Acrylic Nails & Summer Heat

[cgcw]

Does anyone have a problem with acrylic nails in the summertime? I had full sets continuiously for most of the winter. Summer comes and the last set I had was a real nightmare. They broke, they lifted. A week ago, I couldn't stand it any more and had them taken off.

Now I'm even more unhappy. My own nails are short. I went with a light polish and bought the nail strengthener which I've applied daily. Not only are my nails breaking but the polish just isn't holding up. It's peeling off and my nails look terrible.

I've grown to love the look of nice polished nails. It's a nice treat for me. I'm thinking about getting another set but I don't want to end up with a nail infection if they are not holding up the way they had been.

I'm wondering if part of my problem came in with pool water and/or sunscreen. I do a lot of sunscreen most every day (8 daycare kids plus myself to cover). If that's the problem, I'm thinking maybe I should invest in the spray sunscreen and maybe save my nails. If it's the pool water, there isn't much I can do about that. Also, does anyone know if salt water would be terrible on acrylic nails? We're off to the beach in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Cindy

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

I had problems with breaking and lifting when I had acrylic nails - I now have what they call gel nails and I have only broken 1 in about 8 months and have had no lifting. They cost about $5 more per fill-in but considering how much I was paying for repairs it seems to actually be saving me money.

The process is a little different to - they remove the polish and rough up your nails with the file, paint a nail with a product and dip it into a powder (different from the regular acrylic powder they use) then tap the excess off and finish up with another product that causes the powder mixture to harden. Then they file and shape and paint your color on.

 

[experiment626mom]

I haven't had any problems with my acrylics this year. I've been in the pool and everything. Maybe get a new set, and make sure everytime you get a fill in that they put a little glue on the tips?

 

[arminnie]

I think the key is not to have the tips put on. I have a layer of acrylic over my own nails. I never have problems with lifting unless I go way too long for a fill.

When I had the tips put on they came up all the time. I finally stopped for a few years because I just hated having to deal with the nails coming up.

I have to get my nails cut down all of the time because they just keep growing with the acrylic overlay. I love being able to wear polish and not have to worry about chips.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I don't have acrylics now, but I did have them for years. I never had a problem during the summer.

 

[jipsy]

I am an acrylic junkie. Things that will make them not last as long are lotions, lots of water soaking (i.e. washing dishes, swimming, long baths) and oils.

You might want to switch over to the gel nails. I hear they don't lift as much, but I personally just don't like the way they look as compared to acrylics. It's just a personal preference.

 

[GJM]

I have acrylic nails and they do lift more in the summer. I depends on how much I am in the pool or at the beach. I can't imagine not having my nails done anymore, mine aren't even that short just really thin! I go every 2 weeks to get them done.

 

[cgcw]

Thanks for the responses.

I had gel nails to begin with and didn't care for the people who were doing them. I've found a salon now where I feel comfortable with the acrylics so I'd like to stick with them.

I will check to see if they can just coat my nails with acrylic. From what the manicurist told me last week, my own nails are on the stronger side. That just might be an option for me.

At least when I had the tips and they broke, they didn't look as unsightly as what I have now -- which is very short, unpolished nails. If my problem is compounded by the sunscreen, I just might be able to get around it with the spray sunscreens.

On a positive note, at least I have something to look forward to in the winter months. My nails will be nicely manicured.

Thanks again.

 

[Nancy]

When I had my acrylics they told me to use lotions and sunscreen sparingly because the oils will weaken the bond...add to that the water from swimming and there you go. My nails never held up good because I am a lotion fanatic.

 

[armywife]

I had a problem with sunscreen & certain lotions "melting" my acrylics.

Also - I know some brands of acrylic are better than others. My mom's nail lady used a cheaper, generic brand and her nails lifted, broke & looked yellow all the time. My nail lady uses OPI acrylic & lasts forever!

So maybe the brand of acrylic they are using was not as great as some others? OR- the sunscreens?

 

[birdiesunshine]

The only time I have problems with my acrylics is when I have french tips and I use sun tan lotion. The lotion makes the french look like crap. Other than that I go almost three weeks without fills and they always look great.

 

[bicker]

My wife tells me what was relayed to her by her manicurist, who does her acrylic nails:

If you have your acrylic nails removed, the nails underneath will be very soft and vulnerable. Don't put anything on your nails for at least two weeks to allow the nail to strengthen on it's own naturally. The reason is the acrylics block exposure to air to your nails and nails harden by exposure to air.

If you expose your acrylics to water and chemicals, it will weaken the acrylic nails. So, staying out of the pool with it's chlorine and avoid chemicals by using gloves when you clean. This also includes sea water as the sea water is full of minerals and salts, which would also weaken the acrylic nails.

What she recommends is that if one weakens or breaks, just have that one re-done completely rather than doing a fill-in.

 

[Serena]

Cgcw, may I suggest using disposable gloves when you're putting the sunscreen on the kids.

 

[cgcw]

Thanks again for all the experiences/suggestions. I will definately be doing something as I really miss the look of nice nails. Bicker, thanks for the advice from your DW.

Cgcw, may I suggest using disposable gloves when you're putting the sunscreen on the kids.

This would work. It would be very simple as I already have disposable gloves. I think I'll give it a try or see about having a coating of acrylic put on top of my own nails.

I'll make an appointment today. Thanks.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I just got back from a week long vacation to Ocean City MD. When I got back my nails were awful!! (We did alot of swimming in the ocean and in the water park and used ALOT of sunscreen)

I had two tips removed and an overlay of acrylic put over my long natural nails. I also had a few side/lifting repairs done. They are fine now, but I leave for Ocean City NJ for a week in just a few weeks, it will be interesting to see if the same thing happens.

I love my nails and I would hate to have them removed!

 

[BethanyF]

Cindy...
where do you go? I had been going to the place that is right here, but now they have new owners and Im not sure. The last time I went there (new owners) the nails were too thin and I had a lot of problems.
I just got a new full set from another place in town, and while they are thicker, and they arent lifting, they made them too wide for my taste.
I am in the pool every day for at least an hour or 2. Granted, I only have 1 kid to lotion so I am not getting much, if any, lotion under my nails.
Let me know where you go, maybe between the 2 of us we can find the best place in town, LOL

 

[poohandwendy]

I'm wondering if part of my problem came in with pool water and/or sunscreen. I do a lot of sunscreen most every day (8 daycare kids plus myself to cover). If that's the problem, I'm thinking maybe I should invest in the spray sunscreen and maybe save my nails. If it's the pool water, there isn't much I can do about that. Also, does anyone know if salt water would be terrible on acrylic nails? We're off to the beach in a couple of weeks.

Sunscreen definitely could be the culprit, especially if you are exposing the acrylic to it often. (and especially if it is staying on the nail, not being cleaned off). Many lotions and creams contain chemicals that break down/weaken acrylic. I would try Serena's idea of wearing gloves to apply it and see if that helps.

As far as the salt water, any excessive exposure to water is not good for acrylic...but enjoying the ocean on vacation should not be a problem.

Some people do well with tips with an acrylic overlay, others do better with an overlay over their natural nail. This is not usually due to the actual tip, but to the adhesive that is used to attach the tip to the nail plate. You can tell if that is an issue if when there is breakage, entire tip will come off leaving acrylic on the rest of the natural nail.

Acrylic is generally more flexible than nail glue, so when the glue gets brittle (with age)...it will not bend with pressure, it just breaks.

A tip for keeping your acrylic flexible is to apply cuticle oil (be sure to avoid mineral oil) to your acrylic nail enhancements regularly. That will not help with a glue problem, though.


Hope that helps!

 

[poohandwendy]

I am in the pool every day for at least an hour or 2. Granted, I only have 1 kid to lotion so I am not getting much, if any, lotion under my nails.

It's not really so much about getting the lotion under the nails. Chemicals and certain oils can actually break down the acrylic (and nail polish) from the surface. Of course, any areas that are already lifting will only speed up the process of breakdown and will definitely cause damage to the acrylic.