Acrylic Nails 101

November 1, 2017

Most women at one time or another will have acrylic nails put on. Very few are advised how to properly care for them at home.

Acrylic Nails 101 provides helpful tips on how to keep them looking great in between salon appointments.

french white tip acrylic nails

In order to maintain your Nail Enhancements for long-term wear ability, please read and follow these simple guidelines:

How often do I need to have my nails refilled?

Once your new set has been applied Refills should be done every 3-4 weeks (depending on your natural nail growth) which is usually 1/8 of an inch per month.

What about the growth in between Refills?

• A regular Buff and Polish in between visits (done at home yourself or by your nail technician) is recommended to help maintain the look of your nails, as this will increase the life of your acrylic nails.

• If nails become too long repetitive or severe pressure on the nail extension can lead to cracks that will eventually result in a breakage. It is highly recommended that the nail length be shortened on a semi-regular basis.

How do I keep my cuticles looking neat and tidy?

Your cuticle is there for a reason; it’s the skin barrier that prevents bacteria from entering your body.

• Applying a Cuticle Cream on a regular basis will keep cuticles from becoming overgrown and suffocating future nail growth.

• Rubbing CND Solar Oil once a day into cuticles and over the nails is recommended to keep cuticles healthy and help maintain acrylic flexibility. If the acrylic becomes brittle it will crack and eventually break.

Now that my nails look good, how do I keep my hands looking nice?

• Using a gentle hand exfoliant twice a week will remove any dry, dead skin cells and give your hands a youthful appearance then apply hand cream to Moisturise! Moisturise! Moisturise!

Moisturising your hands and nails every day with a hand cream is important to maintaining soft, younger-looking hands!

• For intense hydration you may wish to treat your hands (or feet) to a Paraffin Treatment a perfect addition to your next Manicure or Pedicure.

How often should I change my nail polish?

• Nail polish will not peel or chip off acrylic as it does on natural nails.

It is advisable not to change your nail polish more than once a week, using a Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover.

• Using Polish Remover too often will weaken the bonding of the acrylic and may result in service breakdown.

• If you don’t have time to repaint your nails in between salon visits consider having your nails painted with a Gel Polish

When I paint my nails at home, how do I keep my polish looking Salon perfect?

In order to keep your polish looking as good as the day it was applied, it is highly recommended that you use a Base Coat before you apply your colour and finish with a coat of Top Coat when you apply nail colour.

• Base Coat should always be applied to the nail before applying nail polish as this will protect the acrylic from discolouration.

• To keep your nail polish shiny, apply one coat of Top Coat each week between salon visits.

Not only will your nail polish be shiny, but it will also help prevent the ends of the polish from wearing away.

For tips on how to achieve the perfect paint job click here

What else do I need to know about taking care of my Acrylic Nails?

• It is recommended to wear rubber gloves when performing household chores, gardening and especially when using harmful detergents such as Exit Mould, Domestos, White King and household bleaches. 

Most cleaning solutions contain chemicals that will affect the acrylic bonding and eventually result in service breakdown.

• Nails that are too long for your lifestyle may result in service breakdown. If your nails become too long between appointments, shorten the length with a 150 grit nail file.

• Some medications, antibiotics and Anaesthetics may result in the acrylic lifting from your own nails. Please advise your nail technician if you are on medication so extra precautions can be taken during your Acrylic Refill.

• If your natural nails (underneath) become discoloured due to the use of make-up (foundation) or handling foods such as mushrooms, pumpkin or carrots, the use of an old toothbrush and some toothpaste will bleach them back to white in a matter of minutes!

Try bleaching your nails once or twice a month. Toothpaste is gentle enough to use on both natural nails and acrylic nails.

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