Acrylic nails are one of the favorite trends in the beauty industry. They are long-lasting, durable and allow you to enjoy the beauty of wearing acrylic nails without taking a risk with your natural nails. But is that all they can offer? Is there any potential to ruin your natural nails with them?
Acrylics can damage your nails. It’s important to take good care of them after getting them done so that they don’t break or become weak again over time.
If you’re considering getting acrylic nails, there are a few things you need to know about the long-term effects of wearing them.
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What Causes Acrylic to Damage Nails?
There are many reasons why acrylic nails can cause damage to your natural nails, but here are the most common:
1.The Nails Are Too Short
If your nails are too short, they won’t be able to support their own weight. The acrylic will have a hard time holding up the nail itself, so it will start lifting off before it has a chance to grow in properly. This can lead to chipping and peeling very quickly once it does grow in fully!
2. Poor Application
A common cause of acrylic nail damage is poor application. The client should be educated on how to apply nails and what to expect during the process. The technician should check for weak or broken nail tips, which can lead to peeling and breakage. He or she should also ensure that the client has all their nails filed down to a nice smooth surface.
3. Harsh Chemicals
The chemicals from acrylics can seep into the nail bed and destroy healthy cells, causing an accumulation of dead skin cells on top of each other. These cells build up over time until they form a hard layer that cannot be removed without damaging healthy cells below the surface of your nail bed.
How to Repair Damage From Acrylic Nails?
While acrylics aren’t the most natural option for your nails, they can be repaired with a few simple steps. Just follow these simple steps to repair damaged acrylic nails:
Step 1: Clean Nails
First, clean your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. This will remove any dirt or oil from the surface of your nail that would make it difficult for the polish to adhere properly.
Step 2: Apply Base Coat
Next, apply a base coat of color to your damaged nails. This will help strengthen them and protect them against further damage until you can get them fixed in a salon or at home by another method later on. If there’s too much damage to apply a base coat directly over top of the damaged area.
Step 3: Apply Two Coats of Color Polish
After applying your base coat of color polish, apply two coats of regular color polish over top of it to cover up the damage underneath completely so that it doesn’t show through when you’re finished.
Step 4: Apply Cuticle Oil
Cuticle oil helps prevent dryness and cracking around the cuticle area of the nail bed. Apply cuticle oil every night before bedtime so that it has plenty of time to absorb into your skin and moisturize your cuticles overnight.
You can also use cuticle oil during the day as needed while doing housework or other tasks where you might be washing your hands frequently throughout the day.
Do Acrylics Damage Your Nails Permanently?
No, the acrylic nail extensions that you choose to wear will not damage your natural nails permanently. However, if you do not maintain them properly, then they can cause damage to your natural nails.
You do not have to worry about ruining your nails after one time wearing acrylic nails. As long as you take good care of them, they should last for several weeks before needing a refill or removal.
Is It Ok to Wear Acrylic Nails for Years?
It is okay to wear acrylic nails for years as long as they are taken care of properly. You will need to make sure that they are maintained by getting refills every 3-4 weeks depending on how fast your nails grow and what type of acrylic nails you have chosen (gel vs powder).
If your nails are healthy and you take care of them properly then there is no reason why you cannot wear these for years!
Can Your Nails Be Healthy After Acrylics?
You might be wondering, “Can my nails be healthy after acrylics?” The answer is, yes! You can have healthy nails after getting acrylics. However, it’s important to get them removed when they are no longer needed or if they start compromising your natural nail growth.
Why Are My Nails So Thin After Acrylics?
If you’re worried about thickness, there are some things you can do to help them grow back faster. First, make sure that you’re eating plenty of protein foods like eggs and fish so that your body has all the vitamins and minerals it needs for strong nails.
If it’s been more than two months since your last appointment, consider getting another one; however, if this isn’t possible or practical, try applying cuticle oil daily or using an emery board instead of biting down on your nails.
Can Acrylic Polish Cause Damage to Your Natural Nails?
Acrylic nail polish can cause damage to your natural nails if it is not properly removed and cleaned. If you allow the polish to dry on your fingers, it can cause dehydration of the cuticle and skin around the nail bed. This can result in dryness, irritation and even infection if not treated properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will acrylic nails last?
Acrylic nails are known to last for up to two weeks, depending on how well you take care of them. The more attention you pay to your nails, the longer they will last.
How do I remove my acrylic nail polish?
You can use acetone-based nail polish remover or non-acetone nail polish remover to remove your acrylic nail polish. Be careful when using acetone-based nail polish removers as they can damage natural nails and cuticles if applied directly on them.
What causes the ridges in my acrylic nails?
If there are ridges in your acrylic nails, it is likely due to poor application or curing process. There can also be other reasons such as incorrect filing or buffing of the surface layer of your natural nail.
Conclusion
Ultimately, a lot of it has to do with preparation. Make sure that you’re trimming, buffing, and filing your natural nails beforehand. Keep them trimmed and healthy, too (that’s no secret).
Treat them with a strengthening product and you’ll be set to go–and rest assured that you won’t have to worry about your acrylics ruining your natural nails!
Sources
ARTIFICIAL NAILS: DERMATOLOGISTS’ TIPS FOR REDUCING NAIL DAMAGE
5 Ways Acrylics Can Damage Your Nails — and How to Prevent It From Happening
https://www.makeup.com/nails/all-nails/do-acrylics-damage-your-nails
We Ask a Derm: Are Acrylic Nails Bad for You?
https://www.purewow.com/beauty/are-acrylic-nails-bad-for-you
