Acrylic nails

Acrylic nails are the definition of glamor in the beauty world and anyone with eyes can see it. What it is? How are acrylic nails applied? How long do acrylic nails last? Are acrylic nails safe?

What are acrylic nails?

According to Nails magazine, acrylic nails are nail enhancements that are achieved by combining a liquid acrylic product with a powdered acrylic product. The two products (known as monomer and polymer, respectively) together form a soft ball that can be shaped into a nail. Once the nail technician applies this acrylic to the client's nails, the material hardens and becomes much stronger. And then it can be encrypted and served at the discretion of the client. Acrylics were first developed in 1954 by American dentist Fred Slack while trying to "fix" a broken nail with dental acrylic.

At first, acrylic included methyl methacrylate, which made artificial nails very thick, brittle, and could not take shape. It also turned out that methyl methacrylate caused significant harm to the natural nail - the level of its toxicity was recognized as unacceptable for use in the nail extension procedure and hazardous to the health of both the master and the client. In 1974, the use of methyl methacrylate in the production of materials for nail extensions was banned and less dangerous ethyl methacrylate was used instead, causing much less harm to both the client's natural nail plate and the health of the master constantly in contact with the material.

How are acrylic nails applied?

Once you have chosen your preferred nail shape, length and color, your technician should begin prescribing acrylic paints, cleaning, impregnating and preserving natural nails. If you requested to add length to your nails, they will add artificial tips after that. (If you requested very short acrylic nails, they will skip this step.) The nail technicians will then apply glue before attaching the acrylic nails to all of the nail beds. They then sand and form acrylic paints. Lastly, they add any extra polish, accessories, or nail items you requested at the start of the meeting.

How long do acrylic nails last?

The lifespan of acrylic nails varies widely from person to person. For example, if someone uses their hands for work quite often - especially for manual labor - to this person, acrylic nails will not work, as they will not be in good condition for long. For ladies who only use their hands for typing, this is the perfect solution. Experts say you need to return to the salon every two to three weeks to fill in the gaps that appear as your natural nails grow.

Are acrylic nails safe?

In an article for the Mayo Clinic, dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson says artificial nails are unlikely to harm natural nails if they are healthy. However, you may run into some problems if you are not careful when maintaining them. If your artificial nail is damaged or if you let your nails grow out too long, a gap can develop between your acrylic and your real nail. A warm and humid environment is a breeding ground for a nasty infection. Infection can also occur if you order very long or stiff acrylics. Of course, if your technician uses unsanitary tools, this will put you at greater risk of adverse reactions (as is the case with almost all cosmetic procedures). Fortunately, there are ways for acrylic nail lovers to be as safe as possible. In addition to making sure your nail technician properly sterilizes all the tools used during treatments, it's also a good idea to choose salons that display a current license and technicians that are licensed by the state board.

For optimal safety, ask for a new nail file or bring your own (nail files cannot be sterilized like other nail tools). If you find signs of a nail infection such as redness, swelling, and pus, talk to a healthcare professional you trust about the best treatment for you!

And remember, acrylic materials are flammable, so contact with the heated metal parts of the flats should be avoided.