Introduction:
Artificial nails are fake nails attached to the natural nails to mimic the look of the actual nails and are added colors to give an artistic look. They are not replacements but temporary extensions to give the nails an esthetic look. They usually need regular follow-ups to maintain them without damage.
What Are the Types of Artificial Nails?
There are various types of artificial nails available nowadays.
They are,
-
Gel Nails: These are extensions of nails cured using ultraviolet light and can be adhered to the nails using gel adhesives.
-
Acrylic Nails: These are made out of acrylic glass and are cured immediately.
-
Nail Wraps: These are made of silk fabric or fiberglass, can be customizable and are fixed on the nails with glue.
-
Nail Tips: These are used to extend the length of natural nails and are directly attached. They are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors.
-
Press-on Nails: These are stock-made artificial nails that individuals can glue to their nails by themselves.
-
Dip Powder: In this type, the nail is painted with a liquid and dipped into the colored powder.
How Are Artificial Nails Beneficial?
-
Standard Benefits: They are good at masking deformed nails. They prevent individuals from the habit of nail-biting. They prevent nail splitting and breakage. They are helpful to individuals who cannot grow their nails as much as they wish.
-
Acrylic Nails: They are generally used to mask weak nails and provide a natural look to the nails. They are available in various options and are long-lasting.
-
Gel Nails: Gives a uniform appearance to the nails and help in masking nail disfigurements.
-
Nail Wraps: Silk wraps are used in this type. They do not appear bulky. These are found to last for about two weeks without damage. They are found to be aesthetic and cheap.
-
Press-on Nails: Since these nails only involve placement of the artificial nails with a nail glue, no adverse effects were found if used and removed correctly.
How Do They Ruin The Natural Nails?
-
Acrylic Nails: The cuticles at the bottom edge of the nails get inflamed or itchy when the instruments used for applying acrylic nails are rough or coarse. Overused tools can also lead to infection around the nails. In addition, acrylics often weaken the nails because the natural nails are trimmed off before placing acrylics. They can also cause stunted growth of the nails.
-
Gel Nails: As natural nails are trimmed off with an electric tool to fix the gel nails, it causes a weakening of the natural nails. The gel nails are usually cured with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet rays can lead to skin damage, such as thinning of the skin, brown spots, and wrinkling. And when these gel polishes are tried to remove, it sometimes can lead to splitting the nail plate from the nail bed.
-
Press-on Nails: These are found to have no adverse effects but can lead if the individual is allergic to ingredients in the nail glue or the acetone used to remove it.
-
Nail Wraps: These are usually not that damaging to the nails. However, after removal, residues left behind on the nails can make the nail rough and act as a house for harmful bacteria.
What Are the Tips to be Followed After Getting Artificial Nails?
-
File the nails regularly but in one direction.
-
Soak nails in olive oil.
-
Massage the fingertips with cuticle oil.
-
Do not expose the nails to any chemical products.
-
Wear gloves while washing the clothes and dishes.
-
Hydrate and take a balanced diet.
What Are Dermatologist Tips to Save The Nails From Damage?
-
Get the nails done by a specialist in the salon. Avoid doing it at home.
-
Avoid removing the nails. Instead, get it done by a specialist to prevent damage to the natural nails.
-
Check whether the instruments used in the salon are sterile.
-
If any adverse reactions develop after the procedure, report to the specialist immediately for further management.
-
If artificial nails are aesthetically appealing, use them only when required, like on special occasions. Using them less frequently will allow the natural nails to be repaired.
-
Ask the technician not to trim the cuticles. A cuticle is a layer of skin at the nail's bottom edge, protecting the upcoming nail from infectious organisms. These are usually cut to make the nail surface smoother. But trimming them will pave the way for bacteria to enter. So avoid trimming cuticles.
-
Gel nails are usually cured by using ultraviolet light. However, to reduce ultraviolet ray exposure, it is better to visit a salon where they use LED (light emitting diode) light for curing.
-
Prefer getting gel nails to acrylic nails. This is because, in the case of acrylic nails, the natural nails will be filed off to fix the acrylic nails, and in the process, the natural nails become too thin, so removal of acrylic nails may lead to cracking of the natural nails. So it is better to go for a flexible gel nail that can be removed by soaking in acetone.
How To Fix the Damaged Nails?
-
Make sure to use cuticle oil to keep nails moisturized.
-
To strengthen the nails through diet, consume a diet rich in omega-3 and biotin.
-
Apply nail strengtheners before applying nail polish.
-
Allow the nails to breathe until the next nail extension.
Conclusion:
No matter how the natural nail looks, it can improved in their appearance with artificial nails. There are many options available to make the best of the choice. However, as every little thing has pros and cons, there are some benefits and drawbacks to each style. So it is good to search for the best artificial nails.
