Is Acrylic bad for my nails?
Short answer: No, acrylic isn’t bad for your nails!
Situation: You get a set of acrylics done at the mall. Cool, long nails!
You get them taken off 3 weeks later… and your nails that grew out underneath are now nice and long - but they’re bendy, thin, weak, and start splitting and cracking almost immediately.
The general thought process is, “I got acrylics, therefore acrylic ruined my nails” - in reality, your weak, bendy nails are a result of heaps of layers being removed unnecessarily in the prep and removal process.
We’ve all been to a “mall” salon (untrained technicians performing services using non-regulated products) - however the lack of education for clients around safe nail services, products and aftercare has qualified technicians everywhere losing out on clientele simply because [clients are] under the impression that professional nail products (whether gel or acrylic) are damaging for your natural nails.
Ways your nails may get damaged at a salon:
Have it over-filed with too much pressure and too high a grit file/nail drill burr bit
Unqualified technicians have no idea that they’re ruining your nails, because they don’t know why or how they should (or shouldn’t!) use specific tools - as your nails grow out, your damage will get worse and worse until you inevitably get super low, painful splitting and breaking. Because it takes 3+ months for your nail to grow from cuticle to tip, you’re in for a long wait to get fresh new, healthy nail coming through (this is where a qualified technician can help!).
Get poorly structured/shaped extensions
Unqualified technicians aren’t trained in technique and importance of shaping product. The wrong shape for your lifestyle will make it harder to keep your nails in good nick for the amount of time you want them to - and the wrong structure will do even worse. Nails that are built too thin, thick, flat or at a wonky angle won’t be able to absorb the impact of everyday use in the same way properly structured nails will - you’ll end up with them popping off, lifting badly, or cracking/splitting painfully as they won’t be able to withstand life properly.
Have your product ripped or filed off
Just as prepping the nail to ensure minimal layers are filed off, removing is just as important - if your product is heavily filed off or forcefully ripped off, you’ll be further unnecessarily removing so many layers of natural nail. This is especially damaging if you’re then heading off to continue the cycle by having them redone by an untrained technician who is then going in to prep your nails again in a damaging way - this is a vicious cycle for people who have nails removed forcefully and although there’s length there, the nails are so weak and damaged you’ll feel as though you need something on top of them to reinforce them to keep the strength (but going to an untrained tech just makes this worse, and doesn’t allow your natural nail the chance to regrow strong and healthy underneath your product).
Ways you can minimise damage at a nail salon:
Visit a qualified nail technician who uses professionally-formulated products
The truth is, untrained technicians aren’t actually able to purchase professional products, so as well as having no idea how to care for your natural nail, they’re also using products full of nasties and potential allergens.
Trained professionals are required to care for your natural nails and use professionally-formulated products correctly and safely.
Get your extensions fitted properly to your personal natural nail shape
Whether it’s glued-on tips, gel extensions or nail forms, your nail technician should be carefully customising the shape of your extensions to your natural nails to minimise over-exposure to product and give you the best possible adhesian and longevity.
Make sure you’re using the correct product for your lifestyle
Acrylic may work best for you, but you could also consider gel or acrylgel in terms of longevity (depending on your hobbies and work)
If you’re visiting a mall salon, require them to remove your product by soaking and not e-filing
Request to have your product soaked off in Acetone rather than having it ripped or filed off - this will save a huge chunk of your natural nail being removed and potentially a lot of pain.
The best way to care for your nails is to see a qualified professional! You can Google “nail tech near me”, or if you’re based in Auckland, check out our price list and book in with us here - we’d love to have you!
Disclaimer: If caring for the health of your natural nail is important to you, I recommend never setting foot in an unregulated salon - however I do understand the ease of popping into a mall and getting a manicure, so it’s important you understand the difference between trained and untrained professionals, and why to keep on top of your own natural nail health as much as you can while you receive unregulated services. You can use a quality cuticle oil to care for your nails home (click here to see our range).