What are the potential consequences of inhaling dust from filing gel or acrylic nails?

                          

Over the course of a year, an average working stylist may inhale as much as approx..Statistics show that 4 kg of dust is produced when filing gel or acrylic nails.
Gel or acrylic dust that becomes airborne is almost invisible to the human eye.It's only when you sweep it up with a broom that you notice it—and you might be quite surprised by it..
How much dust gets into your lungs??
It all depends on how well you can protect yourself from this pest.If you work without protective gear, you put yourself at risk of developing allergic skin conditions, bronchial asthma, and even pneumoconiosis.Although the dust acts slowly and isn't immediately corrosive, it should not be underestimated at all.The dust problem affects your customers as well, but compared to them, you spend much more time in a dusty environment.
Below, I will describe how to protect yourself from the consequences of exposure to dust using products available on the market, highlighting the pros and cons of these items.

Surgical Masks.
Pros: This is one of the best and most affordable methods that provide you with direct protection against inhaling airborne dust.It's best to replace the mask on a "new customer, new mask" basis.
Cons: Your client won't see your smile and may feel like she's in a hospital treatment room.A mask is not 100 percent protection.

A stationary dust collector placed on a table.
Pros: The main advantage of this type of absorber is its relatively low purchase and operating costs.It also serves as a manicure cushion.Quick replacement of the filter or dust bag.
Cons: You can clearly hear the airflow from the spinning fan, which may interfere with communication with the client.Suction to the window.40–50% dust when working almost directly over the inlet.Frequent replacement of dust bags.The Trouble with Cleaning Fan Blades.

In my opinion, the design of these absorbers is not well thought out.Yes, while the shape is fine, its performance as a dust collector is poor..The filter—that is, the bag—quickly gets clogged with dust, creating something like a sealed pot.Once this very light dust has been forced into the bag, the force of the airflow causes some of it to flow back out.In fact, such an absorber only functions properly during the first few runs.Then it may become a pollinator rather than a consumer.
If you decide to use this type of air filter, choose one with a dense mesh screen to protect the fan.If, while styling a nail, you need to remove the hand that’s supporting it and the client’s finger accidentally drifts toward the air intake, at least the fan blades won’t ruin your work.

A stationary, flat dust collector built into a table top.
Pros: visually, you have more space on your table.Low purchase and operating costs.Quick filter replacement.
Cons: Most models have low power.You can hear the air being sucked in.Suction capacity up to approx..40–50% dust.Completely emptying the dust container can be time-consuming.

In my opinion, this solution is poor in terms of functionality.As in the previous case, the filters/bags clog quickly and the dust comes back out..

Lamp-Equipped Absorber.
Pros: It provides targeted lighting for the work area and sucks up dust that rises into the air.A good complement to stationary air purifiers.
Cons: Small dust container capacity.Low dust absorption rate.When the small filter is replaced frequently, some dust may spill out.The light bulb in the lamp gets dusty very quickly.Quite expensive to operate.To take full advantage of this dust collector, it must be placed close to the nails being filed, which in turn can obstruct visibility during manicures or pedicures.

Central dust collector built into the tabletop.
Pros: Currently, probably the best solution for nail technicians.The central unit with the motor can be placed in a different room or, for example, in the basement or attic.The motor power can be selected as needed, making it possible to connect even several workstations to a single central unit via a channel.Very high dust extraction efficiency—up to 90%.The dust is drawn down from a height of approx..30 cm above the tabletop.All you can hear is a quiet hum while it's sucking.Very low operating costs.The dust bag in the vacuum cleaner's central unit needs to be replaced only rarely.The bag has a large capacity.Another advantage of a central absorber is its very long service life.It depends on the company, but it's safe to say that it's virtually trouble-free.
Cons: It can be expensive to buy.Due to the duct layout, it is best to plan the installation of such an air handler during the design phase of the beauty salon.This absorber is sold only at specialized service centers.

Milling Machines with Dust Collectors.
Until recently, milling machines with built-in dust collectors achieved a dust collection efficiency of up to about 80%.Now, thanks to modern technologies, they achieve results of up to 95%.Podiatrist drills are designed primarily for podiatrists, who, in the course of their work, are exposed not only to nail dust but also to various microorganisms and bacteria found on the skin of the feet.They must be adequately protected against the effects of dust settling.
As a nail technician, you can use this nail drill to file nails.While milling, it removes dust from the air.
Pros: You can use the nail drill with a dust collector for both manicures and pedicures.
It is characterized by very high suction capacity.With some models, there is absolutely no possibility of dust escaping to the outside.Quiet operation of the milling machine and dust collector (depending on the model).
Cons: These routers aren't exactly the cheapest.There is a humming noise during suction.The suction hose should be cleaned regularly.Make sure to use high-quality filters.Operating these milling machines is relatively expensive.

Just as you can always find a little dust even in the cleanest apartment, you probably won't be able to completely get rid of gel or acrylic dust in your studio either.
One could also say that in every job there is a harmful environment that negatively affects a person's health, but the trick is to know how to deal with it as best as possible.

Marek Cyrulik – Lady's Nails Cosmetics
Published: May 2010.