english) every step as she did my brand new sets of gels (without tips). They look beautiful.
Just a quick comment since I read somebody’s post regarding a bacterial infection. She said the “term is pseudomonas”. Pseudomonas is not the term for a bacterial infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the actual organism, not a term for an infection.
Lynnette,
I have been researching acrylics and gel nails for two days. I had acrylics off and on since 97. A friend of mine who is a professional nail technician taught me how to do them myself and I did a great job but when time became a restraint…I resulted to Nail Shops. A lot of these shops were very clean ( just opened) but they are long gone and now there are the Asian Nail shops everywhere. I am uncertain if these places are called Chop Shops????
I am new to my area and went back to my home state and city this week. I got my nails done. after reading about gel nails from various sites I knew what to expect… I called various places and asked about gel nails and and asked if it were ” Liquid” they said yes or No…went to one shop and after she applied the tips, she was placed powder on my nail. I stopped her and said this is not gel. Gel is liquid, she called her boss and her boss said she do good job for you, it is gel, and it will be okay. She had a bottle like nail polish…I said No. If this is your gel nails please do not use it.
I did let her put acrylics on my nails without the gel. My nails hurt from the drill and I asked her not to use it. 100% Asians in my area use the drills.
Also…
I have been to ” American” owned businesses… They used real nail enhancement supplies but they were so cheap that my nails either lifted or feel off.
What is a girl supposed to do?? Not have any nail enhancements????
It states on my nail studio flyer they don’t use MMA. However, he does use the liquid and powder with a large brush. My nails look great but I’m worried… He does use electric files but this has never ever hurt and he seems to use a very slow speed on this. Does the nail always have to be filed before putting the acryli on – he told me it isn’t the acrylic which harms your nails its the fact he has to file and take the shine off that does the harm – is this true. When my daughter had gel nails put on he still used powder when applying – I’ve always had gel before and it came out of a pot as ready made. I love my nails and everyone comments on how good they look but I’m just bit concerned after reading all of this.
I have been wearing acrylic nails now for 13 years. I believe the success of this goes to my technican that has done my nails during this time. She never uses a drill on my real nails when I change to a new set. She adheres the set properly as well as her fill-ins. I have been blessed my never having a fungus or infection of any kind. Do your research on your Tech and tell them your desires. Build a working relationship with her/him and I know you will have the same success.
I just got acrylic – white top nails done. It’s been rushed because it was near closing hours and the shapes are asymmetrical… and they don’t look natural… i was rather hoping for nails that looked real. How do i know how skilled a tech is?
Damage to the nails is NOT from the electric file it is from an UNTRAINED tech who misuses and abuses them.
I use an electric file–not a dremel– on all my clients. They have NO damage to the nails.
Yes you need to prep the nails but there is NO need to shred them.
If your tech is using a liquid and powder and telling you you have gel on, RUN out of that place. Gel is NOT a liquid and powder. It is GEL.
If you had a tech rush putting your nails on go back and tell them you want them even.
I do not like to do asymmetrical nails, but I have begged clients to sit still, loosen up and sit straight, but if they do not do the above, they will wind up with uneven smile lines.
Yours sounds like it was rushed.
Skill level? You do not know. You take a chance. And, just because a tech has done nails for YEARS does NOT give them the skill. I see FUGLY nails all the time from “seasoned” techs.
Have to run, but please feel free to ask anything.
Buenos dias,
Lynnette
I have been going to the same place for years to have my nails done. Yesterday after the tec put the acrlic on my nails. I felt like my nails caught on fire! They burned under my nail. I had to blow on them. The light made it worse. What on earth happened? I asked her if she changed her product. She said no your skin just so thin. In two weeks my skin got thin? Anybody have a clue to this?
I’m just wondering, because i’m only a teen and i’ve bought fake nails from a store recently, is it safe to wear them like once?
x.
I had never been in a nail salon until three days ago when I decided to try acrylic nails (my natural nails are horrible and gross). After I got home from the salon I noticed that my hands and fingers were very sore. I figured it was from all the manipulating, grinding and sanding and that it would take a couple of days to get over the soreness. This morning, I woke up with my hands throbbing with pain, along with all of my other joints (knees, wrists, shoulders, feet). I also had a terrible headache, started last night. Since I usually get a headache whenever I am running a fever, I took my temperature when I got out of bed this morning and it was 100 (which is high for me… I usually have a low normal tip under 98). Right now I feel awful and I hurt all over. All of my joints are throbbing and I’m still running a low-grade fever. I don’t have any other symptoms (no cough, sore throat, congestion).
I was just wondering if this could be some kind of reaction to the acrylic nails. Could the chemicals cause you to run a fever and have achy joints?
I’m new at this, so please forgive me for the ignorance. My nails are now so pretty and I hate to have them removed, but I don’t like being this sick.
thanks
Sherry,
There is NO way you should be feeling like that. I would like to know what type of place you went, but from your description, it sounds like a chop shop. YES, you could be reacting to one of many things.
*MMA– which I am sure you have on your nails
*NO manipulation, shredding and grinding should EVER be done to your nails. This is NOT a requirement to have beautiful nails. Getting your nails done should be PAIN FREE.
*I can guarantee that every file and implement that was used on you was used on every other person in that shop for weeks. They do not wash and sanitize their files and implements. Sooooo, this leaves EVERY SINGLE PERSON who gets their nails done open to get whatever infection a previous customer may have.
Do you know that the person before you was infection free? Did they have hepatitis?
I would like to see what your nails look like. Can you take a photo and send it to me?
You should see a doctor and explain to him/her what you experienced. Fever means infection.
You need to find a reputable SALON. You will pay more, but you will hopefully have a much better experience.
Do NOT let them remove the nails. They rip and tear them off. Let them grow out.
If you want to see pretty nails, you need to find some techs on Facebook and look at their nails.
Check out my pages:
http://www.facebook.com/nailtech
buenos dias,
Lynnette
Hi Lynnette
You sound like such a great nail tech I wish you were closer to me! (Central Wisconsin).
Ok so I did go to the chop shop, we went on a whim and I had not researched before what to look or ask for.
After reading these posts and others on the web I will not go back.
But my question is what to do now. First what do I ask to make sure my next salon is reputable? They can make it look nice on the surface and be friendly and all but there must be ways to look past this and see what products and procedures are really being used.
Can you just ask if they use EMA rather than MMA?
MMA sounds so horrible will it hurt to leave it on while it grows out or would it be better to have them taken off?
If you know of any reputable places in the Central Wisconsin area I’d love to hear about them. Best wishes and thanks
Nancy
I have used acrylic nails for 4 years straight. I take very good care of them and i’ve never had a problem. After reading website after website. I still do not find any danger risk from stopping me in having my acrylic nails. If anyone knows any different i’d like to hear your opinion. I hear alot of negative comments on possible future nail complications but no real evidence of an actual case.
hello,
i work in a office as a secretary and i do alot of typin and routing through boxes to find equipment,
so which nails would be best?
they have to be outgoing and not have the risk of coming off.
write back soon x
i just removed my fake nails two months ago and my nails ARE STILL a mess. the damage cause my the fakes is worse than my nails EVER looked! they peel, break and HURT all the time it will takr 6 mo to a year to get them normal again. the fakes are NOT forever and at some point you will have to remove them, had i known the damage the fake nails cause i would have NEVER put them on!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wore acrylic nails for several years. I liked them because they look really nice, and It’s easier to do chores without worrying about using gloves. In addition, worrying about chipping and or peeling was no longer a bother. However, after taking them off, my nails became very fragile. Any other application of a new set or a fill in with acrylic would be painful and would actually burn. Once when I removed my acrylics, I ended up with a hole in my pinky finger nail…. I’m serious, there was a small circle of natural nail missing. I had to wait for my natural nail to grow out. The damage does eventually grow out but it takes a while. With regular wear of acrylic nails, after removal, nails may take several years before your natural nails return to full average strength. Now, I’ve learned to resist the plastic but I see other women with them and at times makes me want to get a set, but then I think about the time, money, and instances of pain, and the condition of my natural nails after wearing acrylic nails, that makes me not want to get fake nails. For me personally, what it takes to get a “fill-in” is what it takes for my gas to last a week. If you’re going to get acrylic nails, definately do your research and be prepared to accept the time and care that it takes to restore your natural nails once the acrylic is off.
I had acrylics on and i took them off and my real nails are green in spots, what is this from? What can i do for it?
acrylics and other fake nails can be painful if your nail bed is especially curved or flat, since the tips are only made to average curvature. this is the pain angie felt that went away overnight as her nails adjusted to the “pull.” i’m currently experiencing this and it’s a little-known problem since most people fall within the normal range for nail shape. it’s not the pain of a chemical burn or allergy, i know this from experience. this is what some of you may be experiencing, too.
I just put on some airbrush nails I bought at Claire’s Boutique and I’m wondering what is the safest way to remove them? I’ve read to use acetone but I do not want burns.
I had p&w’s done today…..my fingers are now itchy and a little numb. This happened two months ago when I had them done. I have had arcrylics for about 13 years. Why am I now having this problem? My fingertips will swell and split…and then peel….why does this happen?
hi, do you know a reputable nail salon in the 31410 area code…thanks
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