Alternatives for Acrylic Nails ConsumersIn recent years, the concept of acrylic nails has become a big industry across the world. Occupying a significant proportion especially among females. The obsessive pursuit of beautification has led to the use of cosmetics as a means to achieve that perfect appearance. Although that perfect appearance may come with a hefty price tag. Acrylic nail consumers are rarely aware of the consequences of using highly harmful chemicals contained in artificial nails. Women are not aware of the major health complications that all the chemicals in acrylic nails cause when used. Artificial nails are used to enhance the appearance of natural nails and help hide their unpleasant appearance. Sometimes the length of natural nails is not as desired, in return the person no longer has to walk around with nails in this state. This is one of the reasons why many clients use acrylic nails instead, regardless of the side effects and health complications involved. Women have been wearing nail extensions since Egyptian times, and back then they had a completely different meaning than they do today. Wearing nail extensions made of bone, ivory and gold, Egyptian women used them as a sign of status and wealth. Artificial nails are very popular today, but they were also popular in early 19th century Greece, with many upper-class women wearing empty pistachio shells on their nails, slowly spreading the artificial trend across Europe. Fred Slack was a dentist who damaged his nail in 1954 while working. He used the materials he had at the clinic, a piece of sturdy aluminum foil to cover his nail, then applied a layer of repair substance on top. He was amazed at the result... middle of paper......never bored. They will never yellow or crack like acrylics, and you can expect 3-4 weeks before a refill is needed.” This is the most positive aspect of using gel nails, they are more of a protective shell for your natural nails. Works Cited Const, et al. "Screening for contact allergy to artificial nails". Contact Dermatitis 52.2 (2005): 73--77. Print.Madnani, Nina. “Nail cosmetics”. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and LeprologyVol78. Issue 3 (2014): 309-317. Print.Nails, The. “The health dangers of artificial nails”. She knows. Np, 2014. Web. April 30, 2014.VivaLaNails,. "The History of Artificial Nails". Np, 2008. Web. April 30, 2014. Wqmagonline.com. "What Your Nail Salon May Not Want You to Know". Np, 2014. Web. April 30, 2014. Malkan, Stacy. Not just a pretty face. 1st ed. Gabriola, British Columbia: New Society Pub., 2007. Print.