If you have ever sat in front of your laptop with your mouse pointer hovering over a stunning set of acrylic nails thinking if they will damage your nails, join the league. Although many people love the glittering feeling that comes with long fake nails, the issue of nail care or even lack of it precedes many women.
The good news? The press-on nails of today aren't the same nail-destroying culprits of decades past. Let's separate fact from fiction and explore what happens to your natural nails when you embrace the press-on trend.
How Do Press-On Nails Work?
Enhancements, referred to as press-on nails, are made from acrylic resin or any other material that resembles it. They are typically expected to stick on the surface of your natural nails by having adhesive laminate or through the use of a special nail glue. Compared to acrylic nails or those gel and hard nail coverage ones, these press-ons are temporary and last for as long as one week at most, which is significantly less harsh on the nails.
Potential Risks and Causes of Damage
Press-on nails are generally safe, but certain practices can lead to damage. Here are the main culprits:
Improper Removal
Another way through which press-on nails are most likely to harm natural nails is through the process of removal. Peeling or forcefully pulling them off the fake nails can bring out layering that can thin your nails, make them prone to breakage and form uneven ridges.
Overuse of Strong Adhesives
Taking advantage of strong glue or over-applying glue is dangerous for your nails. Approximately some sort of adhesive may stay behind a residue that’s hard to eliminate, leading to tough scraping or chemical treatment that adversely affects the nail bed.
Skipping Nail Prep or Aftercare
Neglecting to prep your nails before applying press-ons—such as cleaning, buffing, or lightly filing—can reduce adhesion, leading to frequent lifting and breakage. Similarly, not moisturizing your nails and cuticles afterward can cause dryness or peeling.
Continuous Application Without Breaks
What many people do not know is that if you use fake nails often without allowing the original nails to recoup in between, with time they will become crumbly. Wearing them for a long can cause water or germs to get trapped under the press-ons in turn leading to diseases.
How to Protect Your Natural Nails?
To ensure your press-on nails don’t cause damage, follow these best practices:
- Choose the Right Adhesive: Choose nail glues that are friendly to natural nails, or use nails that come with adhesive tab strips already attached.
- Proper Removal Techniques: Immerse the nails in warm soapy water or one that can dissolve the nail glue, to help in prying off a press-on.Never force or peel them off.
- Take Breaks: Give your nails a break between applications to allow them to recover. Use a strengthening treatment or nourishing oil during this downtime.
- Moisturize Regularly: Nails and cuticles should be moist with cuticle oil or hand cream to keep them fresh and strong.
- Avoid Over-Buffing: When preparing the nails, never over-file them, as this removes the surface layer and leaves the nails very thin and rough.
Final Thoughts
If you want to make your nails more alluring but don’t want to go as far as to get permanent acrylics, press-on nails are the safest and easiest option. They can be ruinous if not used correctly, so it is advised to learn the proper removal and nail care style.
If paid proper attention, press-on nails can easily be the beauty solution that is not only stress-free but also good for your nails and look.
