HEMA & Nail Product Allergies 

Liz requested that I briefly explain the difference between HEA and HEMA. HEA (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate) is the acrylated version and HEMA (Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) methacrylated version of the same base resin. The methacrylated versions of the resins that we use in our industry are typically less allergenic to use than the acrylated versions of the same resin type. The methacrylated versions also have less heat generated during curing and will usually have better gloss after curing. This is all assuming that the main structure of the resin is the same between the acrylated and methacrylated versions. So, HEA will be faster curing, less exothermic and have a better gloss than HEMA. The same will hold true for THFA vs THFMA and others

I'm chemist and nail technician student I'm so happy to watch that kind of video. Thank you so much.

I strongly believe that a product containing free HEMA shouldn't be sold to the general public for obvious reasons! It's cheap af but the cost and chance of developing an unbearable allergy to it seems too likely and carries a higher cost! Folk who have less education tend to rely heavily on cheaper products sadly. People should also know that acrylic isn't fully cured until maybe a full day or two later and that when you are filing/finish filing the acrylic you are creating a powdery aerosol of uncured acrylic and that it's imperative to learn how to lay liquid and powder as perfectly as you could possibly to reduce this effect and possible cause of allergies!

So glad you two are working together! You were someone I have followed & trusted for the last 5 years Liz & I love that Jim is bringing his expertise into mainstream! Education = Elevation!!! Thank You!

I noticed Jim when it popped up on my instagram and I too want to know what I'm putting on my body, everyone should educate themselves on all these chemicals,knowledge is power! Thank you so much for all these educational videos as there is nothing like this anywhere, brilliant!

Thank you for explaining this so wonderfully. You took the time to make certain the information was clear, but never talked down to us, or dumbed-down the information. You work very well, together, as educators! I was feeling quite hazy on the subject of HEMA, but now I have a grasp of the issue and know what to look for. Jim, you’re terrific and a fantastic teacher. Liz, you are amazing and teach me something new in every video. Thanks for all you do.

Loving this series. You are supplying us with a lot of important information for professionals and diyers alike. Because of your gel fundamentals series I already have created a lot of good habits. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge

Thank you SO MUCH for making this video!!!! I just recently developed an allergy to nail products and I was feeling super alone in this as I've never heard of this before. It's been really frustrating to give up my guilty pleasure and go back to having paper thin ugly nails. Thanks for letting me know there are alternative products, how to find them, and what to avoid!!!!

Thank you Liz and Jim, I love the big words and the chemistry we should all know in our industry to help build trusting relationships with our clients❣Thanks again for sharing🙂

I'm UK based and just do my nails at home. I wish Light Elegance would offer the intro to gel type courses similar to The Gel Bottle - would love to move purely to Light Elegance, but I probably will never professionally do nails so hard to get one general qualification to then move to Light Elegance. If anyone else in the comments feel the same and found a way around it, I'd love to know! Love these videos, you two are the best for educating the public! Feel like I understand so much more of what gel products are

This is an amazing educational channel! So happy I found you. I was just looking for some info about e files and have been gaining so much more!!

I love learning the technical side of nails, all the information you provide is so appreciated!

That was so awesome!!! I have been doing natural nails for a while now and have just started getting into hard gels. So exciting to have this info!!! Thank you 😊

Thank you so much Nail Hub andJim for your time and expertise!

Thanks for this! I love that your channel discusses these things- aside from just videos with you doing nails, your videos have been so educational.

Brilliant! You’re both doing a service to our industry by sharing your extensive knowledge. Thank you so so much!

So glad to see this video, it's much needed! I love your tact too, given the situation in the UK at the moment, with certain imported gel products, it certainly is a hot topic yet I'm always amazed how many tech's are still blissfully unaware of potential danger. Looking forward to part 2.

Thank you so much for this video! I am a stay at home mom and I just do my nails at home for fun. I have recently developed an allergy and wasn’t sure what was causing it. I am so sad because I don’t want to have to stop doing my nails. Thank you for the information!

I have lupus so it’s so important that I’m extra mindful of the products I’m using around my skin. I didn’t know LE paid so much attention to these chemicals and how we’re using them. I’m so pleased to hear they are so concerned with these issues! I’m gonna have to reach out to them to see if we could partner up and spread the word!

This is so educational and informative!!!! Thank you SO much for sharing! I recently found out that I am allergic to HEMA and never understood what it is until I watched this video! You guys are amazing! Thank you so much for taking the time to break this down and explain. I am a DIY-er. And I will definitely be looking into the Light Elegance brand. I appreciate this series, and all your videos so very much! 🙏🏼 Please don't ever stop bringing such valuable content, Liz!! Thank you!

I really apricate the two of sitting down and making it very clear the difference between all of the ingredients. Now that I know the difference I will sit up and take notice. I will be going through all my stuff and getting rid of all the bad stuff. Thank you for your time and Jim I will be checking out you pages and learning a whole lot more thank you

Thank you!!! My professors know nothing about acrylic allergies and When I started school I let them know I was allergic! So thank you for this video!!!

I was already thinking of switching to light elegance as one of my brands but this video has confirmed it. Thanks

Love so much how you break things down. So good to have this information out so people can make educated decisions. Good stuff. Thank you.

Another great video!!! Thanks so much for all your videos. I always learn something from your videos and it definitely makes me like LE a lot more now.

Awesome video! Now my desk is littered with bottles of gel polish and top coat 🤔. Will check out acrylic powder and liquid tomorrow. Thank you both for the great explanations. Loving this series and can't wait to check out Jim's Chemist Corner.

Thank you so much much for breaking this information down for me. I’m so glad that I found this video. I happen to be a newly licensed nail technician and suffered a bad reaction to products while in nail tech school. My allergy test showed that I have allergic contact dermatitis due to acrylic chemicals. This video has helped me understand the what and why piece to my mysterious puzzle. I have more knowledge about why allergies than I got in class or from the Dermatologist. Thank you again for this information.

Omigosh thank you both so much for this; you just answered SO many questions I've been curious since I started doing nails. I appreciate this so much. :)

I started as a nail tech September last year and in the last 2 months developed allergies to Uv gel product. I’m still trying to understand everything that was said. Very interesting though thank you.

Thank you for these great videos!!!! Your killing it this year ❤

Extremely informative, the best educational youtube channel on nails, anatomy, chemical reactions, uses, no nos, ect. I think at this stage, im ready for my exam, . 😁😁😁 thank you nail hub... x💅💅💅💪💪💪💜💜💜💜💜

I love this kind of video the more info is great specially for new techs that are staring and they understand alot more about their product....love the nail hub always full of great information and stuff....thank you for doing these kind of videos

Awesome video I will refer back to it❣ love all you do and now we have his videos too💎 Thank you both so much😘

Thank you so much for this education! I am allergic to HEMA and have had awful, horrible reactions to Beetles gel, specifically. I look forward to investing in this system! Thank you for the care the went into this formulation!

these videos are invaluable! you guys are so amazing - thank you both x

Wow! Not a nail tech, just a diy at home person - thank you for the information!

Absolutely brilliant can't wait for the next one!

Hi Liz, wow, I’m still quite new to doing nails, and I only do it on a little side line, I would never have thought that Therese chemicles could do so much harm, nothing like this was taught in my class, I definitely think more about the science behind it all should be compulsory in all countries, I’m going to watch more of your informative tutorials, thank you to you and Jim, xx

This video was refreshing to watch! I like to pay attention to what goes into my body so this was very informative.

Thank you for another substance-filled educating video!

Thank you so much for this video. I have pinned this video to a diy nail group I MOD in, to help educate the DIYers

I have used IBD hard gel for years without any problems. Recently I purchased an acid based primer. The first time I used it I didn't have any problem ,however the next I used it I had a very bad reaction. I had the red itchy cuticle followed by the blisters and now my fingers are peeling. Is this because of the acid primer? and if I go back to my nonacid primer will I have the same reaction? and how long is it going to take for my hands to heal?

That makes everything clear for me. I switched to a new monomer and one of my clients had a burning experience after I switched products. I only place gel on her now. I just checked the ingredients; Ethyl methylacrylate, glycol hema-methylacrylayte, HEMA. Do I need to worry about this? So far only 1 client had an allergic reaction. Thank you for teaching and explaining what the risk are. I love the nail hub fundamentals you break it down just how it is. Thank you Jim and Liz

I love Jimmy! I always can find answers if I have a concern!

Thanks so much for this video. I developed an allergy and had to do some research and found this. I have done my own nails for more than 40 years. The product lines have changed so much. I recently was on some heavy duty antibiotics and developed these like chemical burns on my fingers. After months of trying to get my fingers healed, I wanted information on why this happened and how to prevent it. Thanks again for giving me hope that I can still have beautiful nails!

Oh my goodness!!! Thank you so much!!! I have developed contact dermatitis with all the gel polishes I have! Which are bought on Amazon. Not top notch. I have been on the search for gel polish that I can use. I’m am so glad I came across this video!! I am going to give this brand a try. I hope it works for me. Thank you light elegance for making product with clients safety in mind!!! Thank you Liz for this video and educating us!!!

awesome! thank you guys for putting this information out there 🙏🏼

Thank You soooo much great and valuable information. Love this type of video

Great informative video!! Thanks Liz and Jim!!

Thank you both so much!

Another amazing video! 🙏🏻 thank you

You both opened my eyes and changed my whole world thank you. Also I LOVE that I didn't have to hear you say "Like and Subscribe" at the end!!! That is the ONLY reason why I hardly ever use RU-vid...that drives me NUTS!!! Plus ya'll have Great chemistry!

Which is the Video where you talk about uncured nails ? I recently started getting allergic to gel and acrylic, I was wondering if I can use press ons with glue ? Or would the gel polish on the press ons have me react Agian?

Thank you for making this trip informative video definitely has me more cautious

Very helpful video 👍 thanks for sharing!

Thanks guys for the lessons, VERY USEFUL:) 👌 ❤️

Yeah, I learned the hard way about hypoallergenic. Lost my eyelashes to mascara that way. Funny enough...I know what he's talking about, kinda. Haven't had a chemistry class in decades! Thank you for this video!

Ok. I need to follow Jim! Thank you ❤

Omg thank you!!! I just started to have reactions to some gel polishes after getting my nails done for 20 plus years /recently eye lash extension glue now too and going thru this process has been very saddening as I LOVE nails!!! i wished this info was better explained to customers bc MOST nail shops are not following proper guidelines and act like getting gel on your skin is not a big deal! I could've avoided my allergy!! im so sad!!

Can’t wait to watch this video. 🙌🏼

Wow! Thank you for this video, i'm a soon to be nail tech and I had no idea what hema was! I will pay more attention to what's in my products from now on😭

So... if I am possibly allergic to HEMA and I shop around to find a product low on HEMA will I still react? If I’m allergic to it full stop will I react to any amount of it?

Omg, I am so glad I found this video. I know it's old, but I just recently became allergic to gel polishes. I thought I was being so careful with not getting it on my skin, bit now I realize it could have been from my cleaning methods of the inhibition layer. 🤦‍♀️ I was def a jist rub all over kind of person. Luckily I became aware of it quickly, and my allergic reaction is still mild, so now I am looking for "healthier" options. Than you so much for the knowledge.

Very informative!! Thanks for sharing.

This video was very refreshing and so well explained I barely understood what what was said but yet I feel so much smarter and educated. Going to binge on this channel for the next few days I have a lot to learn 😍🥰✅🤓 got my book and chair just need some snacks 💞✅😂😂😂💎💎💎 thank you guys so much for this really

I don't know if you still do those Q&A videos but I have a question... how come many high quality nail brands won't sell you stuff unless you can prove you're a professional? I'm a DIYer but I still want to use good products!

Hi, I've been doing my own nails for almost two years and recently I've been presenting an allergy reaction that it consist on itching, redness, little blisters and hard skin under some nails. But I disinfect the areas with a liquid call Bactine and in a couple of days everything clears up does that means that I can still use gel polish or should I stop doing my nails

😢 i’m one of those people after three years, bam! I broke out in a severe reaction! It affected my arms, my face, my legs it was really bad in my system, and it took me a year close to a year, too, for my fingernails to heal for all of it to get out of my system in my nails, to totally grow out all of that a whole year off of my life, and doing nails! Not only did I have I had to go on anti-inflammatory shots, prednisone pain, medication, and special creams for my fingers! So a year and three months later, I tried a dipping powder system and the liquid Krazy glue type of stuff that’s in the bottles cost me another reaction! But thank God it wasn’t so severe this time, it only lasted about two months but, it wasn’t the same product in my first horrible reaction! My first horrible reaction was the humor in the cheap gel polishes, then I realized everything that I used with Hema, was an issue. As long as I put a good base product with several layers over my natural nail to protect my nail really well so I don’t exorbitant any of these products I can still use them as long as I am extremely careful that they don’t touch my cuticles before I cure! It’s too risky to have so much time with busted bleeding fingers.!!! So I did a Google search on Gemma free products and that’s when I found him a free builder gel’s in a bottle base and topcoat and when I tried them I was OK so that was my lifesaver right there the humor, free products, and if I have to have to use some type of a Hema type of a topcoat, I got these big magnifying glasses that I wear to make absolute Zero product on my bare nails or my skin surrounding my nails and underneath my nails. One drop on my skin will cause and reaction! And I cringe when I watch these videos of these young people that are just starting out learning on their own to do nails, not wearing gloves, touching products with their bare Unprotected fingers! I am not a nail tech thank God! This would’ve been devastating if I counted on this for a living😮 I’m always leaving comments letting people know please wear gloves. Please don’t touch the uncured product! Oh, also I wanted to mention when I had the Hema allergy break out I could not use any products like that new skin product. I couldn’t use any type of Sabbs or ornaments on my hands and fingertips only certain cream, and it had to be like Neosporin with pain, relief Like lidocaine

Jim is hilarious. Nothing like a good chemistry joke to round out a nail video. :D

This is exceptional content, thank you!!!

I developed an allergy to gel and acrylic but I have so many Apres nail tips, I was wondering if I could still use them with normal nail glue? (not allergic)

So I have been using the Beetle brand for 2 years and I haven't had a problem but I didn't know about HEMA until today and I am scared to use their products now since they do have HEMA in them. Would you recommend me to keep using them or change to a more natural brand?

What about a product that the first ingredient is di-hema but the second is hema? How does that work? would it be safer because of the di-hema or not a safe like something with the first ingredient being hema? the product is the gellie-cure by zoya

Thank you so much ❤❤❤❤

Thank you so much for this! I’ve had such terrible allergies and am trying to find alternatives , but couldn’t understand the difference between all these chemicals

very knowledge chemist!! thank you!! chemists are some of my fave clients!! and i have only met a handful in my 20 year career!! you are so lucky to have a chemist like that, i have to pray for them to come by lol 🤣 THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO & for making this awesome video 🤗 you guys rock 😇

Hey Liz! I've recently gotten into the gel nail world and after applying my first ever coat I was looking for more info on how to properly apply and remove gel polish. As you can probably imagine, my first attempt wasn’t anywhere near perfect. When searching for more info I came across a lot of videos of cool ideas but I needed the basics starting right at the beginning. I am so grateful that I came across your channel! The first one I watched was when you were removing your hubby’s gel polish and after that I had to start at the beginning. So much useful and practical information! I haven't caught up to the present yet but I look forward to watching the remaining videos and any new videos you upload. Thank you again! Oh, and let your nerd flag fly!

Thank you for this, I recently developed a horrible allergic reaction to gel, Beetles, Memeda, Aimeili HEMA free, Modelones, Markartt, Sensationail, and ASP gel builder. I had to get rid of it all. Now I am back to regular nail polish which makes me sad since I enjoyed not having a dry time and being able to have my manicure last for weeks instead of days. Thank you for this info.

Informative video, something to look out for.

I bought hema free gel builder and top coat as I've been getting the itchy fingers and blisters with other gel products but I can feel my cuticle area starting to tingle , do you recommend anything else maybe a good nail wrap that won't cause a reaction as it's driving me crazy. Thankyou

I'm using IGel gel polish and the ingredient list reads different than what you mentioned but similar. I'm not sure which it would be. Listed on the bottle as: acrylates copolymer, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, followed by the other additives. Would this be HEA or HEMA?

This is awesome!! Thank you!!

I’ve struggled so much because I love doing my nails so much, and invested so much in it- however I’m so allergic to something within dip nails and gel nails. This is so interesting because maybe I can find something that would work with my skin

Is hema only in monomer? Is there any danger in acrylic powders? Or if I develop an allergy I should be fine only replacing my monomer and keeping all my powder?

Hi, what is trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide...and is it ok if its not the first ingredient? I am dipping and was using pink dip as base with peel gel...but over the last few months either I've efiled too much or when dip lifts it pulls off nail. I wanted to try gel base with gel builder instead of pink dip but I want to use the right base and builder gel.for my test. I picked triple d but it has tdo in it. No HEMA. My story is long but 5 years ago I had an allergic reaction to something in g. Long story short is i went to salon and asked for soak off gel and they gave he hard gel....i learned that after I tried soaking in acetone way too long to get it off. My fingers were not allergic to gel before this happened. I think overexposure to the acetone screwed up my fingers......it took me probably a year to get over that.

Thank you for explaining what that allergy can look like.

I absolutely love your channel i think you deserve 10x the amount of subs. You are SO educational on the imporant things unlike alot of channels ( including my own lol ) xx

I developed an allergy from a new top coat & all of the sudden I'm allergic to all of the stuff I used before, like Markartt & Born Pretty. I invested so much money & here I am. I have to start from new. But this time I'm extra careful & I try everything before doing a whole set.

One question i have been dying to learn. As to why buying a systems uv light is soo important instead of using a one-type-cures-all uv light. The chemist breakdown of uv wavelengths. Why one 48w 31 diode led light can not cure a gel polish (universal brand) vs a 9w 6 diode light (of brand) completely curing the same gel. When they both claim 400+ ohms.

Thank you so much for this video! Does HEMA mainly affect people when it’s cured vs un-cured? Is there a difference?

Hi Liz. I have been watching tons of videos and trying to figure out where I went wrong. I broke out with contact dermatitis and I start psych testing on March 13th to see what I'm allergic to. I have seen so many experts say there are warning signs however I never had a warning signs until I had a full breakout. I had the peeling and blisters. It was interesting to find out acetone plays a big part of this when I thought I was safely taking my nails off. Your videos have been so informative. I'm hoping when I do my patch testing it will be something simple like the glue or hema. I love arcylic nails but I'm so scared I will never be able to do acrylic again. Thank you for all your hard work and information in your videos.

Hey Liz, what about ‘HEMA Copolymer’? Are they more similar to bound HEMA?

I’m so glad you said how companies are legally bound to provide MSDS sheets. I recently developed an allergy to HEMA. And now I switched to light elegance. But I had another company in mind, but they wouldn’t provide an msds sheet unless I purchased product... so I told them thanks but I don’t purchase your product unless I know what is inside. Then all the sudden... they said the CEO said it was ok to send me the msds sheet. I don’t trust the company now.

Thank you so much for this amazing information. Just a question what is your opinion on the "Russian manicure" technique where the proximal nail fold is lifted up and removed...would this create a higher chance of getting allergies and for products to be absorbed into the bloodstream etc? Thanks

Thank you so much for this most valuable chemical info as I’m discovering that I’m allergic to HEMA! I think my technician switched up on their product because I was not having any allergic nail problems until two months ago. I got my fill in done and within minutes later I started itching, tenderness and swelling in my cuticles!! I actually scratched a pus filled blister on my thumb!!! 😝 I haven’t told my tech as of yet because I thought it was me doing something wrong and I’ve been going thru the process of elimination! I have a habit of cutting my cuticles off so this recent fill in I didn’t do until they grew completely back and let the tech correctly clean the area! Great job! However, I still developed the HEMA allergic reaction but not as severe. Mildly, but still itching and irritation. So now, thanks to you!!! I will tell my tech and see about them or I, getting my own personal non HEMA solution so I can still wear my acrylic nails! THANK YOU ☺️

Great video and information!

I've been looking up HEMA on the internet and you've solved all of my questions. Great video! Question: One of my gel nail polishes has "di-hema trimethylhexyl". Can this potentially cause an allergic reaction?

Thank you very much, this is so importart. Xx

Hi I know this is off topic, but could Jim please explain why “when nail glue comes in contact with clothing it has a chemical reaction and burns 🥵 the skin through the clothing

Hello. thank you for such a helpful video. if I will use HEMA free base coat and on top I will use products with HEMA (avoiding the skin) will it help to reduce allergy reaction? thank you