Beauty
The moment of truth.
Naturally, I wanted acrylics myself, but the answer was alwaysnountil I was well into high school.
And thats because my mom was worried that theyd damage my nails.
Are acrylics bad for your nails?
Read on, because Bustle pinged a few nail care experts to find out.
How Are Acrylics Applied?
Applying acrylic to the nail beds is an artform, says Los Angeles-based manicuristChelsea King.
Using acrylic is an effective way to add length and strength to your nail, she tells Bustle.
Techniques can vary, but youll first begin witha basic manicure.
From there, they can be filed and shaped to the desired finish.
How Do Acrylics Compare To Gel Nails?
The finished look isnt that different between the different enhancements either, says King.
Acrylics are also stronger than gels which can be a double-edged sword.
If youve ever worn acrylics for any length of time, you may have experienced the following.
Are Acrylics Bad For Your Nails?
The use of cheaper, potentially harmful acrylic alternatives.
King notes that some salons use methyl methacrylate acrylic (MMA) versus ethyl methacrylate acrylic (EMA).
The former kind, according to King, is actually a dental product and is extremely hard.
And this variety of acrylic makes the gruesome break described above more likely.
With acrylics, theres also the potential for an allergic reaction, says dermatologist and nail specialistDr.
If you feel a burning sensation, she advises that you ask your technician to immediately remove the acrylic.
Just be sure to never use acrylics to conceal and ignore nail abnormalities.
When you see your board-certified dermatologist for an annual skin check, come polish and acrylic free.
How Should Acrylics Be Safely Removed?
If your nail tech pries off acrylics with a [plastic] nail tip run!
And remember, you still have to care for your cuticles when wearing acrylics.
Stern suggests hydrating regularly with acuticle oilor ointment.
As long as you follow expert-recommended best practices, you should be good to enjoy your gorgeous mani.
