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What is MMA?
Methyl methacrylate, or MMA, originated in
the dental industry for making crowns and bridges. It is also used as bone
cement by orthopedic surgeons during joint replacement procedures, in some
flooring products, resins, and Plexiglas. This chemical was not designed to come
in contact with skin or nails. Did you ever had to wait for a permanent crown to
be made in a lab? The reason for this is that MMA, while in a liquid state,
should be used in a controlled laboratory environment by properly trained
technicians. Once MMA is not dangerous when it has hardened.
In the late 1960s and 70's, some nail technicians began using MMA for acrylic
nail services because it was much less expensive than the safer alternative,
ethyl methacrylate Due to numerous consumer complaints, the FDA determined that
any manufacturer who used MMA in nail products was using a 'poisonous and
deleterious substance,' and in 1974 took action against a manufacturer for doing
so.
MMA is not recommended for use in acrylic nail products because it is much
too hard, and can tear the nail off the finger easily. It is also solvent
resistant, which makes it very difficult to remove. It takes a long time to
remove MMA when soaking in acetone. Many technicians damage the nail plate when
prepping for MMA, since that product needs grooves in the nail in order to stick
well. A technician should always protect and preserve the natural nail under any
enhancement product. And, finally, MMA should not be used in nail products
because the FDA has determined that it is not safe for that purpose.
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