Ikon.iQ Nails of Sweden
Hypoallergenic gel nail products
Perceived and created in 2009 in response to a marked increase in nail product allergies following the introduction
of unregulated products into the consumer and professional market. This extensive gel range is not only rare in that it is truly hypoallergenic but also one of the best performing. That's quite a powerful combination!
From a simple gel colour application to extreme hard wearing extensions and everything in between.... there will
be the perfect product for you in this range.
You've never heard of them? So, who are Ikon.iQ Nails?
That makes sense. The company is pretty niche, no mass production, every product is developed and made within the company with the help of an on-board chemist and all conforms to the highest EU cosmetic safety regulations.
They are a smaller company driven by passion and ethics. Not just the determination to make products that are ultra-safe to work with and to wear, but also to perform to standards high enough to win in the toughest competitions.
I am happy to go to the trouble to import this product direct from their outlet in Germany because I have never found a comparable brand here in the UK.
​
What is meant by hypoallergenic for gel nail products?
Hypoallergenic products are designed to ensure you don't develop allergies in the first place. However, even if you already have, there is a good chance that you will still be able to wear Ikon.iQ Nails gel products as the elements you react to are very likely not present. Ikon.iQ Nails products are formulated using more obscure acrylates that are not considered a high risk for triggering an auto-immune reaction.
There's no guarantee, it depends on the severity of your condition, but I do have several clients who can happily wear Ikon.iQ gels, even though they had previously developed allergic reactions to other brands.
​
​
What causes nail product allergies?
The biggest culprit is something called 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, mercifully it's
called HEMA for short which is a lot easier to say!
It's use is strictly limited in both EU (including the UK) and USA cosmetic safety regulations. However, in China there are no safety regulations at all. So, the emergence of Chinese gel products containing very high concentrations of HEMA over the last few years has created something of an allergy epidemic. Chinese gels are easily available for the DIY market via many popular large shopping websites and even some apparently professional brands are currently being imported from factories in Shenzhen in the Guandong Province!
High concentrations of HEMA enable low cost production and elongated wear time.
​
Why you don't want a nail product allergy!
Once affected there's no cure, worse, HEMA is a 'gateway' allergen, meaning that once you become allergic to this particular methacrylate you are much more likely to adopt a reaction to others over time, creating a snowball effect.
​
Eventually there will be no nail products you can wear, you may also develop reactions to certain glues and other products that contain acrylates. Of most concern is that HEMA is present in surgical adhesives used in operations and
dental treatments, something you might need one day!
Switch to Ikon.iQ Nails gel products at Care and Flair
Make your safety and wellbeing a certainty without sacrificing the things you love! Pretty nails shouldn't put your health at risk, and all manner of reliable nail services are possible without the nasties... Why not take a look at my full list of services here.
​