The Truth about Acrylics

Acrylic Nails are the most common form of nail enhancements in the salon due to their ease of use, strength and durability.

Acrylics are safe and non-damaging to the natural nail plate when applied, maintained and removed by a licensed Nail Technician using proper techniques.

You may hear people say, "Having Acrylic nails really damaged my natural nails... My natural nails were so sensitive and weak when they were removed..."

This damage can be caused by any of the following:

** A nail tech that uses a file or drill that is too coarse for the natural nail, this removes layers of the nail plate resulting in a sensitive and thin natural nail.

** A nail tech that misuses 'primer' - a bonding agent used with acrylics, this can cause sensitivity if exposed to the surrounding skin (burning sensations) and possibly allergic reactions.

**A salon that uses (prohibited) MMA liquid monomer instead of approved EMA liquid monomer when doing acrylics, this can cause several possible complications. (see EMA/MMA information page)

** When a nail tech removes the artificial product by mechanically forcing it from the natural nail using a pair of acrylic nippers, this unnecessarily removes layers of the nail plate, leaving the natural nail sensitive and thin.

-credit for some of this information goes to Leigh Ann Holz, www.yournailpro.com