Hi Jim, I’m so glad I found LE and visited headquarters Feb 28! I just got tested and the results came back to HEMA allergy, methyl methacrylate allergy and mercaptomix…. Hope you can tell that LE doesn’t have any of these
I love these videos so much. I have a HEMA allergy and seeing “Di-HEMA” on a product ingredient list used to confuse me. Thanks for keeping us educated Jim!
My brand has Di hema in it and I worried that it's something not as good because I love the brand and the products available. I'm glad it's the opposite and it's as safe as it can be!
this is an older video, but does curing properly under UV/LED "neutralize" the monomer HEMA? and would that prevent allergies? The ingredients in a popular gel base: acrylate/carbamate copolymer, carboxyethyl acrylate, ethoxydiglycol acrylate, hema, trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphne oxide
Hi Jim - this isn't quite about HEMA per se but it is about potential allergens in gel formulations. Would you say those semicured gel strips on the market that are rapidly increasing in popularity are unsafe by design? Could they be made safely? They claim to be only 60% cured and you apply them with bare hands like nail stickers...
Hi Jim, always enjoy your chemist corner videos! I have a question. In one of your recent videos, you tested how much light gets absorbed by a full coverage plastic tip, and you estimated it to be about 30%, which you said could be compromising the curing of the underlying gel. And I agree, that is quite a lot, especially considering (as we know from you) that not-fully cured gel is a no no because of the potential allergies around Hema. I was quite surprised to learn about this, because using gel to adhere full coverage tips is ALL over the market, and huge in the nail industry. Would you be further able to explain your concerns, I do think this is something that needs to be discussed 👍
Great question! I also want to know this. I can't find that video yet so apologies if this is addressed already, but would curing that plastic tip for longer solve any of the problems?
@@michellelee644 Good question, Jim didn’t mention that in the video, so I’m not clear if it’s just a matter of curing for longer…? Hopefully Jim can help clarify for a bit. The video I referred to is titled “Lamp Breakdown and Cure Thickness” from about a month ago 👍
Hi emsk260 - the full coverage tips are great and are very popular. The easiest solution to the information that I observed in my testing is that a good curing light that has good power is the most important solution. It should be noted that the curing light should be one that was tested by the gel manufacturer and has a proven record of success. My concern is that someone would purchase a light that is not recommended by the gel manufacturer for the purpose of curing the gel through the full-well tip and result in an increase in allergies. It is important to use the system as it is designed by the manufacturer.
What about ingredients as follows:. Iso-Bornylacrylate, Polyethylacrylate, Diphenyl(2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyl) Phosphine Oxide, 1-Hydroxy-Cyclochexyl Phenyl Ketone, Ethyl Methacrylate. That is all the ingredients in a gel polish I just purchased claiming hema and di-hema free, less chance of a reaction. I have an allergy. It came out of nowhere and I'm miserable! Also would I be allergic to acrylic powder "old school" nails now? I NEVER had one to powders before. Would this gel be safe to use? HELP! PLEASE.... Thank you.
So, the hema molecule is so small that it can enter your bloodstream which is what then would create an autoimmune over reaction (allergic) and when bound to another it is not. But you can still inhale it, when filing, which is also going to ignite the immune, potentially. Once you have an allergy, then.. well, it’s both. But if you have an allergy, you can still work with Bis and Di? What about temperatures? Like semi-cured products that are not hema free but partially cured? Or other forms of fumes? And all of your products are free? I just came down with a massive seems to be sudden, in hindsight it was creeping up, to hema. And I need a product I can trust because my nails need protecting now, as they recover, heal, rebuild and … I just want them to look nice, done up:) This is a lot of questions but? I could email to ask! I just feel bad asking for free advice:)
Hi Kelly - The HEMA molecule is smaller than the oligomers and many other resins used in gel nail products but that is not the main issue. Our bodies seem to register HEMA monomer as an intruder and then tries to reject the HEMA monomer by using histamines to get rid of the HEMA monomer. If the HEMA monomer is bound to other building blocks to form an oligomer, our bodies do not seem to register it as an intruder and not reject is as commonly as the HEMA monomer. I have worked with people who have been diagnosed by a physician to have an allergy to HEMA monomer who were able to use the bound HEMA (Bis-HEMA ... and Di-HEMA... ) without an allergic response. You are correct - we do not have any free HEMA monomer in most of our products. We are just now formulating it out of one product we call PowerBond. HEMA monomer was added to a raw material in PowerBond and now we have found a way to not use that one raw material. Advise here is freely given in hopes that we can become more educated in sharing our experiences and knowledge. I will be the first to state that I do not know everything about this but I do know a fair amount and I try to constantly learn. You can email me at jim@mclabs.us.com for more information.
@@jimmcconnell6079 you! Thank you🙏 this is the most clearly explained (content and then answer) I have come across. There is sooo much not real answers it’s like trying to pull Bermuda grass from your 1/2 acre yard to find good answers on line anymore:) I appreciate this!
Hi Jim, I really love your videos and have learned a lot from watching them! I'm wondering about "acrylate oligomer". I've never seen it on an MSDS apart from a gel polish I bought recently. Is it safe to use or is it likely to cause allergies?
what is a safe level of hema if the majority of the product is di-hema?? the gel bottle all in one gels are they safe to use? it’s like 7-8% hema and mostly di-hema!!
It is my opinion that for most people, HEMA at levels less than 12% is what I would consider to be safe. Any level of an oligomer that uses Di-HEMA or Bis-HEMA is generally regarded as safe at any concentration. Always be careful to avoid skin contact.
Can you please tell me if my colour product is safe? It contains the following: Polyurethane acrylate oligamer, HEMA ( 2- Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate), Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone, Bis-Trimethybenzoy Phenyphosphine Oxide, Pigment
Hi Maryanne - the ingredient list seems a bit short but there are vital ingredients on the list and it could be a fine list. The term, "Polyurethane Acrylate Oligomer" was an acceptable name many years ago but for today's purposes, it must be an INCI (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients) name. It is safe to use but if the concentration of HEMA is too high, then some may be more prone to develop an allergy to the product. Can you tell me more about the product? Jim
@@jimmcconnell6079 I bought these products from a non EU country, however it is a very reputable cosmetic chain store. Is there a private domain where I can send you more details. I truly appreciate your reply and your interest.
@@jimmcconnell6079 on some others which come in a bottle form not in a small pot, I have the following ingredients listed. However these are meant for the soak off gel line. Acrylates Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Butyl Acetate, Dimethicone, Cera Microcristallina, CI 15880, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77891, CI 77163, CI 77007, CI 77266.
Hi Kayla, Bis-PMMA is not HEMA and if you are allergic to HEMA in some gel polishes (not all gel polishes contain HEMA), then you should be OK using that glue.
@@jimmcconnell6079 thank you for replying. I'm allergic to gel polish and not acrylic nails. Does that mean it is the hema I have an issue with? I can not work it out at all.
@@kayla-jr2wz I wish that I could determine what you are allergic to in the gel polish that you are using. Is the acrylic system that you are using HEMA monomer free? What about the gel. polish material - is it HEMA monomer free?
@@jimmcconnell6079 the gel polish was bluesky very high hema content and the acrylic I don't know I get them done in a salon. I'm guessing it's not hema free monomer
The Di-HEMA is fine but the HEMA could be an issue for someone who has sensitivity to HEMA monomer. If someone doesn't have a sensitivity to HEMA monomer, then everything is fine.
when wiping off the residue with the wipes, make sure you are not touching the skin, with the uncured gel residue, on the wipes and washing hands before oil will help too.
