Acrylic nails could be a breeding ground for bacteria

ACRYLIC nails may be stylish and look great on your hands, but they may cause serious health problems for the wearer and the technician applying them if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Skin specialist Dr Neil Persadsingh said among the dangers, the chemicals used to apply acrylic nails are unhealthy and contain resin and formaldehyde which may cause cancer.

Just two weeks ago the New York Times released a series of articles that pointed to the dangers nail salon workers faced from inhaling the chemicals in nail and beauty products — cancer, miscarriages and lung disease. But also affected is the customer, whose long exposure to the chemicals, Dr Persadsingh said, can lead to loss of the nails by destroying the nail matrix.

Below Dr Persadsingh explains some of the other dangers of improperly using acrylic.

1. Nail breakage

He said that the bond between the natural nail and the bonded nail is much stronger than that between the natural nail and the nail bed, which makes it easy for the nails to break. “It is easy to tear off your nail, tear the nail bed, and create a space,” he said.

2. A breeding ground for bacteria

“The space between the acrylic nail and the natural nail is a moist place that will help bacteria and fungus to grow, which damages the nail if left untreated,” he said.

3. Dry and brittle nails

Dr Persadsingh said acrylic can cause the drying out of the natural nail bed, which leads to splitting. He added that rigidly attached acrylic nails can lead to nail breakage, infections and loss of the natural nail.

4. Allergic reactions

Dr Persadsingh said the material in acrylic nails can lead to allergic reactions, which can lead to severe inflammation and thinning of the nail bed. “MMA — Methyl Methacrylate — is a chemical used in the manufacture of acrylic nails that may lead to severe allergic reactions, permanent loss of sensation in the fingertips, nail damage, deformities and respiratory damage with eye, nose and throat irritation. MMA is a serious poisonous substance and is deemed unsuitable for salon use,” he said.

Acrylic nails are worn by many women without problems, and should be applied properly and in an area with adequate ventilation. Technicians should follow the proper procedures for application, and the customer should ensure that they follow instructions on refilling and care, to avoid problems.

— Kimberley Hibbert