Acrylic nails can have a bad reputation. They’re a popular nail enhancement, but they’re also viewed as being damaging to your nails. However, when acrylic nails are applied and removed correctly, they can provide numerous benefits for your nails.
For example, many people believe that acrylic nails can help your natural nail beds grow quicker. This is because acrylic nails can be a protective barrier to your natural nails. You may notice that your nails can retain length and shape easier with acrylics.
So, why do nails grow faster with acrylics? Surprisingly enough, acrylics won’t affect how fast your nails grow, but they can preserve the length you already have. Acrylics are a durable enhancement that acts as a protective coating so the nails won’t break.
You may be thinking your nails are growing faster simply because you’re paying more attention to new growth at the cuticle. The gap between old and new growth with an acrylic nail as the marker is much more noticeable.
If you continue to maintain your acrylics correctly, you’ll notice how long your nails have grown since you started. This may give the illusion that your nails have grown faster because they didn’t break due to external factors.
However, learning to care for acrylic nails can be challenging. For example, you can’t remove acrylic like regular nail polish. The proper application and removal methods will ensure that you don’t ruin your natural nails underneath.
What Are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are some of the most durable nail enhancements you can get. They are mainly used to sculpt a new nail on top of your natural nail plates. However, acrylic nails are risky. They can do wonders for your nails or break them.
Acrylic nails are made by mixing a powder and a liquid. A monomer is a liquid used to combine your powder and create the acrylic. Once these two products are mixed together, you’ll form a small bead with a dough-like texture that creates your new nail.
Nail techs can use either tips or nail forms to sculpt your acrylic nails. Both of these tools provide a base to work from and help achieve your desired finish. Surprisingly enough, acrylics are safe to apply often if you have the correct application.
Who Can Get Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are an excellent option for a wide range of people. Whether you’re looking to grow out your nails or you want to experiment with a new shape, acrylics can work wonders. Acrylics provide a perfect canvas for intricate nail art.
Do your nails have to be a certain length to get acrylics? Thankfully, even if you have short nails, you can still get acrylics. It’s especially helpful for those who have bitten, brittle, or short nails that are difficult to grow out.
It’s crucial to remember that acrylic is used to build and shape an entirely new nail on your natural plates. The right nail tech will ensure you have the right shape and fit regardless of how long or short your natural nail beds are.
Benefits Of Acrylic Nails
Most people fear acrylic nails because they can be damaging. However, that’s only true if you remove or misapply them. It may surprise some that acrylic nails can offer numerous benefits for your natural nail beds.
For example, acrylic is a sturdy and durable nail enhancement that can resist external elements. So whether you’re washing the dishes or taking on another hands-on task, acrylic can withstand it all. They can also last anywhere between 2-4 weeks.
Because they are durable, acrylics are a great way to grow out your nails. They provide a thick protective coating that can resist damage and breakage. You can also customize your desired length every time you go in for an acrylic refill.
Can Acrylic Make Your Natural Nails Grow Faster?
Can your natural nails grow faster with acrylic? On average, nails can grow one-tenth of an inch each month. However, numerous factors like your environment, genetics, diet, and lifestyle contribute to nail growth.
Acrylic nails can’t increase the rate at which your nails grow, but they can preserve and protect the length you already have.
It may seem like your nails grow faster with acrylic because its protective barrier ensures that the nails don’t break while growing out, and the gab between your acrylic nail and cuticle is much more noticeable because the acrylic acts as a marker between old and new growth.
However, over time and with the proper care, you’ll notice how acrylics can help you maintain and grow your nails out longer than they would naturally. Acrylic nails are easily customizable to help you reach your nail goals.
So, acrylic nails can help you grow out your nails, but they can’t affect how quickly they grow. That’s left to your genetics, diet, lifestyle, and environment.
How To Maintain Acrylic Nails
Your acrylic nails will only last as long as you take care of them.
Unfortunately, most people believe that nail care stops as soon as you leave the salon. However, you need to care for your acrylics at home, especially if you want them to help grow your nails.
As much as acrylic nails are durable, you’ll still want to treat them gently. For example, you’ll still want to avoid contact with water or moisture to prevent them from lifting or weakening. You’ll need to nourish your skin and cuticles too.
Hydrated and healthy cuticles ensure that your new nails grow long and strong.We recommend using a cuticle oil like this one from CND on Amazon. Also, if your acrylic happens to break, see your nail tech quickly. Any at-home methods to fix acrylics can backfire if you have no experience.
How To Shorten Acrylic Nails
If you’re looking to shorten your nails or the acrylic has grown out, it’s time for a refill appointment. A refill appointment touches up your acrylic nails and ensures it covers the entire plate just before the cuticle. This will prevent breakage in the long run.
For example, if you let your first set of acrylic grow out completely, the nail’s apex will not have protection, and the nails are more prone to snapping. You can also shorten your nails during a refill appointment, so they’re manageable.
The best way to shorten your nails is by seeing your nail tech. You can slightly file down your nails at home, but it may reduce the durability of the acrylic if you do it incorrectly. So it’s always best to see a nail tech to keep your nails safe.
If you’d like to see the process fo reshaping acrylics from long to short, take a look at this video below from YoungNailsInc on YouTube.
What Happens When You Remove Acrylic Nails?
You’ve finally reached your desired nail length and want to remove your acrylics.
Unfortunately, once you remove these enhancements, you also eliminate the protective barrier they provided. So, your natural nails are more susceptible to external factors.
You may notice that your natural nails are thinner than the thick acrylic that used to be on your nails.
They will be prone to everyday wear and tear if you don’t look out for them. The length can be more challenging to maintain after removing the acrylic as well.
However, you can care for your natural nails by implementing a nail strengthener or hardener the first couple of weeks after removing acrylics. Also, with the right nail tech, acrylic is safe for your nails in the long term if you want that extra protection.
Do Acrylics Damage Your Nails?
Most people feel intimidated by acrylic nails because they can be damaging. However, acrylic nails can ruin your nail plate if the application, maintenance, or removal are done incorrectly.
This is why it’s crucial to work with an experienced nail tech to avoid damage.
Acrylic nails are very durable, and they can take years for a nail tech to master them. They should never be clipped or ripped off your nail at home because that can diminish all the hard work you’ve done to grow them out in the first place.
Who Should Apply Acrylic Nails?
If you’re interested in getting acrylic nails to grow out your natural ones, it’s best to visit a licensed and experienced nail technician. A nail tech has the proper training to apply, remove, and maintain acrylic nails without damaging the natural plate.
They are trained in applying refills to keep your acrylic nails on for as long as you desire or when they see fit. Also, if you ever want to remove your acrylic, a nail tech can do so gently and provide an at-home routine to nourish your natural nails.
It’s never safe or reasonable to do your own acrylic nails at home. You could cause some severe long-term damage to your nail beds if you do them incorrectly.
Takeaway
While acrylics can’t increase the rate of your nail growth, they can protect and preserve your nail length. Touching up your regrowth with acrylic can help them grow long and strong over time.
Acrylic nails are a sturdy nail enhancement that offers a thick protective coating for your natural nails. Acrylic is a mix of powder and liquid monomer that’s used in conjunction with a nail form to sculpt an artificial nail.
However, once you remove the acrylic, the protective barrier goes along with it. Are you interested in trying acrylic nails?
Related Articles
Can You Put An Acrylic Nail On A Missing Fingernail Or Toenail?
Best Alternatives To Acrylic Nails
Can You Paint Over Acrylic Nails?
