Christine KellerFor the longest time, ladies have been shying away from fake nails because they are infamous for ruining and causing damage to natural nails. This applies to acrylics and other types such as press on or glue on nails. But do press on nails damage your nails in the first place? Is this claim true or is it just another misconception?
Don’t panic just yet. Press-on nails don’t actually damage your nails. After all, these are only acrylics applied on top of your natural nails. The only time that glue-on nails will ruin your own nails is when they are improperly applied and removed.
Read on below to know more about press-on nails, the damages they may cause, and how to prevent the issue from happening.
How Do Press On Nails Damage Your Nails?
Today’s glue-on nails are no longer the same as those tacky and cheap nails that you probably bought at the drugstore when you were still in middle school. If you are like most kids, you might have been there and done that.
Most modern companies today produce higher-quality glue-on nails. These nails don’t just look great because, at the same time, they have also been specially designed to be safely used on natural nails.
The highest quality press-on nails are often made of acrylic resin, and they look great and are durable as well. Many of these glue-on nails are available in kits and already include various sizes complete with the adhesive you will use.
Read This Next:
Problems will only occur if you try substituting the nail adhesive included in the kit with a different one.
Press On Nail Damages Because of Adhesives
Maybe you have run out of nail glue or you even lost it but you don’t want to wait for a few more days for your online order to arrive. You can use any type of glue out there, right? Here’s the thing. Even if glue-on nails will stick using superglue, this won’t really be healthy not only for your nails but also for your body as a whole.
The biggest favor you can do to yourself is to buy nail glue rather than sticking with any generic glue you can find in stores. You won’t experience any issues if you stick with using the actual recommended nail glue.
If you aren’t too careful, generic glue may cause infection and the growth of bacteria between your real nail and the glue-on nail. You will know that something is wrong once your nail or nails start smelling bad.
Press On Nail Damages Because of Removal
Ripping off your press-on nails is another way that these fake nails can damage your natural nails. No matter what nail adhesive you are using, take note that this is meant to securely adhere the glue on nail to your natural nail.
If you rip off your glue on nails, it may also rip off the layers of your natural nails. The worst thing that can happen is when your actual nail gets lifted off the nail bed because of the force you applied when you ripped off your press-on nail. Now, no one wants to endure this kind of pain.
Read This Next:
How Do You Apply Press On Nails Properly to Prevent Damage on Your Nails?
You see, press-on nails on their own don’t necessarily damage your natural nails. Incorrect handling of glue on nails is the reason that can bring about damage to your own nails.
To prevent this from happening, the best thing you can do is to learn how to attach press-on nails correctly. The good news is that this is simple and easy to do, and there are just a few simple steps you need to follow.
Use the Right Adhesive
Decide if you will use a sticky tab or nail glue. Sticky tabs are your best bet if you like to minimize the risks of causing damage to your natural nails since these don’t stick in the same way as nail glue. But if you wish to use your press-on nails longer, you will be better off with nail glue. Apply the adhesive and press down for up to 30 seconds.
Clean Your Natural Nails
See to it that your nails are always clean. Remove any leftover nail polish or adhesive. Push back those cuticles and trim your nails to prevent them from attaching to your press-on nails. Cleaning your nails also reduces the risks of infection. You can also seal your natural nails with a clear base coat.
Choose the Correct Size
Make sure you use press-on nails sized correctly for your nails. While other sizes may fit perfectly, sometimes, a bit of filing might be necessary to make it fit well. Filing off is important to make everything look natural and ensure that your glue-on nails feel more comfortable while worn.
Read This Next:
How Do You Remove Press On Nails Properly to Prevent Damage on Your Nails?
Removing press-on nails is equally important as applying them. Never be too abrasive or rough with your nails since these will only cause damage to them.
Remove Press-On Nails with Care
Loosen the adhesive and use a cuticle remover to carefully remove your glue-on nails. Move carefully from side to side and avoid forcing it. Soak your nails to avoid aggressive removal.
Get Rid of Leftover Adhesive
Use a cuticle pusher to get rid of any leftover adhesive. Soak your nails in cuticle oil as needed. Use water and soap to wash your hands afterward. Moisturize your fingers and hands then apply cuticle oil to your nails.
Soak Those Nails
A warm water soak can help loosen up the adhesive’s stickiness. You can also add soap to the warm water to make it even better. See to it that you soak them properly and avoid rushing. See to it that the water is still warm as you soak your nails. A longer soak is often better.
In addition to water, you can also soak your nails using pure acetone or acetone-free nail polish remover. However, since acetone tends to be a harsh chemical, wiggle your nails now and then if you will use it for the soak.
Apply Cuticle Oil
Cuticle oil can also be used for the safe removal of press on nails to prevent damaging your natural nails. Get a cotton ball and soak it with oil and try getting below the glue-on nail through its sides. The oil will lessen the stickiness of the adhesive, eventually removing the glue-on nail.
Press on nails themselves don’t damage your nails, but improper application and removal do. So, be careful with applying and removing press-on nails to enjoy them to the fullest with no worries!
