Monomer and Polymer Nail Enhancements Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts, definitions, and types of monomer liquid and polymer powder nail enhancements.

Acrylic nails

Nail enhancements, also known as monomer liquid and polymer powder nail enhancements, created by combining a monomer liquid mixed with polymer powder in white, clear, pink, and many other colors.

Monomer

One unit or one molecule; derived from 'mono' meaning one and 'mer' standing for units.

Polymer

Many units or many molecules linked together in a chain; derived from 'poly' meaning many.

MMA (methyl Methacrylate)

A monomer liquid banned from nail enhancements in the 70s by the FDA because it is a poisonous and deleterious substance causing fingernail damage, deformity, contact dermatitis, allergies, and permanent nail loss.

EMA (Ethyl Methacrylate)

A monomer liquid widely used by professional nail manufacturers that has been declared safe and approved for use in the beauty industry because it does not damage the nail plate.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The agency that banned MMA from use in nail enhancements in the 70s after concluding it was a poisonous and deleterious substance.