WHAT IS MMA?
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is an ingredient that was commonly used in early “acrylic” nail services. In the early 1970's, the FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) received numerous complaints of personal injuries associated with the use of acrylic monomer formulated with MMA. The health risks include respiratory problems: eye, nose & throat irritations, Permanent Nail Deformities and Severe Allergic Reactions.
All of the professional liquids nowadays that are available through professional sources contain EMA- Ethyl Methacrylate, which is FREE of the hazards associated with MMA. The nail industry has had considerable experience with EMA, which has been declared safe for use by trained nail technicians by the prestigious Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board.
How do you know if your salon or technician is using MMA?
- MMA has an unusually strong or strange odor which doesn't smell like other acrylic liquids. Odor is present during application and when filing cured product (for fill-ins or repairs).
- Enhancements which are extremely hard and very difficult to file even with coarse abrasives.
- Enhancements that will not soak off in solvents designed to remove acrylics.
- Cloudy or milky color when cured.
- Low cost (MMA cost 1/3 of EMA)
- Unlabeled containers - technician will not show or tell the client what brand of product is being used.
We recommend against nail technicians using liquid monomers which are formulated with MMA and believe that the significant danger to both nail technicians and clients makes the use of MMA both unwise and unethical. In our opinion, the health risks and public relations problems created by the illegal use of MMA seriously threaten the entire professional nail industry.
