The Hidden Dangers of Acrylic Nails: What’s Really in That Manicure?

Back in 2017, I bought a run-down local salon with plans to renovate it from top to bottom, and that’s exactly what we did. It was a beautiful transformation. We added a boutique, a massage room, and had about eight women working there as independent contractors. The former owner stayed on, working as a hairdresser and nail tech. Before this, going back to the 90s, I had struggled with multiple chemical sensitivity but was eventually healed. I could be around scents and chemicals again without issue. Then came the chemicals from acrylic nails. Just a whiff of the products used would hit me within 30 seconds, and it was like my central nervous system went into full alert. I’d feel like I was about to tip over. I would get so sick that I had to leave the salon.

I knew I couldn’t keep operating that way. I offered to pay for the nail tech to try an organic nail system to see if it could be a better option for all of us. She tried it, but preferred to stick with what she had always done. That created tension, and we asked her to stop doing nails in the salon. She was welcome to keep cutting hair, but thankfully she chose to leave not long after. Once she was gone, the chemical smell left with her, and the energy in the salon shifted in the best way. I had been getting so many complaints from customers walking into the boutique about the strong odor. Some even said they were getting headaches, and yes, I lost a few customers over it.

I had to go through a full-body detox and ended up off work for a few months because of how sick those fumes made me. That experience is what pushed me to speak out. I want to share more about these toxic chemicals and the real damage they can do. I even had the chance to talk to the former head of the national cosmetology board, and the stories she shared from workers across the country were heartbreaking. She later wrote a whistleblower book about it. She mentioned ladies who had miscarriages, contracted cancer, respiratory issues, long-term bedridden sicknesses, and more. When I find my copy, I’ll post it here.

We eventually sold the building after COVID, but I’ve never stopped caring about the safety of salon workers or the health of the people who walk through those doors.

Acrylic nails might give you a polished look, but many of the chemicals used can have serious short- and long-term effects on your health. One of the biggest concerns is MMA (methyl methacrylate), a chemical banned in nail salons but still found in some locations. Let’s break down what’s being used, who is most at risk, and what to watch for.

Common Chemicals in Acrylic Nails

1. Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)

• What it is: A liquid monomer formerly used widely in nail products. Banned by the FDA for use on nails.

• Why it’s dangerous:

  • Forms an extremely hard, inflexible surface that can damage the natural nail

  • Must be filed off, not soaked, which leads to thinning, cracking, or even nail loss

  • Releases powerful fumes that irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs

• Health Effects:

  • Short-term: Headaches, nausea, skin burns, and allergic reactions

  • Long-term:

    • Respiratory damage

    • Skin sensitization

    • Central nervous system (CNS) effects such as dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and memory issues

    • Liver and kidney stress in workers exposed regularly

2. Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA)

• What it is: A safer, legal alternative to MMA used in most reputable salons.

• Side Effects:

  • Skin irritation, eye redness, and allergic dermatitis

  • Headaches, dizziness, and light-headedness from fumes

  • Respiratory irritation, especially without proper ventilation

  • CNS effects with frequent exposure including slowed reaction time, difficulty focusing, and mood disturbances

3. Benzoyl Peroxide

• Use: A catalyst in acrylic powders

• Health Risks:

  • Eye, skin, and respiratory irritation

  • May contribute to oxidative stress in the body with chronic exposure

4. Toluene

• Use: Found in some polishes and adhesives

• Health Risks:

  • Known neurotoxin

  • Can cause dizziness, fatigue, and nausea

  • Linked to long-term CNS damage including memory loss and mood changes

  • Reproductive risk: Exposure during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriages and birth defects

5. Formaldehyde

• Use: Sometimes found in nail hardeners

• Health Risks:

  • Carcinogen

  • Can trigger asthma attacks, eye and throat irritation

  • Linked to nervous system disruption and reproductive harm

6. Acetone

• Use: For removing acrylic nails and gel polish

• Health Risks:

  • Dries skin and nails

  • Fumes can cause dizziness, nausea, and irritability

  • High levels of exposure may affect CNS function, leading to coordination issues or headaches

    
    

Harm to Salon Workers

Nail technicians face daily exposure to these chemicals, often in poorly ventilated environments. Over time, this can lead to:

• Chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic cough

• Skin irritation, chemical burns, or rashes

• Eye inflammation and sinus congestion

• Fatigue, brain fog, and memory issues

• CNS effects such as trouble concentrating, headaches, and slowed reaction time

• Miscarriages and fertility problems. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde, toluene, and other solvents has been associated with higher rates of miscarriage and difficulty getting pregnant

• Increased risk of liver, kidney, or neurological disease over time

  
  

Many women who have worked long-term in nail salons, especially without proper protection, have developed lasting health issues, including hormone disruption, autoimmune flare-ups, and reproductive complications.

Harm to Clients and Other Patrons

Even short visits can affect clients, especially in salons using strong chemicals or lacking airflow:

• Nail damage and infections

• Allergic skin reactions

• Breathing in fumes can trigger dizziness, nausea, or headaches

• CNS symptoms in sensitive individuals, including brain fog, shakiness, and trouble focusing

• Higher risk for pregnant women, children, and those with asthma

  
  

People with Environmental Sensitivities

Those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), asthma, or autoimmune disorders are especially vulnerable. Even brief exposure can trigger:

• Breathing issues or asthma attacks

• Intense fatigue or migraines

• Sinus irritation, itchy skin, or watery eyes

• Nervous system effects like anxiety, tremors, or impaired focus

• Symptoms that get worse with each exposure, even at low levels

  
  

Signs a Salon May Be Using MMA (It's illegal!)

• Strong, lingering chemical odor

• Nails that are overly hard and won’t soak off with acetone

• Very low service prices, which is often a red flag for cutting corners

• Unlabeled or generic containers

• Workers wearing heavy-duty masks but no visible ventilation

  
  

Tips for Safer Salon Visits

• Ask your nail tech to see the product label. Look for EMA, not MMA

• Choose salons with proper ventilation and cleanliness

• Avoid nail services during pregnancy or if you have sensitivities

• Give your natural nails regular breaks to recover

• If you're a salon worker, wear gloves, use a mask, and take breaks from chemical exposure Here are several reputable toxin‑free nail salons across the U.S. that avoid harsh chemicals and prioritize safer alternatives:

  🔹 7 AM Nail Care — Chicago, IL

  An organic, non‑toxic nail spa with multiple locations (Lincoln Park, Streeterville, West Loop). They use safer products and maintain strong client and technician health standards freecoatnails.com+15self.com+15lollipopnailstudio.com+15.

  🔹 Freecoat Nails — Charlotte, NC

  A non‑toxic beauty bar franchise launched by Clean Juice founders. They feature medical-grade air filtration and toxin-free polish in three local locations freecoatnails.com+1axios.com+1.

  🔹 Paint Nail Bar — Various U.S. Cities

  Offers a fume‑free environment using premium, solvent‑free products and high sterilization standards in a stylish setting paintnailbar.com.

  🔹 dear Sundays — New York City, NY

  A fully vegan, 10‑free salon. Their polishes, dissolvents, and oils are free from common toxins thenailhall.com+15dearsundays.com+15dearsundays.com+15.

  🔹 Huega Nail Studio — Bentonville, AR

  A toxin‑free, eco-conscious salon using 7‑free polishes and sustainably sourced tools and furniture dearsundays.com+15huega.co+15tenoverten.com+15.

  🔹 Eco Nails Salon — Troy, Birmingham, MI

  An all‑natural, chemical‑free full‑service spa focusing on manicures, pedicures, reflexology, and waxing byrdie.com+3econailssalon.com+37amnails.com+3.

  🔹 Lollipop Nail Studio — Locations in NYC and beyond

  One of the pioneers in non‑toxic salons since 2012. They use handmade, safer polish and strictly sterilized tools lollipopnailstudio.com.

  🔹 The Nail Hall — Washington, D.C.

  A fully non‑toxic nail bar and event space offering long-lasting, clean nail color in a relaxing environment thenailhall.com.

  
  

  🧭 Tips for Finding a Clean Salon Near You

  • Look for salons that explicitly describe themselves as non-toxic, 7‑free, or 10‑free.

  • Check for features like fume‑free polish, medical-grade air filtration, ventilated manicure stations, and vegan or organic product lines.

  • Ask if they offer waterless pedicures to reduce chemical exposure and risk of infection econailssalon.com+15byrdie.com+15paintnailbar.com+15.

  • Bring up reproductive and neurological safety, especially if you're pregnant, have asthma, or environmental sensitivities.
    

⭐ Indianapolis Area

Cute Nails Salon (Indianapolis)Uses eco-friendly, non-toxic, fair-trade and cruelty-free products; prioritizes health of clients and techs self.com+7cutenailssalon.com+7m.yelp.com+7

City Nail Bar (Indianapolis) offers “5‑7‑9 free” safer polishes, LED lamps, and vented, waterless manicure stations mycitynailbar.com

Revive Nails (Indianapolis) specializes in non-toxic, odorless dipping powder—described as a healthier alternative to acrylics m.yelp.com+5revivenailsindy.com+5voguenailspaindianapolis.com+5

Vogue Nail Spa (Indianapolis)Offers “odor-free and chemical-free nail enhancement” options like gel and dipping powders reddit.com+3voguenailspaindianapolis.com+3verywellhealth.com+3

No. 7 Salon + Spa (Indianapolis) provides organic, paraben-free manicures and pedicures using Piggy Paint (a non-toxic polish) cutenailssalon.com+13no7salonandspa.com+13reddit.com+13

⭐ Greater Indianapolis Suburbs

HV Nail Studio (Fishers, IN 46037) focuses on organic pedicures, gel polish, dipping powder, and high sanitation standards 

Abnet Nail Bar (Carmel, IN – Salon Lofts Cool Creek)Uses top-grade organic products and essential oils; specializes in natural nails naturalnailllc.com+3salonlofts.com+3hvnailstudio.com+3

⭐ Northwest Indiana

milk + honey | Gold Coast (Valparaiso)Top-rated “non-toxic” salon in the Valparaiso area m.yelp.com+3m.yelp.com+3yelp.com+3

Serenity Salon & Spa (Valparaiso)Also listed as a top Valparaiso non-toxic nail salon on Yelp mycitynailbar.com+7m.yelp.com+7yelp.com+7 ~Kimberly