Never too safe!
Artificial Nails Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) DANGER!A Channel 2 News broadcast alerted the public to the dangerous chemical methyl methacrylate that is used by many of the discount nail salons during the application of artificial nails. A lady showed that her nails were severely damaged from having artificial nails done at a discount salon that used the methyl methacrylate product. According to this report many of the discount salon owners refuse to stop using the dangerous monomer product because it costs less. The discount salon owners that continue to use the poisonous acrylic product have a blatant disregard for the health and safety of the client's natural nails.
A report done by Douglas Schoon, M.S. Director of Research & Development, Creative Nail Design, Inc. Vista, CA reveals important information concerning the dangers of methyl methacrylate use in artificial nail application.
Many people mistakenly believe that the "stronger" the enhancement, the better the product. This is one of the myths that drives the popularity of the dangerous methyl methacrylate artificial nails. Methyl methacrylate artificial nails are stronger, but this is highly undesirable.
The results of the research efforts of Douglas Schoon, M.S. gives a detailed explanation for why methyl methacrylate artificial nails are so often related to nail plate damage. Methyl methacrylate monomer (liquid) creates artificial nails that are overly tough and strong. When the natural nail plate is filed with the electric drill and is excessively thinned before the methyl methacrylate artificial nail is applied, it is easy to see how this increases the potential for nail damage when an overly strong and tough coating is applied to the weakened nail plate.
Methyl methacrylate based artificial nails are nearly insoluble in acetone and other artificial nail product solvents. When nail technicians are required to remove a methyl methacrylate artificial nail, their only speedy option is to abrade the product from the nail with a very coarse electric drill bit abrasive. If the product has lost adhesion and lifted in places, the discount salon nail technicians pry the product from the nail plate with nippers. The prying off of the product causes even further damage to the natural nail plate. Both the excessive drill use and the prying off practices cause extreme nail plate damage.
Observations from the study show that methyl methacrylate based products cause a great amount of nail damage for clients who wear them. The research efforts determined the following key properties which are the main factors in creating these problems.
First, the adhesion of methyl methcrylate nail products is relatively poor, forcing the nail technician to overly abrade the nail, resulting in excessive thinning and weakening of the natural nail plate. Physical abrasion is the least desirable method for preparing the natural nail because it causes unnecessary damage to the nail plate and leads to client injury. However, it is the only method that works when methyl methacrylate artificial nails are applied.
Second, the strength, toughness and yield energy for methyl methacrylate artificial nail products are considerably higher than ethyl methacrylate artificial nail products. The physical properties of methyl methacrylate artificial nails exceed those of the natural nail. This contributes to excessive damage to client's nails. When combined with the need to overly abrade (thin) the nail plate before application, client's nails are put at even greater risk of damage and injury.
Third, the solubility of artificial nails created with methyl methacrylate nail products is extremely low, forcing nail technicians to physically abrade or forcibly pry off the product from the natural nail plate. Solubility studies show that artificial nails created with methyl methacrylate monomer are extremely difficult to remove, even for skilled professional manicurists and nail technicians. Ethyl methacrylate based artificial nails can be quickly and safely removed in an acetone soak, usually in 30 minutes. But methyl methacrylate based artificial nails are nearly insoluble in acetone and other useful solvents. When overly strong/tough artificial nails are placed on top of overly abraded, thin, weak or damaged nail plates the potential for client injury dramatically increases.
It is our opinion, based on this research and many years of observation, that methyl methacrylate nail products cause many injuries/problems created for clients and nail technicians. Furthermore, these injuries/problems are a direct result of the combined effects of low adhesion, excessive strength and toughness and extreme difficulty in removal.
Each of these challenges are met and eliminated by the use of ethyl methacrylate monomer. These systems provide sufficient adhesion and will break upon accidental impact without sacrificing the natural nail plate. Also, they are very easily removed without damaging the natural nail plate.
Therefore, it is our considered opinion that methyl methacrylate monomer is not a suitable ingredient for artificial nail products. But, ethyl methacrylate is clearly a superior monomer in all aspects.
Three simple things to watch for whether a monomer liquid contains MMA are: 1. An unusually strong or strange odor. 2. Artificial nails are extremely hard and very difficult to file, even with coarse abrasives. 3. Artificial nails that will not soak off easily in solvents designed to remove acrylics. The third is the most important indicator. Ask your discount salon nail technician if they are using the dangerous methyl methacrylate artificial nail monomer (liquid). If you have the dangerous methyl methacrylate artificial nails, have them removed as soon as possible in order to determine how severe the damage is to your natural nails. Do not pry, pull or pick the product off your nails, instead have it soaked off in acetone even if it takes as long as one hour. Prying, pulling or picking will take off the top layer of your natural nails causing even more damage.
Making the transition from acrylic to natural nails can be a long process, but with patience and commitment, you can make the change. The first step is have your acrylic soaked off by a professional and have a hot oil treatment or a spa manicure using grape-seed oil wax dips along with the nail fluoride strengthener treatments to help begin the healing process. Have your natural nails cut down very short, because they will be very weak, peeling, brittle, and fragile after removal. You should have your manicurist place you on a home care recovery program using a nail strengthener, cuticle oil and other nail products for home use. You should commit to having a manicure every week for the first six weeks, until your manicurist lets you know that it is okay to have a manicure every two weeks.
The cycle of growth is different for everyone. You may need to experiment with different recovery products to see what works well for you. What works for one person may not work for others. If you have been wearing the dangerous artificial nails for many years without a "rest" or "recovery" period for your natural nails then the damage to your nails could be very severe. Recovery can take from five to twelve months or even years depending on the severity of the damage. If you continue to have problems that regular manicures do not help then you may need to see a dermatologist or medical doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/h/m/hmcurtis/nyw/MMA.htm
A report done by Douglas Schoon, M.S. Director of Research & Development, Creative Nail Design, Inc. Vista, CA reveals important information concerning the dangers of methyl methacrylate use in artificial nail application.
Many people mistakenly believe that the "stronger" the enhancement, the better the product. This is one of the myths that drives the popularity of the dangerous methyl methacrylate artificial nails. Methyl methacrylate artificial nails are stronger, but this is highly undesirable.
The results of the research efforts of Douglas Schoon, M.S. gives a detailed explanation for why methyl methacrylate artificial nails are so often related to nail plate damage. Methyl methacrylate monomer (liquid) creates artificial nails that are overly tough and strong. When the natural nail plate is filed with the electric drill and is excessively thinned before the methyl methacrylate artificial nail is applied, it is easy to see how this increases the potential for nail damage when an overly strong and tough coating is applied to the weakened nail plate.
Methyl methacrylate based artificial nails are nearly insoluble in acetone and other artificial nail product solvents. When nail technicians are required to remove a methyl methacrylate artificial nail, their only speedy option is to abrade the product from the nail with a very coarse electric drill bit abrasive. If the product has lost adhesion and lifted in places, the discount salon nail technicians pry the product from the nail plate with nippers. The prying off of the product causes even further damage to the natural nail plate. Both the excessive drill use and the prying off practices cause extreme nail plate damage.
Observations from the study show that methyl methacrylate based products cause a great amount of nail damage for clients who wear them. The research efforts determined the following key properties which are the main factors in creating these problems.
First, the adhesion of methyl methcrylate nail products is relatively poor, forcing the nail technician to overly abrade the nail, resulting in excessive thinning and weakening of the natural nail plate. Physical abrasion is the least desirable method for preparing the natural nail because it causes unnecessary damage to the nail plate and leads to client injury. However, it is the only method that works when methyl methacrylate artificial nails are applied.
Second, the strength, toughness and yield energy for methyl methacrylate artificial nail products are considerably higher than ethyl methacrylate artificial nail products. The physical properties of methyl methacrylate artificial nails exceed those of the natural nail. This contributes to excessive damage to client's nails. When combined with the need to overly abrade (thin) the nail plate before application, client's nails are put at even greater risk of damage and injury.
Third, the solubility of artificial nails created with methyl methacrylate nail products is extremely low, forcing nail technicians to physically abrade or forcibly pry off the product from the natural nail plate. Solubility studies show that artificial nails created with methyl methacrylate monomer are extremely difficult to remove, even for skilled professional manicurists and nail technicians. Ethyl methacrylate based artificial nails can be quickly and safely removed in an acetone soak, usually in 30 minutes. But methyl methacrylate based artificial nails are nearly insoluble in acetone and other useful solvents. When overly strong/tough artificial nails are placed on top of overly abraded, thin, weak or damaged nail plates the potential for client injury dramatically increases.
It is our opinion, based on this research and many years of observation, that methyl methacrylate nail products cause many injuries/problems created for clients and nail technicians. Furthermore, these injuries/problems are a direct result of the combined effects of low adhesion, excessive strength and toughness and extreme difficulty in removal.
Each of these challenges are met and eliminated by the use of ethyl methacrylate monomer. These systems provide sufficient adhesion and will break upon accidental impact without sacrificing the natural nail plate. Also, they are very easily removed without damaging the natural nail plate.
Therefore, it is our considered opinion that methyl methacrylate monomer is not a suitable ingredient for artificial nail products. But, ethyl methacrylate is clearly a superior monomer in all aspects.
Three simple things to watch for whether a monomer liquid contains MMA are: 1. An unusually strong or strange odor. 2. Artificial nails are extremely hard and very difficult to file, even with coarse abrasives. 3. Artificial nails that will not soak off easily in solvents designed to remove acrylics. The third is the most important indicator. Ask your discount salon nail technician if they are using the dangerous methyl methacrylate artificial nail monomer (liquid). If you have the dangerous methyl methacrylate artificial nails, have them removed as soon as possible in order to determine how severe the damage is to your natural nails. Do not pry, pull or pick the product off your nails, instead have it soaked off in acetone even if it takes as long as one hour. Prying, pulling or picking will take off the top layer of your natural nails causing even more damage.
Making the transition from acrylic to natural nails can be a long process, but with patience and commitment, you can make the change. The first step is have your acrylic soaked off by a professional and have a hot oil treatment or a spa manicure using grape-seed oil wax dips along with the nail fluoride strengthener treatments to help begin the healing process. Have your natural nails cut down very short, because they will be very weak, peeling, brittle, and fragile after removal. You should have your manicurist place you on a home care recovery program using a nail strengthener, cuticle oil and other nail products for home use. You should commit to having a manicure every week for the first six weeks, until your manicurist lets you know that it is okay to have a manicure every two weeks.
The cycle of growth is different for everyone. You may need to experiment with different recovery products to see what works well for you. What works for one person may not work for others. If you have been wearing the dangerous artificial nails for many years without a "rest" or "recovery" period for your natural nails then the damage to your nails could be very severe. Recovery can take from five to twelve months or even years depending on the severity of the damage. If you continue to have problems that regular manicures do not help then you may need to see a dermatologist or medical doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/h/m/hmcurtis/nyw/MMA.htm
Fungus among us!
Nail Fungus Infections And Their TreatmentIf you’re in the market for a nail fungus treatment, it is important that you consider the range of options you have before you make your decision.
There are many different products on the market and it can be hard to determine which is right for you. Nail fungus infections are difficult to treat and some advertised treatments are ineffective and make false claims. When deciding on a treatment approach it is important to understand whether it addresses the root cause of the infection or only masks its symptoms over the short term.
Toenail fungus treatment in particular requires several months of treatment. Toenails are slower growing than fingernails, only growing by around 1mm per year. The big toe is the nail that is most often affected with fungus. The disorder is very unlikely to clear up on its own without treatment and is progressive in nature. Eventually it may cause the complete loss of the nail.
Nail fungus infection (or Onychomycosis) is caused by a dermatophyte fungus that feeds on keratin protein in the skin and nails. Prevalence rates are very high with an estimated 35 million people in the US affected. Your treatment choices range between oral systemic medications, topical antifungal nail lacquers, surgical removal, laser treatment, home remedies and homeopathic choices. Lifestyle adjustments may also be needed. Some fungal nail treatments are designed to remove the fungus directly while others work to boost your immune system and encourage overall health.
Bear in mind that while the infection may appear dormant for periods of time, for example in the summer months where increased light and exposure can slow the progression of the fungus across the nail, the fungus will generally start growing again once conditions allow. In all cases the earlier the treatment is started the more effective it will be. In particular it is advisable to address the disorder before the fungus has spread to the “lanula” – the white half moon section of nail near the cuticle.Different forms of OnychomycosisThere are three distinct manifestations of the disease. (Four, if you include a rare nail disorder caused by the Candida yeast species which, to confuse matters further, is also a type of fungus. For more information we have a whole section of this website dedicated to Candida, how to get rid of a yeast infection and options for yeast infection treatment).
By far the most common fungal nail infection is Distal Lateral Subungal Onychomycosis, where the fungus invades from the distal edge of the nail (the tip) and spreads laterally down the side of the nail in the direction of the cuticle. The fungus resides in a subungal position between the nail plate and the nail bed.
As the fungus spreads so too does the yellowish coloration. The nail typically starts to lose texture and become brittle. Small particles of debris can collect under the nail as it distorts and begins to detach from the nail bed. See more on nail fungus symptoms.
The two other forms of the disease are known as Proximal Subungal Onychomycosis and White Superficial Onychomycosis. The former is also subungal in character but the spread of the fungus is from the proximal fold (near the cuticle) towards the nail tip. The latter is more superficial and is characterized by the formation of white opaque looking spots on the nail surface. The complete destruction of the nail is less common with this form of the disease. See more information on the different forms of Onychomycosis.
There are many different products on the market and it can be hard to determine which is right for you. Nail fungus infections are difficult to treat and some advertised treatments are ineffective and make false claims. When deciding on a treatment approach it is important to understand whether it addresses the root cause of the infection or only masks its symptoms over the short term.
Toenail fungus treatment in particular requires several months of treatment. Toenails are slower growing than fingernails, only growing by around 1mm per year. The big toe is the nail that is most often affected with fungus. The disorder is very unlikely to clear up on its own without treatment and is progressive in nature. Eventually it may cause the complete loss of the nail.
Nail fungus infection (or Onychomycosis) is caused by a dermatophyte fungus that feeds on keratin protein in the skin and nails. Prevalence rates are very high with an estimated 35 million people in the US affected. Your treatment choices range between oral systemic medications, topical antifungal nail lacquers, surgical removal, laser treatment, home remedies and homeopathic choices. Lifestyle adjustments may also be needed. Some fungal nail treatments are designed to remove the fungus directly while others work to boost your immune system and encourage overall health.
Bear in mind that while the infection may appear dormant for periods of time, for example in the summer months where increased light and exposure can slow the progression of the fungus across the nail, the fungus will generally start growing again once conditions allow. In all cases the earlier the treatment is started the more effective it will be. In particular it is advisable to address the disorder before the fungus has spread to the “lanula” – the white half moon section of nail near the cuticle.Different forms of OnychomycosisThere are three distinct manifestations of the disease. (Four, if you include a rare nail disorder caused by the Candida yeast species which, to confuse matters further, is also a type of fungus. For more information we have a whole section of this website dedicated to Candida, how to get rid of a yeast infection and options for yeast infection treatment).
By far the most common fungal nail infection is Distal Lateral Subungal Onychomycosis, where the fungus invades from the distal edge of the nail (the tip) and spreads laterally down the side of the nail in the direction of the cuticle. The fungus resides in a subungal position between the nail plate and the nail bed.
As the fungus spreads so too does the yellowish coloration. The nail typically starts to lose texture and become brittle. Small particles of debris can collect under the nail as it distorts and begins to detach from the nail bed. See more on nail fungus symptoms.
The two other forms of the disease are known as Proximal Subungal Onychomycosis and White Superficial Onychomycosis. The former is also subungal in character but the spread of the fungus is from the proximal fold (near the cuticle) towards the nail tip. The latter is more superficial and is characterized by the formation of white opaque looking spots on the nail surface. The complete destruction of the nail is less common with this form of the disease. See more information on the different forms of Onychomycosis.
How do you know your safe!
The best thing to do is watch! Make sure that you see implements sanitized, not being used from one client to the next. The next thing is NEVER put your foot in a whirlpool foot spa! You have no idea how they have or have not been cleaned. The jets inside the foot bath hold all kinds of scum and germs. Look for a spa that has disposable liners for the foot bath. And of course ASK! Don't be afraid to ask how they clean and what they clean with, after all it could mean your life.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Kimberly Kay Jackson loved getting pedicures each month, especially with bright pink nail polish, although as a paraplegic she couldn’t feel the massages and bubbling water on her feet. read more here.... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12866053/ns/health-womens_health/t/family-sues-salon-over-death-after-pedicure/
FORT WORTH, Texas — Kimberly Kay Jackson loved getting pedicures each month, especially with bright pink nail polish, although as a paraplegic she couldn’t feel the massages and bubbling water on her feet. read more here.... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12866053/ns/health-womens_health/t/family-sues-salon-over-death-after-pedicure/