Many believe nail enhancements, acrylics, or “fake nails” cause damage to your natural nails. But the truth of the matter lies in the products and processes used when applying your nail enhancements.
Certain products contain methyl methacrylate or MMA which requires deeper filing of the natural nail thus removing layers of nail. This results in thinner and weaker nails. MMA acrylics tend to cause more damage to your nails if you accidentally hurt them too! Not fun!
At Sparklicious Nails, I use only MMA-free products. I only scuff up the surface of the nail to remove the shine and ensure that the product adheres. When you decide to remove your enhancements, your natural nails will look just like they did when you first had product applied! The way it should be!
I never pry or peel product off either. Forcing product off of your natural nails causes nail delamination. Nail enhancements stick to your nails and when you yank them off they will take layers of your nail with them! This results in thinner nails no matter which product is used to apply! I always recommend soaking off gel or acrylic products to ensure that your nails stay strong and beautiful! It may take more time to soak them off, but it is so worth it to see healthy natural nails underneath!
Yet another opportunity to cause damage is during fills or whenever an E-file or drill is used.
Did you know, when an E-file is used, you should never feel it?? Feeling some warmth is a sign that the nail tech is lingering to long in one spot or pressing a little to hard with the drill. This isn’t done on purpose, but sometimes product is difficult and needs a little extra elbow grease. But again, this can be done without causing you pain! If you do feel warmth, let your nail tech know so that they don’t cause you further pain! We don’t want our clients hurting, but can’t feel what you feel. Different clients have different tolerances. If asked, I will happily only use hand files to shape and finish acrylic nails!
If a nail tech lingers too long in one spot on a nail, this can cause “Rings of Fire”! These are red ridges dug into your natural nail bed. Sometimes they can happen and be hidden underneath the acrylic so you won’t see them until the product is removed! I’ve had several clients come in from different salons, asking for a fill, and once polish is removed we see the “Rings of Fire” on several nails! Although this is painful and unsightly, it is not permanent! The red ridges will grow out as your nail grows. So with proper nail care and drill usage, your nails will be able to grow out strong and healthy.
In short, nail enhancements SHOULD NOT cause damage! With the proper tools, products, and care from your nail tech, you will be able to have beautiful nail enhancements as long as you want and remove them whenever to reveal perfectly healthy natural nails!
Nails are gems, not tools. Trust me to make them sparkle!
👈🏻 Here are some “Rings of Fire” I found hiding underneath a new client’s acrylic! You can see that she was being injured every two weeks by her previous nail tech!
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Nail Enhancements:
Are They Damaging?
Sparklicious Nails
5.1.19