Can Acrylics Really Cause Damage to Natural Nails and Hair Extensions?
And what about real extensions?
On the other side of the coin you have real hair used in hair extensions – and this type is sourced from happy donors from all ethnicities; allowing for a wide range of clients to be looked after and catered to. Although this type of extension may be a little more expensive, they tend to outlast synthetic alternatives by many months and provide a far more realistic finish.
Which type of hair extension should you go for?
That all depends on what you are hoping to achieve from your accessories, how long you want them to last and of course your budget.
If you are keen to enjoy temporary extensions, there’s really no need to go for real hair options. But if you are planning to keep these types of hair accessories in for more than a few hours, you’ll probably want to opt for an alternative with more resilience to day to day activities.
For years now there have been stories about acrylic nails supplies causing damage to the natural cuticles underneath and in many cases these tales have been more than enough to put people off of having false nails fitted. Although damage can occur within natural nails; is it really down to acrylics being applied – and if so, what is it that causes the issues?
The truth about acrylics used for false nails
False nails, particularly those that use acrylic within their application, can be some of the most hard-wearing accessories available and to shape them carefully professional nail drills should be used. The higher the quality, the longer the nails can last – and this can be one of the most appealing features of this type of manicure. In order to be positioned firmly, plastic nail forms will need to be glued to the natural nail with an adhesive and then sealed with an acrylic formula.
And this is where the first myth rears its ugly head. Not all adhesives will be suitable for nail application – and some of the most common offenders included super glues and wood glues. The composition within these glue types might be suitable for other applications, but they can also cause damage to the natural nail as a result.
This is why most good beauty therapists and manicurists will recommend using nail glue – a specific type of product aimed at gluing nails without exposing anyone to damage or injury.
Are there other concerns with acrylic nails?
In some cases, when using nail art supplies the glue used within these types of manicures can dry incredibly hard – especially if the adhesive is intended to be used for a longer period of time. In these cases, the glue can sometimes form such a bond between the false and real nail that if the former one splits or cracks, it can take a toll on the natural nail underneath. These events are very unlikely however, and it’s one of the reasons why beauticians may choose to buff the underside of the false nail beforehand and why they always use nail shop & beauty products made especially for acrylic nails in salons.
This can help to ensure that should any movement take place the glue will simply crack and break apart, instead of taking the natural cuticle with it.
And what about the long term concerns of using false nails?
Most acrylics will last for between 4 and 6 weeks, but there can be times when they can remain in place for up to 3 months. In these cases, the only concerns relate to the gap that can appear between the false nail and the layer of skin at the base of the cuticle. This isn’t a painful event however – it can simply be quite obvious when looked at. To combat this, a filler can be applied which can allow the acrylic to appear longer, whilst protecting the real nail underneath.