If you have seen pictures of cracked and bleeding artificial nails, you have probably witnessed the destruction of a product nicknamed MMA. Sadly, these kinds of toxic nail products have been used for years even though they are proven to be unhealthy. Here are some of the signs that generally point to MMA products and exactly what they are.

MMA stands for Methyl Methacrylate, it can be used as a bonding agent (the liquid in acrylic nail application) and other types of nail products. Although the Food and Drug Administration said these are dangerous products in the late 70’s, some continue to use it. This chemical has an extreme hold on nails and usually needs to be filled off or takes hours to soak off.

The product that should be used for the application of artificial nails is called EMA, Ethyl Methacrylate. EMA does not have the same health risk as MMA and it is more expensive. According to Google shopping search results, a gallon of EMA can cost from $200-250 and a gallon of MMA cost about $60 to 75. Since it’s cheaper, unethical nail salons continue to use it.

The first sign that a salon uses MMA is that the prices are very low. “Cheap nails aren’t nice and nice nails aren’t cheap,” is usually the mantra nail stylist will say when asked about MMA. If your fill in is under $20 and a full set under $30, your salon probably uses MMA. Another sign of MMA is when employees are wearing mask.

The Department of Health, Western Australian reports that products with Methyl Methacrylate as the active ingredient have a “strong irritating chemical odor.” If the person who is going to do your nails is wearing a mask, they are probably using toxic products. They also explained that these products make nails that are not flexible, are more difficult to file and harder to remove.

Some of the health risks associated with MMA include drowsiness, light headedness, trembling, allergic reactions, dermatitis, and destruction of the nail and nail bed. This video explains more about the problem of nail salons using Methyl Methacrylate.