Nails Your Way

How To Care For Artificial Nails

The fast growing nail industry has provided consumers with almost 50,000 freestanding nail salons to choose from across the country. The most requested service, according to the Nails professional magazine fact book, is artificial nails. Wearing artificial extensions involves a tradeoff. In exchange for having consistently nice nails, you must visit your nail salon regularly and you must use greater care to protect your nails than you did before you had them applied.

If you break a nail or if a nail begins to lift, schedule a repair appointment. A broken nail can become infected when moisture becomes trapped between the natural nail and the extension. Treat your nails like jewels, not tools. Wear gloves when you do any kind of housework or gardening. Use a soda can opener on pop-tops, and dial the phone with the eraser end of a pencil. If you wear color or French polish, apply a topcoat every other day to prevent chipping and yellowing. You should choose a length that best suits your lifestyle (whether wearing acrylics, gels, or wraps). For example, if you are especially hard on your nails because you work on the telephone, computer, or cash register, shorter nails may be best for you. Shorter nails can help avoid breakage and have a more appealing natural look. The long talon-look nails have been banned from many restaurant and medical services because scientific evidence has proven that harmful bacteria can consistently grow under the nails because it is more difficult to keep long artificial nails clean.

Some clients may discover that they are allergic to an ingredient in an acrylic or gel nail product. The symptoms of an allergic reaction are redness, itching, swelling, or irritation around the nails or the eyes and mouth. If you develop any of these symptoms have the enhancements removed by a soaking method, never pry off the product because it damages the nail bed.

Drills (or electric files) are commonly used in the nail industry, and, when used improperly can cause damage to the natural nail matrix (the nail growth center). You should not feel any pain or burning when the drill is being used. If you experience any discomfort, tell the nail technician immediately or request that they use only hand filing and buffing during your service.

Artificial acrylics, gels, or wraps have been the service of choice for many women. Unfortunately this choice can become a habitual cycle that is very difficult to break. Wearing artificial nail enhancements without allowing a "rest" or "recovery" period can often result in damage to the nail matrix. The matrix contains nerves together with lymph and blood vessels that produce nail cells and control the rate of growth of the nails. Damage to the natural nails can range from thinning, brittleness, or infections---to the separation or lifting of the natural nail from the nail plate. If the artificial nails have been worn too long the nail beds can become tissue paper thin and have a painful or sensitive sensation after the nail enhancement product is removed. Artificial nails should be removed every six or seven weeks allowing the natural nails to recover. Weekly natural nail manicures for at least four weeks should help restore health to the nails unless severe lifting or separation of the nail plate has occurred.

If you want to return to healthy natural nail care, do not take any artificial products off by picking or prying. Although it may seem the simplest way to do it, pulling the nails off can damage your natural nail and make re-growth a long and painful process. Artificial nails can be safely removed if done correctly by a licensed manicurist or nail technician.

Keeping the cuticles and nails smooth, clean, and conditioned will help repair the cuticle dryness and nail brittleness. Using a calcium fluoride treatment helps bring healing to weak thinning nails. In order to "repair" long term damage, a person must be willing to do the work and maintenance required. It may seem impossible at first, but through determination, discipline, and close attention to regular manicures, coupled with a good home care plan, you can return to natural nails and see positive results. Patience is the key to success because it normally takes six months for fingernails to grow out completely.

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Nails Your Way
Jeanne Grace Curtis
5900 Orchard Road
Douglasville GA 30135-4726

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