Have you ever had your acrylic nails popping off? You go in for a fill, and within a week (sometimes even two) they start to loosen. This can be frustrating and annoying. You are paying good money each visit to get them filled and you would probably want them to last as long as possible! So, why do acrylic nails keep popping off ?
The reason why your acrylic nails keep popping off is that there’s a gap between your nail and your cuticle. This gap allows moisture to seep into the nail bed, which causes nail fungus and other issues associated with having an unhealthy nail bed. Keeping your nail bed healthy is crucial for preventing acrylic nails from popping off frequently. This involves regularly cleaning and moisturizing your nails, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals that can damage the nail bed and applying a primer before acrylic nails to ensure they adhere properly and last longer.
When acrylic nails are applied incorrectly, the results are less than satisfactory. So, what can you do about it. Here’s a quick rundown of common acrylic nail problems and how to solve them.
Related Reading
- Do Acrylic Nails Ruin Your Natural Nails?
- How Are Acrylic Nails Done?
- What Are Acrylic Overlays?
- Do Acrylic Nails Hurt?
10 Reasons Why Your Acrylic Nails Keep Popping Off
Acrylic nails are a great way to get long and strong nails. But they can also be a pain if they keep breaking or popping off. Here are some reasons why your acrylic nails might keep popping off, and how to fix them!
1.Improper Preparation of Nail Bed
The first step in getting your nails done is preparing your natural nails for application of the acrylic powder and liquid. A professional manicure should include a proper cleaning and filing of your natural nails prior to application of any adhesives on your hands or feet. This is important because it will ensure that your nail beds are clean and smooth before anything else happens with your nails.
Solution
Here are some tips on how to prepare acrylic nails for application:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them with a clean towel.
- Use an orange stick to remove any dirt or oil from under your cuticles.( I recommend this Glass Cuticle Pusher by GLADZY)
- Apply cuticle remover to soften and loosen dead skin around the base of your fingernails. Let it sit for at least five minutes.
- File away debris and smooth out the surface of the nail bed using an emery board or buffing block (no filing should be necessary if you’re using gel nail polish). You can use this Japanese Nail Buffer and Shine Kit for a perfect file.
- Apply cuticle oil to moisturize the nail bed and reduce flaking during wear (optional).
2.No Primer Applied
When you get acrylics, the nail technician will put a layer of primer on your nails before adding the acrylic. The primer acts as an adhesive for the acrylic and helps it stick to your natural nail.
Solution
If you are a beginner, you need to know the basics of acrylic nails. The first step is applying the primer on your nails and let it dry completely. This will help in making your nail polish last longer as it prevents chipping and peeling off. Applying primer before painting your nails with nail polish will also help you in getting perfect results every time you apply it on your nails.
If you are on a budget but would love to get a quality primer, AIMEILI Nail Prep Bond Primer is top-notch. This primer acts as a barrier between your nails and nail polish so that the color does not get absorbed by your natural nail plate.
3.Your Nails Are Too Short Or Too Long
If your nails are too short or too long, it could be causing them to break easily. If they’re too short, then there’s not enough room for an acrylic to properly adhere. If this is happening to you, ask your nail tech if they could cut down on how much length they’re adding to your acrylics. If this doesn’t work, then you can always ask them to use a different type of adhesive like gel or acrylic that will allow for more flexibility.
Another Solution
You can wear French tips if your nails are really that short. Personally I can relate because I do have short natural nails that can not get acrylics to last as much as I would have wanted. So, I usually just wear gel French tips. My favorite are BTArtboxnails French Tip Gel Nail Tips Long Coffin. You can give them a try . Basically, they will fit from cuticle area to the free edge.
Here are some tips on how to choose the exact length of acrylic nails:
- Your cuticles should not be visible when looking at your fingernails from above. If they are visible, then it means that there is more nail than what is needed for covering up the cuticle area; hence, making it appear longer than usual.
- You must also take into consideration the thickness of your skin when choosing the length as well as shape and size of your nail bed. Take note that if you have thick skin, then it would mean that there will be less room for sticking acrylic nails. Which will also mean that the nail technician will have to apply enough gel to stick it
4.Unhealthy Nails
Now, here’s a no- brainer. Some people who get acrylic nails may have unhealthy nails that cannot support the weight of the acrylic. This is often due to the use of nail polish remover or harsh soaps that strip away the moisture from their hands and nails.
Solution 1: Healthy Foods
Eating a balanced and nutrient-rich diet can promote the growth and strength of your natural nails. And, if you have unhealthy nails from wearing too much acrylics, you can also try out these foods.
- Protein: Your nails are made up of a protein called keratin, so it’s only important to consume enough protein in your diet if you want healthy strong nails. You can get keratin from e lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
- Biotin: Get some Biotin, also known as vitamin H This is as important as protein for nail growth and strength. Try out eggs, almonds, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, and whole grains.
- Iron: Iron deficiency can lead to brittle nails ladies. Make sure your diet has enough iron . Some of the best sources of iron are ; red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, and fortified cereals.
- Zinc: This is my favorite . Zinc. Just like Iron is great for your nail. For Zinc, you should consume oysters, beef, pork, chicken, beans, nuts, and whole grains.
- Vitamin C: Lastly , Vitamin C . You can get vitamin C from citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, and broccoli.
Solution 2 : Supplements
If diet is a long approach for you and maybe you really don’t have the patience to wait that long. You can alternatively get nail supplements. Some of these supplements are;
| Item | Buy it on Amazon |
|---|---|
| Biotin Vitamins with Collagen & Keratin – Hair Growth Supplement for Women & Men | Get on Amazon |
| ZoeRose COSMETICS Biotin Vitamins for Hair Skin and Nails with Collagen and Keratin | Get on Amazon |
| Dr. Mercola Hair, Skin & Nails, 30 Capsules (30 Servings), with Biotin | Get on Amazon |
| Solgar Biotin 10,000 mcg, 120 Vegetable Capsules – Energy( Gluten-free) | Get on Amazon |
| Liquid Collagen & Biotin Drops 60,000mcg – Made in USA | Get on Amazon |
5.You’ve Waited Too Long Between Fills
Acrylic nails are designed to last at least two weeks before you need another fill. If you wait longer than that, the acrylic can begin to chip off or break apart at the base of your natural nail.
You’ll also notice that they start to lift away from your natural nail bed after this time period has passed. This is called lifting due to overworking the natural nail plate with an excessive amount of artificial nail material applied over it for too long a time period without removing any old material first.
Solution: The best way to prevent lifting is by getting regular fills every two weeks
6 .You Have Weak Nails
If you have weak or thin nails, they won’t be able to support thick layers of acrylic. This causes them to pop off after only a few days or weeks. You can strengthen your nails by rubbing olive oil or vitamin E oil into them once a week for several weeks before getting another manicure.
7.Your Nail Bed Is Too Thick
Acrylic nails are applied to the tip of your natural nail and adhere to the nail bed. The nail bed is where the nail grows from and should not be thicker than the acrylic or it will cause the acrylic to pop off. If you have thick skin on your natural nails, it’s best to have them filed down before getting an acrylic manicure. Also , give your nails time to breathe and heal. Sometimes all that your nails need is just a little time off from acrylics.
8.Poor Quality Acrylic Nails
Just like any product, there’s a range of quality when it comes to acrylic nails. Some nail techs use poor quality acrylic because it’s cheap and easy. The problem is that acrylic nails are made from methyl methacrylate (MMA), which is a highly toxic chemical. You can avoid these risks by getting your nails done at salons that use high-quality acrylic nails instead of MMA.
However, if you want to do acrylic nails at home by your self, then I recommend Morovan Acrylic Nail Kit with Drill for beginners. It comes with all you need to get your nails done at home( Acrylic Powder, Gel Nail Polish, Uv Led Nail Lamp, a Nail Drill with low noise and low heat, Top Coat, Base Coat, and other accessories.)
9.An Infection in Cuticle Area
The most common reason for acrylic nails to pop off is an infection in the cuticle area. Nails that are infected will have a dark color, and may also have a foul odor to them. An infection causes the nail plate to become soft and it can’t support the weight of the acrylic. The nail will continue to pop off until the infection is treated or resolved.
If your nails have been popping off for no apparent reason, it’s possible that you have an infection that needs to be treated by your doctor or dermatologist. You should also consider getting your nails removed if they keep popping off and your cuticles look infected or swollen.
10. Improper Removal Procedures
Now, this happens mostly with gel acrylic nails . Gel nails are glued to the natural nail using an adhesive that is activated by an ultraviolet light. The glue must remain under the UV light for a full minute after application so that it cures properly.
If you do not allow enough time for your nails to cure or if you pull them off before they have cured, then you will likely experience problems with your nails popping off. You will also likely experience uneven wear on your nail tips if you do not allow enough time for curing. So, always make sure your gel nails are cured properly.
How to Stop Acrylic Nails From Popping Off
You might have tried acrylics before and had them chip off, or you might be wondering what the deal is with this crazy nail that’s popping off my finger. It happens to the best of us – no matter how careful we are, sometimes acrylic nails want to pop off unexpectedly. There are ways to prevent it from happening again!
- Use a nail strengthener.
- Only high-quality acrylic nails instead of MMA. Low quality acrylic nails will break and chip off even before end month.
- Do not soak your nails for more than an hour at a time (this can make them weak).
- Make sure your nails are completely dry before applying a top coat (this helps seal in moisture).
- Do not bite your nails while they’re wet (this can weaken them).
How to Make Acrylic Nails Last Longer?
To make acrylic nails last longer, make sure that you take good care of your nails before getting them done. This can be doing simple things like moisturizing your nails, filing and buffing. You need to make sure that there is no moisture on the surface of your nails or else the acrylic will not stick properly on them.
You should also avoid using any products on your hands that would make your nails more oily or sticky because this will affect the adhesion of acrylics.
Tip: If you are getting acrylic nails, the first thing that you should know is that they are not meant to last forever. They are made to last for 2-3weeks and then they will start peeling off. If this happens, there is nothing to worry about because it will happen to every single person.
How Long Should Acrylic Nails Stay On?
Acrylic nails can last for up to 3-4 weeks before they start to lift or break. However, some people may find that their acrylic nails last longer or shorter than this timeframe. Proper nail care, including regular maintenance and avoiding harsh chemicals, can help prolong the lifespan of your acrylic nails. It’s also essential to have them removed by a professional nail technician to avoid damaging your natural nails.
Expert Advice: If you feel a certain way like slight discomfort, pain, or signs of infection while wearing acrylic nails, it’s best to have them removed immediately to prevent further damage to your nails.
Conclusion
Nail popping, in most cases, is absolutely harmless. Just because it happens doesn’t mean you should be worried, but it can be annoying if you don’t know what’s causing the problem.
Since there is no way to predict whether this would happen to your nails, ask the nail technician to do a nice rounded finish so that you will be able to live with acrylic nails for longer time without it popping off.
SOURCES
10 Common Causes of Nail Service Breakdown
https://www.nailsmag.com/384805/10-common-causes-of-nail-service-breakdown-1
Every time I do my own acrylic nails, they lift at the cuticle or pop off completely. I file and prime my nails, but it still happens. What am I doing wrong?
