This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Alayna Thomas. Find her on Instagram at @ratatoolie. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
I absolutely love getting my nails done and making nail art. I always have since I was younger. In high school, I started to occasionally get acrylic nails because I love the look of longer, sometimes exaggerated nails. Back in that time, a full set would only be $25. Nowadays, it can sometimes cost me $60 just to get my nails done. Due to the increasing price, I turned to at home acrylic nail kits. I also started going to nail technicians who charged less because they weren’t certified or didn’t rent a booth in a salon.
However, through my research on trying to find the best at home kits and whatnot, I started to learn how dangerous it can be to repeatedly come into contact with uncured acrylates. Interacting with them without taking proper precautions can trigger contact allergies, which then can affect your quality of life.
What Is An Acrylate?
Acrylates are chemical compounds that are derived from acrylic acid. Acrylates can be found in many products, such as artificial nails and nail gel, paint, and plexiglass. They possess many properties, such as being transparent, absorbent, and flexible. This is why they are used for so many things. Based on the chemicals you mix it with or the way it’s derived, the properties of the acrylic can change as well. It is very versatile.
There are also different types of acrylates or acrylics, and they are all used for different things. For example, there is butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, and ethyl acrylate. Ethyl acrylate is the form that is most used in cosmetics, such as gel polishes and eyelash extensions.
Can Acrylics Be Harmful?
Acrylates are known irritants. People who work with acrylics for manufacturing purposes risk damage to their olfactory system. This means that those who inhale uncured (not hardened) acrylates are potentially damaging their sense of smell and taste. In a study done on rodents, researchers found that rodents exposed to acrylates had increased inflammation and loss of receptor cells. If that damage is being done to rodents, imagine the damage being done to those on the assembly line or construction site.
Another group that is highly at risk are nail and lash technicians, as they work with acrylates all the time to form nail and lash extensions, dip powder, gel, and other things of that nature. Likewise, those who get those cosmetic enhancements done a lot are also at an increased risk for olfactory damage, as well as contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
Can I Get an Acrylate Allergy From Gel Nails Or Extensions?
In short, yes. You can get an acrylate allergy from gen nails or nail extensions. However, these allergies might not be a true allergy. The only way to test for an allergy is to go to an allergist and test your blood or do a skin patch test. Still, many people who are getting their nails done are suffering from irritation known as contact dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis is skin irritation or a rash that is caused by exposure to a chemical. However, it can also be indicative of an allergic reaction. So, if you are having skin irritation, it is best to contact a doctor. You can develop this from anything, such as lotion or perfume. For those who have this rare allergy, contact dermatitis can even flare up from contact with water.
You may develop contact dermatitis on the first exposure to acrylics, or on the 100th exposure. You also may never develop it at all.
How Do I Know If I Have an Allergy to Acrylates?
As stated earlier, the only way to truly know is to get tested by a medical professional. However, there are warning signs that you might have contact dermatitis triggered by acrylates or have an allergy to them.
You have inflamed skin or nail beds. Your cuticles and the skin surrounding the nails are red and swollen. There also might be some thickening of the skin along with discoloration. Your skin might be peeling. In more extreme cases, blisters with pus or crusting might occur.
It is important to keep an eye out for symptoms because acrylates are used for many medical procedures as well. If you develop contact dermatitis or an allergy to acrylics, you might not be able to get certain dental work done, such as braces or crowns and veneers. When you get older, you might not be able to get a hip or a knee replacement because acrylates are used.
If Acrylates Are Dangerous, Why Are We Using Them?
This is a great question. I’ve often wondered this myself when I realized how much damage it can cause to your skin, nose, mouth, and eyes.
I mentioned earlier that acrylic is a known irritant. It turns out that this is very well known by scientists and doctors from across the spectrum. In fact, in 2012, the American Contact Dermatitis Society named acrylics as ‘allergen of the year’. This was over a decade ago. Why haven’t things changed?
I believe that this is due to the beauty industry being slow to catch up with science, even if the science is widely accepted and acknowledged by other professionals and doctors. In the 1700’s, lead makeup to whiten skin was widely used, but caused users to develop lead poisoning. Even today, we are still discovering more information about many beauty practices. It was recently discovered that hair relaxers can cause cancer, even though we knew it could chemically burn people (I have suffered this myself). Additionally, we are still learning about dermal fillers, which can cause people to develop swelling and can potentially damage the lymphatic system.
Additionally, acrylic sets and materials are super cheap. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I ordered a DIY kit for only $30. So, salons can easily equip themselves with it. This must also mean it’s cheap to produce.
Lastly, Western society has often equated beauty with pain. ‘Beauty is pain’, as they say. So, many people believe that it is normal to experience pain or discomfort when it comes to certain beauty practices. Furthermore, some may think that it is necessary to feel that pain and discomfort. If it didn’t hurt, it didn’t work.
How Do I Avoid Developing an Acrylate Allergy?
The only way to not develop an acrylate allergy is to not come into contact with them, which can be difficult if you have certain medical conditions or professions.
In terms of beauty, there are alternatives. Instead of nail extensions, buy cute press ons! Try out regular nail polish. You can also find some gel polishes that do not have acrylic in them. Buy strip lashes and glue instead of getting lash extensions, or invest in some good lengthening mascara. But, if you cannot give up your extensions, make sure you go to a cosmetologist with a license or proper certifications.
What do you think? Have you developed an acrylate allergy from gel nails, nail extensions, or eyelash extensions? Let us know in the comments below!
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