Nail Care For Acrylic Nails

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Rebecca is a contributor specializing in all things nails. She has worked in beauty editorial for seven years.

Nail Care For Acrylic Nails

Have you ever checked someone’s nails and wondered how they are so strong and healthy? While they may be wearing high-end press-ons, they may be rocking an acrylic manicure. Often used for long shapes like almond, coffin and stiletto nails, acrylic nails help add structure and longevity to any nail look.

Tips To Repair Damaged Nails After Getting Gel Or Acrylic Extensions Removed

While most acrylic nails are done in salons, you can also try DIY acrylic nails at home. Of course, before booking an appointment or stocking up on acrylic nail supplies, you may want to brush acrylic nails in general. We are here to help. Above, find out everything you need to know about acrylic manis from nail pros Morgan Dixon and Moss Hanna.

Long extensions sculpted with a mixture of acrylic nail powder and liquid monomer, Hannah tells us. (That’s why they’re also called L+P.) “We take a brush and dip it in acrylic liquid — we dip the wet brush in acrylic powder and use it to create a printable acrylic bead,” Bellacur’s nail artist Haley Tang previously told us. “Once we get our bead, we place it on the nail bed, which extends the length of the natural nail and the plastic tip.”

Once applied, the acrylic is cured and the polish is ready. Depending on how long you want your nail look to last, you can choose between regular polish or gel applications. The technique strengthens and often lengthens the natural nail. While most acrylic nails have exaggerated lengths, Dixon says acrylic can be used in any style. “It’s a great service for people who need extra life,” he explains.

According to Dixon and Hanna, acrylic manicures typically last two to five weeks. As with most manicures, it depends on how hard your nails are. “Acrylic manicures are very durable and last a long time when used properly,” says Hanna.

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Nail professionals typically charge about $25 on top of the basic gel manicure rate for acrylics, Dixon says. The cost of getting acrylic nails done depends on where you live and the skill level of your nail artist. Generally, salons in major metropolitan areas are exempt from overcharging. FWIF: When we reported on seven types of manicures, artists shared that the average acrylic manicure costs between $55 and $95, although it costs more to incorporate elaborate nail art.

Acrylic nails are safe as long as they are applied and removed properly. Nowadays, less toxic options like Gel X by Apres Nails can help you achieve similar results, Hannah points out.

However, if you’re set on acrylic, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind, he says. “When getting acrylics, it’s really important to make sure the salon you go to has proper ventilation for your and your nail artist’s safety,” she tells us. “All nail products contain chemicals that can be harmful without proper ventilation.” Additionally, she points out that she wouldn’t recommend acrylic nails for people with sensitive skin or allergies, as some people have adverse reactions to L+P.

Acrylic nails can be completely damaged if you don’t carefully remove your nails – but that goes for any type of nail enhancement. If you don’t soak your acrylics and gently roll them off your nails (or go to the salon so a professional can remove them properly), you can peel off layers of your natural nail. This will make them thin and brittle in the long run. “Professionals know when to stop and what to look for [when removing acrylic nails],” Dixon says. “If you notice your nails are thin or weak, they’re not serving well.”

Acrylic Nail Designs For Every Type Of Aesthetic

It’s important to note that intentionally peeling or scratching your acrylic isn’t the only thing that can damage your nails. “The natural nail can be damaged by lifting or peeling off the acrylic,” Hanna says. Because of this, she recommends giving your hands a little TLC as you go about your daily life. “When doing tasks that usually destroy your nails, such as gardening or doing dishes, be sure to wear gloves to protect your nails,” she emphasizes. 

The best way to remove acrylic nails is to soak them, says Dixon. You don’t want to over-file, though: Dixon says you’ll know you’ve removed the top layer when your nails are dull rather than shiny. “From there, soak [your nails] in about half an inch of acetone in a glass bowl or dab nail clips with 100 percent acetone and cotton,” she advises.

Regardless of the method you choose, you must be patient. “I tell my clients it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how much acrylic is on the nail and how dull it is,” Dixon says, adding that the longer you soak them, the easier it will be. Trim the nail to avoid applying too much pressure.

Acrylic nails are a great option for those who want to strengthen and lengthen their nails. The L+P technique makes all nails look more durable, so you can look forward to long-lasting nails – great if you’re investing in nail art. 

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The biggest thing to remember when getting acrylics is that proper disposal is key. If you remove acrylic nails improperly, they can damage your natural nails in the long run—making the overall strengthening nail enhancement less effective. Having long, strong nails will make you feel beautiful and put together. That is why many people use nail care products. But if your natural nails aren’t working, you can consider acrylics.

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“Acrylic nails have been around longer than some gels and tips that are becoming popular,” says dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD. “But they have some risks.”

While acrylic nails give a strong, nail-y look, they can damage your skin, nails, and general. The material in acrylic nails can make your natural nails thin and weak. Additionally, the chemicals used to apply and remove nail polish can irritate your skin.

How Thick Should Acrylic Nails Be?

Acrylics are a type of fake nail formed from a chemical paste made from powder and liquid ingredients. The compound blends with your existing nail and can be shaped into your desired shape. Once the air exposure has hardened the acrylic nail, it can be filed and polished.

“Your natural nail consists of a top plate and a bottom plate that adheres to the skin underneath (the nail bed),” explains Dr. Kassouf. “Roughening the top plate allows the acrylic coating to bond. Once the coating hardens, it makes your nails much harder and stronger.

An acrylic nail set can last up to eight weeks. But they are maintenance free. As your natural nails grow and your acrylic coating peels away from your cuticles, you’ll need a touch-up or “fill-up” every two to three weeks. The nail technician adds the acrylic to the space between the acrylic and the cuticle.

More than 70 million Americans live with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a reaction or sensitivity to certain substances that touch their skin. Acrylates, the ingredient that helps harden acrylic nails, are commonly associated with ACD.

Contact Dermatitis And Acrylic Nails: What You Should Be Aware Of

Acrylic monomers, the small molecules in acrylic coatings, can cause reactions to the skin around your nails, including:

“Your eyelids are the thinnest skin on your body, so you’re more likely to have an initial reaction on your eyelids than on the thicker skin around your nails,” she notes.

The process of applying and removing acrylics can be just as harmful, if not more harmful than acrylics.

“Removing acrylics can damage or remove the top plate of your nail,” says Dr. Kassouf. “You end up with very weak or brittle nails for six months before the Y grows enough to replace the nail.”

Can You Go Swimming With Acrylic Nails? (or Fake Nails)

The bond between the acrylic nail and your nail plate is stronger than the bond between your nail plate and the nail bed. As a result, people with acrylic nails are more likely to experience onycholysis, when their nail plate separates from the nail bed.

“Natural nails are flexible, but acrylic nails are not,” says Dr. Kassouf. “Daily activities such as typing and cooking can cause trauma to acrylic nails. These movements put pressure on the area around the nail.