Are Acrylic Nails Safe?

Long nails can add a lot of oomph, if you are trying to look drop dead gorgeous from head to toe. But growing long nails naturally can be pretty tough, because it requires a lot of patience and maintenance. The easy option is thus, to go for acrylic nails. Though this cosmetic procedure of increasing your nail length is pretty easy and not too expensive, the question you may have is whether it is safe.
After all there are collateral risks with any sort of cosmetic procedure and acrylic nails are no different. But the good news is that if the procedure is carried out by and expert and you maintain your nails properly, there should not be any problem.
Though there is very little risk involved in the process, you cannot rule out the possibility of a nail infection. This happens when there is a gap between your actual nail and the acrylic extension. But how can a gap develop between the two?
Well, this may happen purely by accident, but you cannot rule out the possibility all the same. If the nail gets bumped or jarred the gap may appear. This crevice between the two portions of nail becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, because of moisture available from the exposed skin.
An infection may also occur if your salon uses non-sanitized tools for completing the process of acrylic extension. The signs of infection include thickening and discoloration of the natural nail. You should immediately consult a dermatologist when this happens.
Your skin may also be allergic to the chemicals used for acrylic extension and you may develop dermatitis. This is indicated by redness and swelling around the nails and you may have to see a doctor in this case too.
So, you may have understood by now that your choice of salon plays a key role in ensuring that acrylic nails do not cause any problems for you. If you are more interested in saving money, than safety and hygiene, maybe you should drop the idea of getting acrylic nails!
And if you have to get acrylic nails, go for a reputed licensed salon which comes with a personal recommendation from a friend who has availed their services. Here are few other things you should evaluate before choosing a salon:

• The nail technicians should have individual licenses.
• Nails should be sanitized (ideally using autoclaving) and both you and the technician should wash hands with an anti-bacterial soap before commencing the procedure.

The chemical used for the process is also crucial in ensuring safety. Low end salons may use methyl methacrylate or MMA, which a banned substance in most countries. This substance is not safe for acrylic extensions because it can cause allergies and does not result in strong bonding between the natural nail and the extension.
That is why safe nail extensions are done with ethyl methacrylate or EMA. This chemical gives you acrylic nails which are strong, but at the same time can be removed easily when you want.
Hope you now have a better idea about the safety of acrylic nails.