These days, a majority of women make it to salons for getting their nails done. Those who have short or damaged nails are ready to invest a hefty sum for setting things right and there are plenty of options available for them, as far as techniques of false nail application are concerned. Acrylic nails have come up as one of the most popular artificial nail solutions for women battling with nail woes.
Nail Art Using Acrylic Nails
What are acrylic nails and how are they done?
Acrylic nails are a type of artificial nails, which are created with a mix of liquid monomer and powder monomer that form a hard protective layer over the entire nail. In some cases, they are used as nail extensions rather than covering the whole surface of the nail, which means that they come across in the form of nail tips. Once these acrylic nails are crafted, they are allow to harden by exposure to air and provide a nail like appearance, over which you can apply nail polish or any other kind of nail art. The process involves emission of a strong odor but it is quite harmless. There is not much to be done related to the maintenance of acrylic nails. Over a period of time, acrylic nails grow out along with the natural nails, but one has to take a trip to the salon every 2-3 weeks to have the acrylics filled in. The acrylic edge near the nail bed is filed down by the technician, and the gap between the nail bed and the existing acrylic is them filled again. These nails have to be removed when the seal is broken accidentally because the nail is them exposed to the risk of fungal infection. Removal of acrylic nails is also as simple. There is no need to force or pry them out; rather they can be made to come off by simply immersing them in nail polish remover for a period of 15 minutes.
Other Types of Artificial Nails
In addition to acrylic nails, gel and silk are the other varieties in artificial nails. Each type has its own attributes and pros and cons and can be chosen by the wearer accordingly.
Gel Nails
Gel nails are created with the help of a special gel, which is not very thick in texture but resembles that of a nail polish. This material is used to extend the length of the nails by brushing on the nail surface or nail tips. After the application of each coat of the gel, it is made to harden by putting the nails under UV light for a minute or two.
Silk Nails
Silk nails differ from acrylic and gel nails in respect that they are not used to extend the length of the natural nails, but impart strength to them. They are generally used for a shorter time span for the purpose of treating any kind of nail trauma.
Choosing between Acrylic and Gel Nails
Acrylic nails and gel nails are on the flip sides of the same coin because both are meant to extend the length of short or damaged nails, make them stronger and beautify your fingers. However, there are some differences between the techniques as well as end results, which are the reasons why some people prefer one over the other. Both the techniques have their own sets of pros and cons which can be considered while choosing between them. An expert technician can help you decide the right option according to your personalized requirements and so can friends who have tried them out. Here are some things to consider while choosing between acrylic nails and gel nails:
Pros and Cons of Acrylic Nails
The main benefit which works in favor of these nails is their strength, which means that they can be robust and long lasting if done correctly. In case the nail breaks, it can be fixed at home, without professional assistance. Similarly, its maintenance as well as removal is quite simple. The cost of crafting acrylic nails is lower than that of creating gel nails, which is another factor that makes acrylic nails preferred option.
On the other hand, there are some cons such as they are not as natural looking as gel nails. Strong chemicals are used for creating the nails, which makes them harmful for some women as those who are pregnant. Another reason which makes you cautious about these nails is that they can damage the nail bed due to bacterial or fungal infection when accidentally damaged.
Pros and Cons of Gel Nails
Gel nails are not only better because of their glossier and more natural looks, but are also considered eco friendly because they neither use harmful chemicals, nor exude odorous smoke. They are also cured faster as compared to acrylics.
On the other hand, durability comes up as a major issue if you choose gel nails because they do not last as long as acrylic nails. They are costlier and harder to maintain, particularly when they get damaged because you would require the services of a professional to get them fixed. They cannot be removed by soaking as in case of acrylics, but have to be filed off.
While making a choice between acrylics and gel nails, all these factors have to be considered to arrive at the correct one.
Tips for Acrylic Nails
Here are some tips for prolonging the life of this type of nails and making them look natural and beautiful:
Make sure that you get the right length of nails to suit your lifestyle as maintenance of very long nails may be a problem with some women.
Wearing gloves while doing household chores like washing and chopping vegetables can make the acrylics last longer.
Make sure that you keep your nails dry. Oiling them daily also makes them stronger.
Use an acetone free nail polish remover as acetone can dissolve the acrylics and make the nails weaker.
Take good care of them and get immediate damage control in case of accident. Professional aid is essential in such cases.
Can Acrylic Nails harm Natural Ones?
Though nails made of acrylic have no adverse impact on your natural nails, there is a risk of infection when they get damaged, because the warm conditions in the gap between the natural nail and acrylic provides favorable breeding conditions for bacteria. There can also be some allergic reaction to the chemicals or due to use of unhygienic equipment. Some small precautions related to hygiene and technical expertise can help you indulge in application of acrylic nails safely and effectively.
Popular Acrylic Nail Designs
Here are some popular nail designs:
Short Acrylic Nails
If this is your first adventure with acrylics, start with the short ones.
Extra Long Acrylic Nails
Get these extra long nails made of acrylic for a stunning look.
Natural Acrylic Nails
These natural looking nails blend simplicity with style.
Bold Acrylic Nails
The bold nails made of acrylic make a style statement of their own.
Sparkling Acrylic Nails
Get this eye catching look for your nails with the beautiful sparkling nails.
Bejeweled Acrylic Nail Designs
Make your acrylic nails the canvas for rich beauty with this wonderful bejeweled design.
Dotted Acrylic Nail Designs
Create these simple yet fabulous dots design on your nails and get ready to grab attention.
French Manicure Acrylic Nail Designs
You can try out a variety of French manicure designs on acrylic nails and the visual impact is amazing!
This almost sums up every aspect of acrylic nails, and is sure to help you make the right decision about getting them.
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