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Acrylic nails are a great way to enhance your natural nails and create stunning nail art. However, they also require proper care and maintenance to keep them looking beautiful and healthy. In this blog post, I will share with you 07 expert tips to take care of your acrylic nails, from choosing the right length and shape to preventing chipping and breaking. I will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about acrylic nails, such as how long they last, how much they cost, and how to remove them safely. Let’s get started!
Tip 01 | Choose a Length and Shape That Suits Your Lifestyle
One of the first things you need to consider when getting acrylic nails is the length and shape that will work for your lifestyle. Acrylic nails can be sculpted into any shape you want, such as almond, coffin, stiletto, square, or round. However, some shapes are more prone to chipping and breaking than others, especially if you work with your hands or do hobbies that are rough on your nails.
For example, long acrylics (those that extend more than 0.5 in (1.3 cm) past your fingertip) are more likely to chip and break than shorter ones. Similarly, pointed shapes like stiletto or almond are more fragile than rounded or square ones. To reduce the chances of damaging your acrylic nails, choose a length and shape that is compatible with your lifestyle and activities.
Tip 02 | Apply Nail Oil Daily to Keep Your Nails Flexible
Another important tip to take care of your acrylic nails is to apply nail oil daily to keep them flexible and hydrated. Nail oil is a product that contains nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, almond oil, or argan oil that moisturize your nails and cuticles. When your acrylics are dry and rigid, they are more likely to crack and break. By applying nail oil once or twice a day, you can keep them soft and pliable.
To apply nail oil, simply add a couple of drops to each of your acrylics and rub it in gently with your fingers or a cotton swab. You can find nail oil in any beauty supply store or online.
Tip 03 | Wear Waterproof Gloves When Doing Chores
Water is one of the biggest enemies of acrylic nails. When your acrylics are exposed to water for a long time, they can weaken and loosen from your natural nails. This can lead to lifting, infection, or even loss of your acrylics. To prevent this from happening, wear waterproof gloves whenever you do chores that involve getting your hands wet, such as washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, or gardening.
Make sure that you wash and dry your hands thoroughly after doing chores as well to prevent the spread of bacteria. You may also want to swipe each of your nails with an alcohol swab after doing chores to ensure that they are clean and sanitized.
Tip 04 | See a Nail Technician Regularly for Refills
Acrylic nails grow out with your natural nails over time, creating a gap between the acrylic and the cuticle. This gap can make your nails look unsightly and also increase the risk of infection or lifting. To avoid this problem, see a nail technician regularly for refills or touch-ups.
A refill is a process where the nail technician fills in the gap with fresh acrylic powder and liquid monomer, making your nails look new again. A touch-up is a process where the nail technician fixes any minor issues with your acrylics, such as chips, cracks, or lifting.
Depending on how fast your nails grow and how well you take care of them, you may need a refill every two to four weeks and a touch-up every one to two weeks.
Tip 05 | Use Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover
If you want to change the color of your acrylic nails, you can use regular or gel polish over them. However, when it comes to removing the polish, you need to be careful about what product you use. Acetone is a common ingredient in nail polish remover that dissolves acrylics as well as polish. If you use acetone-based remover on your acrylic nails, you will damage them and shorten their lifespan.
Instead, use non-acetone nail polish remover that is gentle on acrylics but effective on polish. Non-acetone remover may take longer to work than acetone-based remover, but it will preserve your acrylics and keep them intact.
Tip 06 | Avoid Biting or Picking at Your Nails
Biting or picking at your nails is a bad habit that can ruin your acrylics as well as your natural nails. When you bite or pick at your nails, you can cause cracks, splits, or tears in your acrylics, which can lead to infection or loss of your nails. You can also damage the nail bed underneath, making it weak and prone to injury.
To stop biting or picking at your nails, try to identify the triggers that make you do it, such as stress, boredom, or anxiety. Then, find healthy ways to cope with these triggers, such as chewing gum, playing with a stress ball, or meditating. You can also apply bitter-tasting nail polish or use nail stickers to deter you from biting or picking at your nails.
Tip 07 | Remove Your Acrylic Nails Safely
If you decide to remove your acrylic nails, do not attempt to do it yourself by ripping, cutting, or filing them off. This can cause serious damage to your natural nails and even injure your fingers. The safest way to remove acrylic nails is by soaking them off with acetone.
To do this, you will need a bowl of acetone, cotton balls, aluminum foil, and a nail file. First, file the top layer of your acrylics to break the seal and make them easier to soak off. Then, soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it over your nail. Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around your finger to hold the cotton ball in place. Repeat this for all of your nails and wait for 20 to 30 minutes.
After the soaking time is up, gently remove the foil and cotton balls from your fingers. Your acrylics should come off easily with them. If not, use a wooden cuticle stick to gently scrape off any remaining acrylic. Do not force or pull anything off. Finally, wash and moisturize your hands and nails.
FAQ Section: Tips to Take Care Your Acrylic Nails
Q1: How long do acrylic nails last?
Acrylic nails typically last between two to five weeks, depending on how fast your natural nails grow and how well you take care of them.
Q2: How much do acrylic nails cost?
The cost of acrylic nails varies depending on where you live and the skill level of the nail technician. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $95 for a full set of acrylic nails and between $25 and $45 for a refill.
Q3: Are acrylic nails safe?
Acrylic nails are safe as long as they are applied and removed properly by a professional nail technician. However, acrylic nails can cause some side effects, such as allergic reactions, infections, nail thinning, or fungal growth. To prevent these problems, make sure that you follow the tips above and see a doctor if you notice any signs of trouble.
Sources:
– [3 Ways to Care for Acrylic Nails – wikiHow]
– [Acrylic Nails 101: What You Need to Know Before Your First Set – Byrdie]
– [How to Do Acrylic Nails: 15 Steps (with Pictures) – wikiHow]
