Press-on nails have been the talk of the town in the world of beauty and self-care. As they offer an easy, quick, and affordable way to achieve salon-like manicure at home, many have been attracted to this trend. However, one question that persists is, “are press on nails bad for your nails?” This article delves into this topic, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding the impact of press-on nails on your natural nails.
Press-On Nails: An Overview
Press-on nails, also known as fake nails, are artificial nails made from an acrylic resin material. They offer an alternative to traditional acrylic or gel nails applied at nail salons.
These nails are designed to be less permanent, easier to apply, and supposedly better for your natural nails. When correctly produced and applied, they can look just as good as salon-made acrylics without the associated price tag or damage.
Press-on nails come in a variety of styles, sizes, and designs, enabling you to customize your look according to your preference and occasion. Whether you prefer the classic French manicure, vibrant summer designs, or subtle neutral tones for a professional setting, there’s a press-on nail set for you.
Are They Damaging to Your Natural Nails?
The most sought-after answer is here: press-on nails, when applied and removed correctly, do not harm your real nails. The key here is the correct application and removal process.
Press-on nails require minimal use of strong chemicals that are typically associated with traditional manicure methods. Hence, they pose less risk to your natural nails. However, it’s crucial to note that any artificial nail can potentially cause some damage if not used correctly.
How to Apply Press-On Nails Correctly
Applying press-on nails correctly plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of your natural nails. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Clean Your Nails: Start by washing your hands and cleaning your nails of all remnants of polish or adhesive.
Prepare Your Nails: Give yourself a mini-manicure by trimming your nails, buffing them, pushing back your cuticles, and trimming any excess skin around your nail beds. You can also apply a clear base coat if you want to seal off your real nails from the press-ons.
Choose Your Adhesive: Decide whether you want to use the existing adhesive on the nails or supplement it with nail glue. If you want to protect your nails at all costs, stick with the adhesive, knowing that the bond might not be as strong. If you want a strong bond that will last for over a week, apply a bit of nail glue to the fake nail before application.
Select the Right Size: Go through all the nails in the nail kit and pick out which ones best fit your natural nails. Each nail will generally require a different size, so ensure to keep them in order for quick application.
Apply the Press-On Nails: Peel off the adhesive backing of the press-on nail and apply a bit of glue (if desired) to both the fake nail and your real nail. Line up the bottom of the fake nail with your cuticles and press down, moving towards the sides, then the middle, and then the top for at least 30 seconds to ensure a strong bond with the adhesive and glue.
Final Touches: Once all your press-on nails have been applied, you can apply a top hardener coat to give them more seal and shine.
How to Remove Press-On Nails Safely
While the application process is crucial in keeping your real nails safe, the removal process is even more important. Using force or harsh methods to remove the press-on nails can easily damage your real nails. Here’s how to do it gently and safely:
Soak in Acetone or Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover: Soak your fingers in acetone or an acetone-free nail polish remover for a few minutes while occasionally wiggling the nails to start loosening the glue. Continue soaking until you can easily pull the nails away from the glue.
Soak in Warm Water: Alternatively, you can soak your fingers in warm water with a bit of soap for about 20 minutes. Like with acetone, move the nails back and forth while soaking to loosen the glue.
Use Cuticle Oil: Apply a cuticle-oil soaked cotton ball to your press-on nails, focusing on the edges so that the oil can reach the glue. After about five minutes, the glue should start to loosen, and you should be able to pull off the press-on nails easily.
Nail Care Tips
Even if you have damaged nails from acrylic or gel nails, you can still maintain healthy nails by following these care tips:
Moisturize Regularly: Apply a moisturizer to your hands and cuticle oil to your fingers that contain nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, and Vitamin E.
Tame Your Cuticles: Never pick at or pull your cuticles to prevent painful areas.
Buff Your Nails: Buff your nails instead of applying tons of polish when your nails need to breathe.
Choose the Right Emery Board: Choose an emery board that isn’t too rough on your nails and can actually exacerbate existing issues like breakage and cracking.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your nails (and hair) healthy, strong, and nourished.
Avoid Nail Polish Removers with Acetone: Acetone can be stripping and drying to your natural nails. Use acetone-free nail polish removers instead.
Final Thoughts
Press-on nails can be a safe and stylish alternative to traditional acrylic or gel nails, provided they are used correctly. By adhering to the proper application and removal process and taking care of your nails, you can rock beautiful press-on nails without causing any damage to your real nails.
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