Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (2024)

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      Hiding damaged nails might worsen problems

      Covering up brittle, soft, or damaged nails can worsen existing nail problems.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (14)

      Artificial nails can lengthen short nails, making your fingers look long and slender. They can also be hard on your nails.

      To get acrylic nails (a type of artificial nail) to stick, the surface of your natural nails must be filed until they feel rough. This thins your natural nails, making them weaker. Chemicals in the products used to apply artificial nails can irritate the skin around your nails and elsewhere.

      The list of health risks doesn’t end here. To remove artificial nails, you often need to soak in acetone or file them off. If you want to wear artificial nails for more than a few weeks, you’ll need touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks to fill in the gaps that appear as your nails grow. Frequent touch-ups can seriously damage your natural nails.

      In short, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and parched.

      Still, some people love the look of artificial nails. If you’re one of them, these tips from dermatologists can help you reduce the damage:

      • Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack.

        You’ll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.

      • Go to a salon that uses an LED curing light rather than a UV curing light. Gel nails require ultraviolet (UV) light to harden. LED emits lower levels of UV radiation than a UV curing light. An LED light also cures more quickly, which reduces your UV exposure.

      • Ask your nail technician to skip the cuticle trimming. Cuticles are often trimmed when you get any type of manicure. That’s a problem. Cuticles protect your nails and the surrounding skin from infection. When you trim or cut your cuticles, it’s easier for bacteria and other germs to get inside your body and cause an infection. Nail infections can take a long time to clear.

        Cut cuticles also tend to feel rough when they grow back, so a nail technician may continue to trim your cuticles to keep them smooth.

      • Reserve artificial nails for special occasions. If you love the look of artificial nails, getting them only for a special occasion can reduce nail problems. Time without artificial nails gives your nails a chance to repair themselves.

      When you’re not wearing artificial nails, a regular or French manicure can leave your nails looking fabulous.

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      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (2024)

      FAQs

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage? ›

      Unlike traditional techniques like acrylic or gel, dip powder nails do not require any UV light exposure. This eliminates the potential harm caused by UV lights, making dip powder a healthier choice. Moreover, dip powder nails are known to be highly resistant to chipping and peeling, ensuring longer-lasting manicures.

      How to repair nail damage from fake nails? ›

      How to repair damaged nails for good
      1. Damage caused by gel polish and acrylic nails, explained. ...
      2. Ways to strengthen and repair damaged nails. ...
      3. 1) Keep your nails short. ...
      4. 2) Apply a daily nail strengthening treatment. ...
      5. 3) Try a professional treatment. ...
      6. 4) Use a strengthening base coat. ...
      7. 5) Keep nails hydrated.
      Jun 7, 2023

      What is the healthiest way to have fake nails? ›

      Unlike traditional techniques like acrylic or gel, dip powder nails do not require any UV light exposure. This eliminates the potential harm caused by UV lights, making dip powder a healthier choice. Moreover, dip powder nails are known to be highly resistant to chipping and peeling, ensuring longer-lasting manicures.

      What is the least damaging way to remove fake nails? ›

      A good soak in acetone, plus lots of hand cream, should do the trick to get them off and keep your hands soft in the process. And never, ever, ever bite, chew, or peel them off, unless you want serious damage to your nails.

      How do you make your nails healthy after fake nails? ›

      Use natural oils such as jojoba or coconut or a speciall y formulated cuticle balm and your favourite hand cream. Apply hand cream at least three times a day (or when you remember it) and massage oils or specially formulated cuticle balm nightly.

      How to repair damaged nails with home remedies? ›

      Say Goodbye To Brittle Nails With These 6 Home Remedies
      1. Coconut Oil Mask. Coconut oil is rich in healthy fatty acids that provide deep moisturisation to the nails. ...
      2. Vitamin E Massage. Vitamin E can make your brittle nails strong and long. ...
      3. Lemon Juice Soak. ...
      4. Tea Tree Oil. ...
      5. Sea Salt Soak. ...
      6. Olive Oil Massage.
      Jul 2, 2022

      What is the least damaging way to get your nails done? ›

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage
      1. Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. ...
      2. Go to a salon that uses an LED curing light rather than a UV curing light. ...
      3. Ask your nail technician to skip the cuticle trimming. ...
      4. Reserve artificial nails for special occasions.

      What is the least harmful nail treatment? ›

      Gel nail products are typically formulated with non-toxic ingredients, minimizing the exposure to harmful chemicals commonly found in some acrylic or dip systems. At PURE NAILS, we use a non-toxic gel product line that makes these services a safer option for both you and our nail technicians!

      What do nail salons use to remove fake nails? ›

      If you go to a salon, the beauty expert will probably use a remover with acetone as it is far more efficient at dissolving the adhesive. As a result, if you have acrylic nails that have been on for a long time, you should go to a salon so that they can remove them without harming your nails.

      Do press-on nails ruin your nails? ›

      Aside from infection, Dr. Murray said applying and removing fake nails can potentially cause damage, leading to problems like brittle nails and breakage. It's also possible to experience an allergic reaction to the press-on nail itself or the glue used to secure it.

      What is the healthiest option for fake nails? ›

      Gel nail extensions are lighter and healthier for your natural nails. They are also safer because they do not use so many harsh chemicals. They are highly durable and long-lasting. They won't lift and fade quickly.

      What fake nails don't ruin your nails? ›

      Press-on nails are a great alternative to more damaging options like gel polishes and acrylics. Though gel polishes and acrylics may last longer, the removal process for press-on nails is much easier on your nails, and since they only stay on for a couple of weeks, they are less likely to cause any issues.

      How do you fix fake nail damage? ›

      All our pros agreed that your nails could be nursed back to health, without a doubt, but it'll take time. Your damaged nail needs to grow out completely so that it can be replaced with a healthy nail. While you wait, stick to regular nail polish, get regimented about moisturizing, and stay away from acrylics.

      Are my nails permanently damaged from acrylics? ›

      Acrylics shouldn't ruin nails. But, a poor application and removal process of nail acrylics – or any type of nail enhancement- can seriously damage nails. When properly applied by a trained technician, with the right aftercare advice and regular upkeep, acrylics nails shouldn't cause any serious damage.

      Can fake nails ruin your fingernails? ›

      In short, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and parched. Still, some people love the look of artificial nails. If you're one of them, these tips from dermatologists can help you reduce the damage: Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.

      Why are my nails discolored after removing fake nails? ›

      What Causes Discoloration After Removing Acrylic Nails? Nails can often be a barometer of general health, according to Green. "Discoloration of the natural nail can mean that there is an infection or nail fungus," she says.

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