2023-04-17 05:11:59
- Nikki Cardwell and Jasmine Anderson
- BBC News
Acrylic nails have a strong smell due to the chemicals used, and are easier to deal with at home than gel nails
The UK government is investigating reports that large numbers of people are developing allergies to certain nail gel products.
Dermatologists say they treat people for allergic reactions to acrylic and gel nails over “weeks”.
Dr Deirdre Buckley of the British Association of Dermatologists urged people to limit the use of nail gel and stick to “old nail polish”, calling for people to stop using tools intended for personal use to manicure at home instead of going to beauty salons.
She said that some cases had suffered from weakness or falling of the nails, skin rashes, and in rare cases breathing difficulties.
The Office of Government Product Safety and Standards confirmed that the investigation is underway, explaining that the local trade standards department is the authority authorized to communicate in the event of any injuries being recorded.
“All cosmetics available in the UK must comply with strict safety regulations, including a list of ingredients to enable consumers with allergies to identify products that may not be suitable for them,” it said in a statement.
Although most nail polishes are safe and do not lead to any problems, the British Association of Dermatologists warns that chemicals such as methacrylate, which is found in gel and acrylic nails, can cause allergic reactions in some people, and often occurs This is when the process is applied at home or by untrained technicians.
Dr Buckley, who co-authored a report on the subject in 2018, told the BBC: “It’s developing into a serious and common problem. We’re seeing this more and more because many people buy personal use tools to do manicures in their home and get allergic and then They go to beauty salons, and the allergy gets worse.”
She added: “Ideally, people would stop using gel nails and go back to their old nail polish, which is much less delicate. People who insist on continuing to use acrylic nail products should have it professionally done.”
Gel polish has grown in popularity in recent years because it lasts longer, but unlike other types of nail polish, gel polish needs to be “cured” under a UV light in order to dry.
However, the UV lamps that are purchased for drying polish do not work with every type of gel.
If the lamp is at least 36 watts or the correct wavelength, the acrylics, a group of chemicals used to make gel hold together, do not dry properly and penetrate the nail bed and cuticle, causing irritation and sensitivity.
image copyright Getty Images
UV light should be used to “cure” and dry the nail gel under a heat lamp.
This sensitivity causes patients to be unable to obtain medical treatments such as dental fillings, joint replacement surgery, and some diabetes medications, due to the presence of acrylic.
Dr. Buckley said she saw one case of a woman with sores on her hands that forced her to take several weeks off from work.
She added, “There was another woman who used household tools that she bought herself, so people don’t realize that there are huge repercussions for this process that have nothing to do with nails.”
When she was training to be a manicurist, Lisa Prince started having problems with a rash and swelling all over her body.
“I didn’t learn anything regarding the chemical composition of the products we were using,” Prince said. “My trainer told me to wear gloves.”
After the diagnosis, she was told she had an allergy to acrylic, and she said, “They told me I had an allergy to acrylic and I would have to tell my dentist because it would affect me.”
She added, “It’s a scary thought. I have pains in my legs and thighs. I know I will need surgery at some point.”
Lisa Prince developed a rash on her face, neck, and body following applying gel nails
There are many other stories like Lisa’s on social media, where manicurist Suzanne Clayton created a Facebook group when some of her clients started reacting to their gel nails.
“I created the group with nail tech and the constant buzz regarding issues, and following three days there were 700 people in the group, and it’s growing wonderfully.”
Four years later, the group has more than 37,000 members and contains medical reports on nail gel allergies from more than 100 countries.
I established a company American Gelish The first nail gel products in 2009, explaining that it is trying to do everything “right” in training its employees and issuing health certificates for the chemicals used, stressing in the words of its CEO Danny Hill that “its products are compatible with the requirements of the European Union and the United States, but when it is Selling products over the Internet, countries may not adhere to the strict requirements that are put in place, which leads to severe skin irritation.”
“We’ve sold close to 100 million bottles of nail gel all over the world, and certainly there are cases of allergic reactions, but it’s very low,” Hill added.
Some patients’ skin peels off following applying nail gel
Some manicurists said that the allergy that results from the use of nail gel in some people is of concern to those working in this field.
With the different formulations of nail gels, they differ from one product to another, as the founder (Federation of Nail Professionals) Marian Newman explained that nail cosmetic procedures are safe if done properly.
Marian Newman told the BBC: “I have witnessed a lot of allergic reactions affecting clients and nail technicians. I advise people who buy DIY tools and use nail gels at home to stop, as this process must be done by professionals for them.” Full knowledge of the chemical composition of the product.
She added: “Choose your nail specialist wisely according to his level of education, training and qualifications, and make sure to use the group that was manufactured in Europe or America, and it is preferable to stay away from one of the most allergens known as Hema, as you can use a brand that is free of it such as Hypoallergenic.
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