MMA....confused

[chimerka]

Hi, I have read many threads about MMA and always I am not sure....
1. If I will buy acrylic liguid from websites or nail shops is it sure that this does not contain MMA? I certainly would not want use it, but how can
you know what is inside?I have just checked few websites and nowhere is written exactly what is inside just "monomer".
2. I have read that technicians who use face mask use also MMA and face
mask use because of strong smell. Does it means that technicians who use EMA does not have any smell in salons? I am sorry I am just beginner ,
but acrylic liquid which I got with my course smells quite much and in my
theory book is also written that acrylic liquid smells much, so I would say
that all nail technicians should use face mask and it is not sign of that this
is NSS....
3. Is MMA so much cheaper, than EMA, when actually nail technicians take
a risk of damage nails? I have checked prices but I do not find soooo expansive that I should buy something what is not safe, you know what I mean...thank you for answer

 

[geeg]

Hi, I have read many threads about MMA and always I am not sure....
1. If I will buy acrylic liguid from websites or nail shops is it sure that this does not contain MMA? I certainly would not want use it, but how can
you know what is inside?I have just checked few websites and nowhere is written exactly what is inside just "monomer".

If you are buying monomer from any source, you should have an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for that product. MSDS will state the ingredients in the monomer and it will say MMA if it is in the product rather than EMA. Remember that it is only when MMA is in the monomer that it poses a danger to the client.

You will not find MMA in branded lines so I would stick to the well known branded products and buy them from legitimate sources.

2. I have read that technicians who use face mask use also MMA and face
mask use because of strong smell. Does it means that technicians who use EMA does not have any smell in salons?

Although most techs who use MMA do wear face masks ... so do technicians who use EMA monomer. Wearing a face mask is not for the smell but for the DUST, and is no indication that someone is using MMA.

EMA also has an odour which to some is strong, but it is not as strong as the odour of MMA monomer. You will not tell by the odour if a technician is using MMA.

I am sorry I am just beginner ,
but acrylic liquid which I got with my course smells quite much and in my
theory book is also written that acrylic liquid smells much, so I would say
that all nail technicians should use face mask and it is not sign of that this
is NSS....

you are right! BUt face mask is to help you avoid breathing in the DUST ... nothing to do with odour.


3. Is MMA so much cheaper, than EMA, when actually nail technicians a risk of damage nails? I have checked prices but I do not find soooo expansive that I should buy something what is not safe, you know what I mean...thank you for answer.

Well you sound like a smart young lady who will think about her clients and try to protect the health of their natural nails which is what we all should be doing, so good for you. But the answer to your last question is YES ... MMA monomer is much much cheaper than EMA but as you say, not worth risking the health of you or your clients.

 

[xAnnaBannAx]

:hug:MMA (methyl methacrylate) is an ingredient/chemical used years ago in the liquid (monomer) and in the powder (polymer). It was eventually found to have caused a lot of allergic reactions and damage to the nails so it was discontinued being used.

Because MMA containing products do not adhere properly to the nail plate...the technician has to excessively 'rough up' the nail which causes them to be thin and week, but the MMA product makes the enhancement extremely hard and rigid which means they are really difficult to break....so if the nail got trapped for example, because the natural nail is so thin and weak underneath but the enhancement is so hard and rigid on top...the whole nail would likely be ripped off!.....Ouch! lol

As well as this MMA is very hard to remove...and doesn't disolve well in product removers...making it very hard to be removed without further damaging the natural nail.

There are signs that MMA are being used....liquid monomers smell...but mma containing liquid monomers have a much stronger smell and sweeter. The technician will likely be using an electric file and wearing a mask....but alot of technicians use electric files and wear a mask...that doesn't mean they too are using MMA!

MMA is not sold by reputable manufacturers anymore so you dont need to be worried so long as your buying your products from a reputable distributer..you can ask for the Material Data Sheets for your products also.

Also note that powders contain PMMA (Methyl Methacrylate Polymer)...this is safe.
Liquids usually contain EMA (Ethyl Methacrylate)....this is also safe!

MMA is only a problem in liquid monomers. hth :hug:

 

[JANEY K]

sound advice & more information thanks geeg & annabanna for sharing
If you are buying monomer from any source, you should have an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for that product. MSDS will state the ingredients in the monomer and it will say MMA if it is in the product rather than EMA. Remember that it is only when MMA is in the monomer that it poses a danger to the client.

You will not find MMA in branded lines so I would stick to the well known branded products and buy them from legitimate sources.


Although most techs who use MMA do wear face masks ... so do technicians who use EMA monomer. Wearing a face mask is not for the smell but for the DUST, and is no indication that someone is using MMA.

 

[chimerka]

Thank you very much all of you, this forum is amazing , big help for
beginners like me...:hug: