QuestionOK. I went to this salon that wasny very expensive ($33) and the techs didnt speak english very good but did a little. i walk in a nd they motion me to sit down. The tech takes off my old polish and i tell him to put 2 fake tips on my 2 broken nails ( they are grown but just shorter than the rest of my natural maybe a little longer 1/4th inch nail ). so he takes out a box of fake plastic tips puts 2 on my 2 nails with some nail glue and clips it to the leght of my ohter nails. then he proceeds to drill my natural nails. ok maybe thats for adhesion 4 the gel. so he then puts some primer and base liquid or something and dips some white labeled "gel powder" in some purple liquid. it smells bad. hes wearin a mask so i think okay maybe he doesnt want to inhale it either. so then he takes this little glob and spreads it evenly on my nails. he seems to be doing a good job because hes always inspecting the nails and redo if they come out not good. so after the "gel" which i later found out to be acrylic powder, he buffs the nails into a square shape does he drill again? i cant remember ( alot of dust) motions to wash my hands and then puts on a french manicure. after he puts my hands in a purple "UV" light and later under sonething that blows air to spped drying. some other lady joins me at the talbe but looks as if she got only a manicure. so its done and the base color he used is not even so he redos the polish on some until it looks okay and then i pay and tip. the whole thing took probably and hour and a half maybe less and im afraid that there might have been MMA used in my nails. 1) the smell 2)he wore a mask 3) a lot of nail dust after acrylics 4) drilled my nail bed (i think) 5)after a week of the procedure my nail grows and the product seems to be either growing with the nail (at base) or lifting i can't tell. Please tell me, If MMA has been applied to my nail what can i do to ensure safe removal and the least amount damage to my natural nails? I dont want to end up with a disgusting bumpy fate. I have naturally long nails, but im not happy with the shape,( i like what he gave me) what can you reccommend i get done next time for nice shape/ strenght, hardness? is UV gel appropiate?
AnswerFirst of all you didn't got gel nail (there is no such thing as gel powder) gel is just that, a gel, so you got acrylics with a UV gel top coat at most.
Usually these discount salons where little english is spoken, little concern for the client's taste, lifestyle, and safety is held can really be a problem. They damage your nails, use cheap products to increase their profit and have little or no concern about hygiene.
It is difficult to tell if MMA where used or not, all the signs are there but there are not conclusive. The only way to tell is to have them removed by a qualified experienced nail tech.
To read more about MMA go to:
http://www.salongeek.com/health-safety-unaturale/2698-mma.html
Hope everything turns out OK and i hope i could help.
