Acrylic nail questions

[paras4ri]

My birthday was this week and I was in a bit of a funk so I decided to do something for myself and got acrylic nails for the first time ever. They're pretty cool and didn't take too much to get used to....except taking out my contacts!
I really didn't ask too many questions at the salon but now I'm thinking of things. I'm sure there are experts out there who can help.

I know I'm supposed to have "fills" every 2 weeks but in the meantime is there any special care I should be taking? Can I change the polish if I want and are there any products I should or should not use?

All advise is greatfully appreciated.

 

[A kid at heart]

just use nail polish remover to take off the old color and then apply new color. Your nails will be like mush underneath if you continue to keep them and get them filled all the time.

 

[Michelle]

If you change the polish use NON-acetone polish remover...the acetone stuff eats up the nails. Definitely get the fills on time, too, there is nothing more painful than a nail that is "lifting" that gets caught on something.

I had acrylic nails for years, until I got pregnant with my daughter (9 years ago). I had them taken off and never got them put back, something about being pregnant made my nails grow like crazy and VERY strong, so I didn't need the acrylics anymore.

And Happy Birthday!

 

[SeaSpray]

I have acrylics and in the 6 years of having them I've never changed the polish in between fills. It's never needed it, the nail polish doesn't seem to wear off the acrylic the way it does off regular nails.

I think you can change the polish the regular way; just remove the old polish with a non-acetone remover, then polish using regular nail polish.

I am considering getting contacts in the next 6 months, so I'm wondering just how short I'll have to keep my nails. I don't keep them very long now at all, most people think they are my natural nails.

Good luck!

 

[Blondie]

I've seen girls at work who had their "fake nails" (be it acrylic or whatever) removed and their nails look awful!

Is this common with getting fake nails? And what about long term, like SeaSpray who has had them for 6 years? Doesn't it harm the fingernail?

 

[paras4ri]

Thanks for the fast responses...and birthday wishes. I guess if this is my mid-life crisis it's pretty mild!!!

Seaspray, I asked that mine be fairly short because of the contacts. I'm having no trouble putting them in but I'm still adapting how I take them out so it's more comfortable with me. You'll have the advantage of learning about contacts with nails since you already have them.

 

[bsnyder]

The polish on acrylics stays on much long than on your natural nail because the natural nail has oils in it that cause the polish to flake off after a while. The acrylic covers up that oil, so you can definitely go the entire time between fills without needing to change the polish. Unless you just want to change to a different color.

I've had acrylics for years. The nails are definitely thin, rough and brittle when you first take the acrylic off, but that eventually grows out and you can have nice natural nails again. Mine grow crooked, from years of bitting them, so that's why I wear the acrylics.

I have gotten used to handling my contacts with them just fine. The only thing that sometimes gives me fits is opening and closing up any kind of chain necklace or bracelet.

 

[jsmith]

I had acrylic for seven years-handling contacts is ,IMHO, easier with acrylics, especailly if you have disposable contacts, then with natural nails because the acrylic is not as sharp. Never needed to do a polish change between rebases but could if I felt like it. I had them removed in March, partly because we needed to cut expenses because I had to take a salary cut and partly because the tech that had done them for years stopped working. As soon as they grew out past where they had been filed down for the last rebase they are as healthy and strong as ever

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

I had them once and took them off. the nail underneath looks like wet toilet paper. Thank God my nails grew back strong and didn't get ruined. if you can have your natural nails you are much better off.

 

[Fire14]

But I'm a girl who has never kept her nails long for any link of time. I kept poking my eaye trying to get my contacts out with accylics.

 

[SeaSpray]

Quite often I have the entire acrylic taken off of my natural nail and a new one put on, mainly because I tend to have oily nails and the acrylics "lift" from time to time. Underneath the acrylic, your nail does look thinner than usual, but in all the years I've had acrylics, they've never been "mushy" or anything that resembles "wet toilet paper". Also, my natural nails are extremely thin and weak and they always peeled like onion skin, so I am not concerned with what my nails look like underneath. LOL

Like I mentioned, I keep my nails relatively short, considering they are acrylics. I like the acrylic because of the strength it gives my nails, not just to have longer nails. If I didn't have acrylics, I would have no fingernails at all because they always peeled, split, ripped, etc. The only two times in my life that I had strong natural nails were the two times I was pregnant!

 

[Jennyfyar]

As a nail technician, I'm obviously going to support acrylic nails. I have done nails for 10 years and worn them for 12, and I wear contacts. I tend to wear them pretty short, but I have no problem getting my contacts in and out. It will take some time, but you will get the hang of it.

As in any service, there are good and bad applications. If your nails resemble wet toilet paper or are mushy when you remove the acrylic , the nail tech is improperly filing and you might be going to a salon that uses MMA acrylic. MMA will eventually cause the nail bed to disintegrate. A good nail tech should be able to tell you what kind of acrylic they use. If your nail tech is using an electric drill to file your nails, in most cases, they have not been properly trained to handle this equipment. A drill gets very hot and can very quickly burn your nail right through to the nail bed, which is most often the cause for nails to be so weak and brittle when the acrylics are removed.

 

[poohandwendy]

Hi,
Happy Birthday!
I am a licensed manicurist, so I hope I can help with your questions.

First off, I do not recommend acrylic to anyone who has 'decent' nails to begin with. There is no question that acrylic does 'weaken' your existing nail, although it is not permanent (unless done incorrectly to begin with, very rare).

Acrylic is a chemical, it will only create the look you want (length, shape, polish retention). Your nail will grow out but it does take time for the entire nail to get back to the original shape it was in (about 6 months). Not that you will have horrible nails for 6 months, they will just be thinner than usual and more likely to break.

I highly recommend acrylic nails for those who have always hated their nails. But I try to make sure that they aren't just looking for a temporary fix to get their nails to grow. This does NOT work, once the acrylic is removed you are practically guaranteed to lose any length you had in a short time. Please don't get me wrong, I am not against acrylic (I wear it myself, I have horrible nails). I just think people should make an informed decision based on their needs.

For anyone who wants length for a special occasion, I recommend tips alone. They last 2-3 days and do little damage to the original nail. They give you the temporary look without the commitment.

For anyone with pretty decent nails that flake at the free edge (white part) OR break as soon as they get any length, I recommend regular manicures and a good nail strengthener (Nail Envy by OPI is my personal fav but there are MANY great ones out there). As a matter of fact, you should never apply polish to the natural nail without a base coat or nail strengthener. The chemicals in polish are not made to be worn on bare nails, and will eventually cause brittle, weak, discolored nails.

For acrylic nails, try to avoid acetone (mentioned previously) and mineral oil (breaks down acrylic). You'd be surprized how many cosmetics and lotions contain mineral oil. Wash your nails after use. Make an appointment for a repair if you see lifting or yellow,green or dark coloring under the acrylic. This is caused by moisture trapped between the acrylic and natural nail, often due to lifting. If you HAVE to use glue for a break, make any appointment within a few days...the glue is only a bandaid...the nail needs fixed.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I hope I informed more than confused, LOL.
wendy

 

[A kid at heart]

Wendy you did a great explanation! thanks

 

[poohandwendy]

Thanks kidatheart,
Jennyfrar also made great points as well. And I am sure she could add to the list below of what your manicurist/nail tech expects from you, the client;

Please do not pick or bite at your acrylic! It is not teflon or Kryptonite. We take much time making your nails look great, try to avoid using your nails as tools (like a screwdriver or paint scraper) and then expect them to stay beautiful and strong.

Please keep your regular appointments. As your nails grow you have less area of strong acrylic. The longer you wait to get them filled the more likely they will break. One month is TOO LONG!!!

Please leave your young children at home if at all possible. We work with very potent chemicals that can harm busy little fingers and may not be the best thing for your newborn to breathe in for an hour. If your child has to be there, try to avoid holding them on your lap while we work on your nails....Try polishing your own nails with your baby on your lap, not easy is it?! LOL.

Please seek reputable, licensed nail techs. Please be aware of your surroundings. No reputable professional uses the same table towel, nail files, etc on more than one client. It is illegal and unsafe practice. ASK how they disinfect their metal implements, tools or files (only some can be disinfected).

Please see a doctor if you think you may have an nail infection. And no, I cannot tell you why you get leg cramps every now and again or what that mole you have is all about...I am not a doctor, but hey...I'm flattered by your faith in me..

Please soak off your acrylic (with acetone) if you want to remove it. Ripping them off is really not a good idea, they are attached ...you will likely lose a layer of your nail with the acrylic.

Ask questions during your appointment, if you don't like the shape, length or whatever, speak up...we want you be happy with your new look.

And, as always, tips are greatly welcomed and appreciated....referrals are even better!! LOL

often tongue in cheek...but honest...
wendy

 

[paras4ri]

Thanks everyone for such wonderful information!!!!