One of the most controversial topics in the professional beauty industry involves a monomer liquid called MMA or methyl methacrylate. Unfortunately, there are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding the use of this ingredient. Most nail technicians know they should not use products containing this ingredient, but they don't know why! This lack of proper information opens the door for speculation and rumors.

Generally, when you ask someone why MMA should not be used, they will immediately respond that MMA is toxic. Although it is true that you should not drink MMA liquid, the same holds true for salt water and rubbing alcohol. MMA is not a human cancer causing agent and it does not absorb through the nail plate to affect the health of clients or nail technicians. Nor is it dangerous to inhale in the salon environment. Scientific information collected about MMA shows that toxicity is NOT the reason MMA makes a poor nail enhancement ingredient. In fact, for many years MMA has been safely implanted in the body as a bone repair cement - so it is not a dangerous toxin, as many imagine.

Then why should MMA not be used? There are four main reasons:

MMA nail products do not adhere well to the nail plate. To make these products adhere, nail technicians often shred up (etch) the surface of the nail. This thins the nail plate and makes it weaker.

MMA creates the hardest and most rigid nail enhancements, which makes them very difficult to break. When jammed or caught, the overly filed and thinned natural nail plate will often break before the MMA enhancement, leading to serious nail damage.

MMA is extremely difficult to remove. Since it will not dissolve in product removers, it is usually pried from the nail plate, creating still more damage.

The FDA says don't use it! This is clearly the most important reason. The FDA bases their prohibition on the large number of consumer complaints resulting from the use of MMA nail enhancements in the late 70's and they continue to maintain this position today. products (methyl methacrylate) for four reasons:

1. They do not adhere well to the nail plate without severe etching of the natural nail causing it to be weak and thin.

2. Because they are the hardest and most rigid enhancement, they are harder to break so when jammed or caught, they will break the natural nail underneath before they break, thus the risk of serious injury.

3. They are difficult to remove, usually requiring that they be pried from the nail, causing even more damage

4. The United States Federal Drug Act says don't use it. If you suspect it is being used, Health Canada requests you report to them.