QuestionQUESTION: Dear Denise,
I get my nails done like once a year. I paid $20 and got my nails done yesterday and they hurt last night and today. I told her not to sand down my nails too far because they are too thin already, and she couldn't speak english. The drill she used really really hurt me and when she started sanding down the acrylic it burned so bad and I was trying so hard not to cry. I kept on telling her that it hurt and she didn't understand what I was saying. Finally I told her just to leave a few of my nails half done because the pain was unbearable. I'm really paranoid about everything now. I don't know why it hurts so bad, but another thing she did was sand down the sides of my nails even where the nail ended. IT HURT SO BAD! Hearing these horror stories that I researched on the internet makes me sooo so paranoid. Is there any way to get the pain to go away? or will it just go away on its own? It is sore on the sides of my nails. What if I soaked them in alcohol? How do I file a complaint? One of the girls drying her nails listened to me complain about how bad it hurt, and she told me in cosmetology school she learned that the drill is illegal in New York State.
Thanks
Mary
ANSWER: Mary, it sounds like you were the victim of really poorly-trained nail tech. If you are still experiencing pain after 24-36 hours, and/or if you notice any redness or swelling around or under your nails (especially around the area where the tech filed your skin), visit your doctor as soon as possible to check for infection.
More than likely, though, the pain you're experiencing is simply from overfiling of the nail plate, and it will go away after a day or so. The best thing for your nails then is to keep the acrylic on them, as a protective cover for the thin nail plates. And then PLEASE find a *reputable* nail tech to continue with the care of your nails! You can find excellent, well trained techs in your area at www.cnd.com, through their salon locator, or at www.beautytech.com with their salon finder. You will probably pay more than $20 for a full set (or a fill), but in this business, you truly get what you pay for!
You *can* report a salon by going to your state's Department of Licensing website; search cosmetology or manicuring to find contact information on where and how to file a complaint.
And just for your information: electric files, or drills, aren't illegal to use in a nail salon. Used correctly, by someone with the proper training, the electric file is a really useful and efficient tool. In the wrong hands, however, you get all kinds of problems like the ones you've described! That's why it's so important to find a reputable nail tech.
I hope this is helpful to you--feel free to follow up if you have any more questions!
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for your help. I could not get an answer from anyone other than you!
I have one more question: Are there different types of acrylic that are used? The stuff they use at this nail salon burns terribly, especially when they have to file it down.
Is there a way they can do a fill or a full set without the electric file?
I don't care if I have to pay more, I just didn't think there was any other way. I have very sensetive skin and I'll pay more if it will hurt/burn less!
Thank you so much for the information about the electric files. I couldn't find any answers on it online and I wondered how it was allowed to be used in every nail salon I went to. You are a big help!
Thanks Again,
-Mary
AnswerI'm glad I can be of some help!
There *are* different types of acrylic liquids, and it's possible (highly probably actually) that the type used on you was MMA (methyl-methacrylate)--or dental acrylic. MMA is banned for use on nails because it creates a coating that is too hard for the natural nail (if you break it, more often than not, it will break your nail plate too.), and it is more prone to causing skin allergies.
EMA (ethyl-methacrylate) is the liquid that was designed for use on natural nails, and when used properly by a trained nail tech, is MUCH less likely to cause the allergic reactions common to MMA. It also adheres better to the nail plate, and doesn't require the nail to be "roughed up" or "etched" first.
You CAN have your nails done by a nail tech who doesn't use an electric file (I hand file everything, myself)--that's something you can ask about when you search for your new tech.
Good luck, Mary! I hope your fingers start feeling better soon.
