cause negative reactions. Nail expert artist Jessica Washick believes many individuals prefer acrylics because they provide “a quick fix to achieve temporary nail goals” (Oliver, 2016). Clients choose acrylic products to add strength and to lengthen, repair or fill in gaps. While the powder technique’s end result may be attractive nails, what are the health consequences? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dana Stern specializes in diagnosis, treatment and surgery for nails. Along with Washick, she cites the following concerns with acrylic products (Oliver, 2016): ● Allergies to chemicals, resins and formaldehydes within the product can cause nail separation, burning, pain or swelling, not to mention inhalation of significant and potentially harmful fumes if the salon is not well- ventilated. ● Acrylic nails are traditionally stiff, however nails should have flexibility. Stern adds, “If the nail hits a hard object, it can more easily separate from the nail bed. (This is) known as onycholysis.” This condition may cause nail scarring and lead to infection under the separated nail. If this occurs, it is important to avoid all potential irritants. ● Artificial nails may increase the risk of infection. Stern explains, “Bacteria that is not completely removed from a nail plate prior to the application of an enhancement can lead to pseudomonas, bacteria that produces a green pigment, hence the term ‘greenies,’ to grow in the space between the nail plate and the enhancement.” ● This bacterium is common in the environment, in both water and soil, so it is important to thoroughly clean the skin, instruments and supplies. Normally these bacteria do not cause severe complications in healthy individuals, but clients with certain chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to these infections. These conditions include: ○ Burn wounds. ○ Receiving chemotherapy. ○ Cystic fibrosis. ○ HIV or AIDS. ○ Presence of a foreign body, like a mechanical ventilator or catheter. ○ Undergoing an invasive procedure, like a surgery. (Cafasso, 2016) Stern (Oliver, 2016) suggests that adding artificial coating to strengthen nails is never healthy; to achieve healthy nails, it is important to avoid polish and acrylic products. Washick warns nail products should be free of resins and formaldehydes. She notes, “You will be able to spot them because the product will boast something along the lines of “3-free” or “5-free,” indicating they are free from toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate, and other known History In the early 1970s, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2016) received a number of complaints of injuries associated with the use of artificial nails containing methyl methacrylate monomer. Among these injuries were reports of fingernail damage and deformity, as well as contact dermatitis. Unlike methyl methacrylate monomer, ethyl methacrylate polymers were not associated with these injuries. According to the FDA (2016): On the basis of its investigations of the injuries and discussions with medical experts in the field of dermatology, FDA concluded that liquid methyl methacrylate was a poisonous and deleterious substance that should not be used in fingernail preparations.
harmful chemicals” (Oliver, 2016). These chemicals will be discussed in detail in later sections. An article in Consumer Reports from 2010 warned about the dangers of salons misleading their customers about gel, powder and acrylic products (Lowe, 2010). The report discussed the confusion among clients and the lack of standardization among the terms used by various nail care brands and facilities. Terms like “hybrid acrylic-gel” or “resin/glue and powder” manicures are not accurate descriptions and may mislead the client. Often, techniques marketed and sold as gel manicures are really acrylic; they are a mixture of liquid and powder applied to the nail. Gel application applies one liquid to the nail which is then placed under an ultraviolet lamp to harden. Adding to the confusion is the fact that chemicals found in gels, acrylics, resins, glues and powders are similar; in fact, many are the same. Finally, different brands use different terms to describe the same product and process, often to make the product appear more desirable and thus increasing the cost. Ferguson (2016) notes that there is a lot of misinformation, confusion and, in some cases, outright fraud, concerning the different acrylic and gel techniques: Acrylic is liquid and powder, gel is gel. Period. The technicians will tell clients a product is a gel/acrylic hybrid, or a “powder gel.” Neither of those exist, although it is possible to put a gel nail polish over liquid and powder acrylics. “Solar,” “crystal” or “diamond” nails are all phrases salons use to make either gel, liquid and powder, or dip systems sound fancier and more expensive. But they’re still going to be the same basic technology. There are a number of important questions to answer at this point before deciding to use acrylic products: ● What is involved in this type of artificial nail technique? ● Why has this procedure gained new acceptance when acrylic nails have lost their appeal? ● How does this procedure compare to other techniques of artificial nail application and removal? ● What do FDA and OSHA guidelines say about the use of acrylic nail powder? ● What are the reviews and recommendations from professionals in the nail care industry? ● How can nail technicians safeguard their health and the health of the client? ● What are the best techniques for safely applying and removing these nails? ● Do the risks of acrylic use outweigh the benefits? ● What are the negative health complications and how can they be avoided? The agency chose to remove products containing 100 percent liquid methyl methacrylate monomer through court proceedings, which resulted in a preliminary injunction against one firm as well as several seizure actions and voluntary recalls. Sigourney Nuñez (2016) notes that the acrylic dipping technique was popular in the early 1980s. Even when fiberglass wraps, gels and liquid-and-powder acrylic systems were the latest trend, many nail techs still opted for a dipping process. Nuñez says dipping could fix split and broken nails and was an easier way to overlay natural nails with a flexible, lightweight, soft and durable finish similar to gels.
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Book Code: NTNC0826
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