How can I tell if a salon is using MMA acrylic?

MMA has a strong, sharp chemical smell, the product is unusually hard and difficult to file, and the natural nail is often heavily drilled before application. Very low prices for full sets are another common sign.

Is MMA acrylic illegal in the UK?

MMA is not approved for use on nails in the UK and reputable salons do not use it. Professional suppliers sell EMA based products instead.

What does Glitter and Shine use instead?

We use professional gel, builder gel and EMA based systems, applied with gentle prep and removed by soak off rather than aggressive drilling.

Nail health guide

The dangers of MMA acrylic nails

If you have ever left a nail appointment with thin, sore or lifting nails, the product used on them may be the reason. Here is a plain English look at MMA acrylic, why it causes damage, and what a safe set should feel like.

What is MMA?

MMA stands for methyl methacrylate, a liquid monomer originally made for dental and industrial use. It is cheap, which is why it still turns up in some discount nail bars. Professional nail products use EMA, ethyl methacrylate, which is a larger, gentler molecule designed for use on skin and nails.

Why it causes damage

It bonds far too tightly. Instead of lifting away, an MMA set can take the top layers of the natural nail with it, or snap sideways and lift the nail plate from the bed.
It needs heavy drilling. To make the product stick, the natural nail is often filed down until it is paper thin, which is where the soreness and long recovery come from.
It is a known irritant. Contact with the skin around the nail can cause redness, swelling and, over time, allergic reactions.

How to spot it

A harsh, sharp chemical smell that is noticeably stronger than a normal salon.
Product that will not soak off in acetone and has to be drilled away.
A set that feels rigid and heavy rather than flexible.
Unlabelled liquid in an unmarked bottle.
A full set priced far below everyone else in town.

What we use at Glitter and Shine

Professional gel, builder gel and EMA based systems from trusted suppliers, so your nails stay strong without being stripped.

Gentle prep and soak off removal. We buff, we do not grind, and we check the health of the natural nail at every appointment.

Recovering damaged nails

Nails grow out roughly 3mm a month, so a badly damaged set takes a few months to fully replace itself. In the meantime, builder gel can be applied as a protective overlay while the natural nail grows underneath, along with daily cuticle oil. If you are unsure what was used on your nails, bring them in and we will take a look before recommending anything.

Book a safe set in Reading

We are in Tilehurst, Reading, and happy to talk through options before you commit to anything.

Book an appointment