Getting your first set of acrylic nails can be a life-changing experience, with many people getting hooked on the rush of having a fresh set of gorgeous nails. But for first-timers, there are many things that they don’t know about acrylic nails. Factors like how long they last, how to take care of them, and how they can impact the health of their nails in general are all things that a person should think about when getting their first set.
Here is everything you need to know about acrylic nails.
How Long Do Acrylic Nails Last?
The most appealing aspect of acrylic nails is that they are a long-lasting alternative to the traditional lacquer manicure, which chips very easily. A full set of acrylics should last six to eight weeks with the proper care.
However, that does not mean that you can just leave them for that long a time without some upkeep or TLC. You will most likely need to visit your nail technician every 2 to 3 weeks to fill in the gaps caused by the development of your natural nails, as just because you have acrylics on doesn’t mean that your nails underneath stop growing.
Acrylics take varying amounts of time to wear off depending on the person and what they do in their everyday life. Someone who does more manual jobs will need a nail replacement more often than someone who has a desk job.
However, no matter what you do, experts advise that you should never go longer than three weeks without a filling and nail treatment. This decreases the pressure that the raised expansion puts on your natural nails. It can also protect you from fungal infections which can cause extreme damage to your natural nails.
Is There Any Danger In Keeping Acrylics On For Too Long?
As acrylic nails are quite pricey and are considered a treat for some people, you may be tempted to keep them for as long as you can, possibly until they fall off themselves. However, there are a few things you need to worry about if you keep acrylic nails on for too long.
The biggest danger of leaving acrylic on for long periods is the increased risk of infection. Gaps between the acrylic nail and the natural nail bed might emerge if you frequently bump your nails, which can happen very easily just by picking up and holding things in your hands. Moisture can get trapped in these gaps, providing an excellent environment for fungus growth. This is more likely when nails are left on for up to three months. Bacteria or fungal infection is common when nails are re-glued without carefully cleansing the area.
Some skin types are very sensitive to certain chemicals used in the setting of artificial nails. As a result, the longer they remain in contact with the skin, the more likely an allergic skin reaction may develop. Some of the symptoms of this allergy include swelling, redness, and itching around the nail. In severe cases, this reaction may cause the natural nail to split from the nail bed. This is incredibly painful and something you will definitely want to avoid.
If you are getting acrylic nails for the first time and are worried about this, ask your technician to do a quick skin test to make sure you won’t get a bad reaction.
Another issue with keeping your acrylic nails on for too long is that the chemicals used can dry up the natural oils in your nails. Your nails may then become brittle and break or fall off as a result of this.
Related: How To Make Gel Nails Last Longer
How To Make Acrylics Last Longer
Considering the price, it’s only natural that you want your set of nails to last as long as possible. But how can you do this without harming your natural nail underneath? Here are a few ways to help keep your set looking fresh while also protecting your nails.
Get a gel manicure on top of the acrylics
Getting a gel coating of your acrylics rather than typical nail polish will keep your acrylics looking shiny and new for longer. Gel polish has the advantage of not chipping, unlike regular polish, and so it can make your nails look fresher and brighter.
Using regular nail polish
If you don’t want to spend even more money on a gel top coat, then you can use regular nail polish so long as you follow a few simple rules. The first thing you should do is make sure that you are using a high-quality nail polish, spending a little extra on this will ensure that the polish does not flake off or chip easily, and it will still be cheaper than a gel coating.
Next, you should make sure that you are applying a top coat to the polish. This gives you an extra layer of protection against chips, and it can be used to touch up your nails between appointments.
Stay moisturized
Having dry hands is annoying in itself, but when you have acrylic nails dry skin can cause them to crack or break easily. Make sure that you are looking after those hands by applying moisturizer regularly. Cuticle oil is also a must to protect your nails.
Related: How to get nail glue off skin
Protect your hands when doing housework
Your nails are most likely to break when you are doing rough activities with your hands, such as scrubbing and cleaning. When cleaning, chemicals are often also involved, which can not only damage your hands in general but can also cause your acrylics to separate from your nail bed. Not even washing up is safe as warm water can make the acrylics lift off of your nails.
Luckily, all of this can be avoided by wearing a pair of sturdy cleaning gloves when doing work around the house. These will give you all of the protection you need and will ensure that your nails do not become damaged. Wearing gloves is also useful if you suffer from dry hands or sensitive skin anyways as it prevents any nasty chemicals from touching you and making the problem worse.
Further Reading: How to heal your cuticles
Takeaway
Acrylic nails are a fun way to change up your look and express yourself in ways other than your outfits. As long as you follow the simple care rules we have laid out for you, your nail set should last you for weeks without damage or breakage.