How Safe Is Your Manicure?

Next time you step into a salon for a budget manicure, ask yourself whether you know what substances are being smothered on your nails.

For tips, extensions or acrylics, many budget salons use a powerful chemical that can cause permanent nail damage and severe allergic reactions.

That chemical is methyl methacrylate (MMA) and is so potent and poisonous that it’s banned in America.

One survey found that British women spend on average £450 a year on their nails. But for some, that money has brought them nothing but regret.

For the last 10 years hairdresser Tracey Harrod has had acrylic nail extensions - false tips, fixed to the natural nails with acrylic glue. But visits to budget salons have left her paying the price.

'They looked beautiful but my nails had suffered underneath. I had no idea they were using something on my nails they shouldn't have been, ' she says.  

 According to Dr David Orton, from The British Association of Dermatologists: 'The allergies can cause problems in the skin around the nail - ectopic sites, problems with tingling and exacerbation of people’s asthma.'  

The glue used is so strong it’s capable of supporting a couple of kilos of weight and is used in concrete and as cement in hip and knee replacements.

The documentary alleges many lie about its use. So what’s the truth?

According to nail technician Amber Varnham, from Leicestershire, Tracey's experience isn't unique.

'I'm seeing lots of these cases, it's particularly a problem in budget salons. It could pop the nail plate off the nail bed, plus cause serious damage to the nail,' she says.

'There’s no purpose for it as we have the correct products for use.' 

Using secret filming and lab analysis, the documentary discovered that out of nine salons tested across the East Midlands, eight of them were using MMA.

So who polices nail salons? When the salons were reported to the health and safety executive, they said it was the responsibility of local authorities’ Trading Standards officers.

Within the nail industry, controls are weak and staff don’t have to have training or a licence to work as a manicurist.

But some believe that has to change. Dr Orton says: 'There has to be greater regulation within the nail industry, greater education for those in the industry using these chemicals and their clients need to know of these dangers too.'

So if MMA is never advertised and you can’t always trust salons to tell you the truth how can you protect yourself?

Low pricing, secrecy about brands and unlaballed pots, extreme filing of the natural nail and difficulty removing the nail enhancement are all tell-tale signs.