Before your next nail appointment, here are some things you should know if you are planning on getting acrylic nails. The glamorous look comes with a few conditions.
It's great that you want everything to look fantastic, right from the hair to the nails.
You have also probably heard some horror stories about acrylic nails, and these might be terrifying enough to make you think twice about your decision to visit the nail salon to have them done.
Nevertheless, as soon as most people give acrylic nails a try, they absolutely love them. Acrylic nails are not as scary as you might have been made to believe.
After all, they require very little maintenance. However, it's still important to take care of them to ensure your nails remain healthy.
That includes keeping your hands and nails moisturized, which means you should carry around some hand lotion and cuticle oil.
Anyway, if you are thinking that acrylic nails are the way to go, here are some things you should know.
We will cover everything you should do before your appointment, from what should happen during the actual appointment and what should follow after you get your amazing new acrylic nails.
Before The Appointment
Here is what you should do before you visit the salon to get your acrylic nails done. Note that skipping this process can ruin the entire experience.
1. Prep Properly
Okay, it's really nice that you want acrylic nails. However, before that even happens, you should make sure that your real nails can withstand this procedure.
Having weak or brittle nails pretty much makes the process unsuitable for you. Fortunately, you can make sure that your nails are strong before getting acrylic nails.
Making your nails stronger includes using jojoba oil, which is natural and safe. Some alternative hair strengtheners have formaldehyde in them, which is not safe.
2. Conduct Proper Research
If you think acrylic nails are the only fake nails you can have, you will be shocked. But, unfortunately, there is an overwhelming number of false nails in existence today.
You could get anything from powder dip, sculptured, and gel acrylics. Salons can't offer all these options, so you have to ensure that the salon you are visiting has the option you prefer before your visit.
During Your Salon Appointment
Once you get to the salon, there are a few more things you should look out for to ensure you get the value for your money and also get high-quality nail acrylics. Here are things to do during your appointment.
3. Have A Look At The Instruments
You should ensure that all the tools you are using are sterilized before the professional starts working on you. A lot of nasty infections can result from poorly sterilized tools.
4. Make Sure You Get The Manicure As Well
Getting acrylic nails is not just about getting your nails done. You should get a manicure as well to make the process worth it.
That means getting your cuticles done so that the acrylics stick properly to your nails. Otherwise, your flashy nails might not hold on for long.
Besides, having a manicure before the nails are applied makes them look so much better.
5. Choose The Right Shape And Length
Most people are pretty excited about the process of choosing the color, the length, and the shape of the nails to get.
You can go with oval shapes, square shapes, and so forth. Many people also have a hard time resisting the temptation to go for long acrylics.
For first-timers, getting long nails is not the best idea. You can't go wrong with shorter nails.
After The Appointment
Yes, you should be thrilled that you have finally gotten those lovely nail acrylics. However, over the time you will have them, you should take proper care of yourself to ensure they are worth your while.
Here are some of the things you should do after your appointment.
6. Take Proper Care Of Your Nails
It's great that you have shiny new nails. The next step is to ensure they are protected so that they don't get ruined by basic day-to-day activities.
Unfortunately, you might not be in a position to avoid things like washing the dishes.
Basically, try to use gloves whenever using bleach and strong cleaning products as they can easily ruin your acrylic nails.
Taking care of your acrylic nails will make them last longer.
7. Moisturize Your Nails
Now that you have fancy acrylic nails, you have to take care of them using cuticle oil. That will keep the skin and the nails healthy.
8. Remove Properly Without Causing Any Damage To The Nail
Believe it or not, most of the nail damage associated with acrylics happens during their removal.
There are many salons that use drills to get rid of acrylic. The problem is that these drills also get rid of some parts of your nail as well.
The best method is to soak the nail in acetone for 30 minutes to break down the acrylic so that it can be removed easily without causing any lasting damage to the nails.
That also means you should ensure that a professional remove the acrylics once you are done with them. Generally, acrylic nails last for about two to three weeks.
Waiting for these nails to come off on their own is a bad idea as that might damage your natural nails.
What Are Acrylics Made Of?
Acrylics have been around for quite a long time, but their made has not changed much. However, new formulas have been introduced to ensure they dry a lot faster or create smoother textures.
Acrylics are actually made of powder and liquid monomer and polymers mixed to make a putty-like substance applied on the nail and air-dried.
Some acrylic nails have a plastic tip, while others have a form. For plastic-tipped acrylics, the nails are glued on, and the edge is trimmed down to look natural.
Acrylics with a form have a sticker that is wrapped around the nail and used to shape the acrylic before the sticker is removed.
A Few Things You Should Know About Acrylics
The first time you get acrylic nails can be quite special. So, before you get them, here are a few things you should know about them.
First of all, they might feel uncomfortable at first. Specifically, you might experience a little tightness, but that shouldn't last for more than a day or two.
You should also make sure you take consistent care of the nails. Neglecting them basically means ending up with nail damage.
It is also worth noting that acrylic nails can get a little expensive. You can even spend more than $100 on them, but fills can cost about $50 to $60.
In other words, these nails represent a significant financial investment, even though they are not supposed to last long.
Also, as you get these nail extensions, understand that they can make some routine things a little challenging. For instance, picking up coins will get quite challenging, and changing contacts will pretty much turn into an extreme sport.
Which Are Better, Acrylics Or Gel?
If you want stronger nails, acrylics are your best alternative. They are also more durable.
Acrylics are also better if you want longer nails and fancy 3D nail art.
However, if you want the most natural-looking nail extensions, the gel is the best option since this is more flexible. Unfortunately, when the gel is used for very long extensions, it can easily break.
Are Acrylics Bad For Your Nails?
As long as the acrylics are done properly, including the appropriate prep work, they are just as good as any other nail extensions. So, they don't usually cause permanent damage.
It's just that some people assume acrylics are bad because they look more intense. The gel is looked upon favorably because it looks more natural.
However, the truth is that gels aren't better for the nails, and acrylics aren't much worse for them either.
Final Thoughts
Getting acrylics is a good idea if you want to change the shape or the length of your nails. As you can see, to have proper acrylics, you need to prepare properly and take proper care of the acrylics once you are done.
Of course, it is also crucial that you have a professional remove the acrylics once you are done with them or once they start falling apart. Taking care of the acrylics ensures that they don't damage your nails or result in nasty infections.
