Screening for contact allergy to artificial nails

Abstract

27 patients (26 women and 1 man), all in contact with artificial nails, were tested for acrylic compounds, known to be present in nail cosmetics. The patch test results obtained in these patients demonstrated that 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethyl cyanoacrylate were the only 2 allergens needed to diagnose contact allergy to acrylic-containing nail cosmetics, except for 1 patient who reacted only to her nail preparation used and in which we were unable to identify the allergen. This concerns clearly a limited number of patients. The purpose was, however, to detect the most valuable allergen(s) to be used in a dermatologist's practice, in which not all possible allergens can be tested, in order to diagnose such cases.

Effects of Curing Conditions and Formulations on Residual Monomer Contents and Temperature Increase of a Model UV Gel Nail Formulation

“…The density of the sample solution (1.1 g/cm 3 ) was obtained from the supplier of the monomer. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the simultaneous UV exposure and temperature monitoring apparatus.…”

“…Although the UV gel nail market is flourishing and has expanded rapidly, safety guidelines on UV gel nail treatment have not yet been established. Clinical studies on UV gel nails have revealed that technicians at nail salons are at risk of developing allergies [1][2][3] and asthma [4,5] due to UV gel nails. Some UV-curable monomers may cause human skin allergies and asthma in respiratory organs.…”

Safety and Efficacy of Nail Products

“…Many types of artificial nails exists. A whole or the tip of a preformed plastic nail may be glued to the existing nail, either in a salon or at home with a kit [34]. They may be removed with nail polish or nail glue remover.…”

“…They may be removed with nail polish or nail glue remover. Another category of artificial nails is sculptured nails, which includes acrylic nails and photobonded gel nails [34]. Acrylic nails use a combination of a powdered polymer and a monomer liquid which are mixed upon the nail plate and then allowed to polymerize and harden.…”

“…Natural light and an organic accelerator such as benzoyl peroxide may help facilitate this reaction. In the process of hardening, these nails may be sculptured into the desired length or shape [34]. The monomer used in this reaction is usually a methacrylate monomer.…”