Do acrylics damage your real nail?

Dec 14, 2014

Lucy V.

I've been wanting to get acrylic nails for a while now but some people say it makes your nails brittle and I so don't want that. My nails are healthy but I just want more length. For those who have had their nails done, were your nails damaged after?

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

As long as they are applied professionally and not with these stupid electric files then not a great deal of damage is done to the nail. however another important part to remember is the must be soaked off not pulled at or ripped off!

Dec 14, 2014

Shaye M.

Honestly, Everytime I've had them, doesn't matter where I've gone I've always had damaged, thin and brittle nails that snap right off after I get acrylics taken off, personally I just grow my own nails now, it takes a little longer but at least they can breathe. :)

Dec 14, 2014

Zydasia R.

As long as there applied correctly and you go to a really good place you shouldnt have a problem. Once I went to cheap people for 10$ and it broke my nail so bad I had fungus. But go to people who charge above 20.

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

Zydasia I agree! here in England there are so many nail shops that have just popped up and they are undercutting all the professionals. to put it in perspective we charge 30 pounds, they do 2 sets for 25. so with the economy ppl go where it's cheaper. but we have had sooo many clients come in with problems that we fix. or can't fix in some cases ( a client had a hole through her natural nail from one of those electric files!) ouch!!

Dec 14, 2014

Shanae J.

Acrylics, no matter if it's done professionally or not, will damage your natural nail, not only the chemicals involved in acrylic nail application, including nail sculpting powders and gels, but when you take them off after however long you had them on, they haven't had anytime to grow, it peels off the top layer of your nail, basically your natural nail has been trapped. All kinds of dirt can get clogged in between your natural nail and acrylic causing discoloration, this happens if you keep them on for unbelievable amounts of time. Which I don't recommend. I've been taking care of my natural nails, letting them grow out, everyday care, I was a nail bitter, and it wasn't as hard to stop as I thought it'd be, anyways, I couldn't be happier. I love my nails.

Dec 14, 2014

Lucy V.

Laura when you said not a great deal of damage like what did you mean?

Dec 14, 2014

Jack B.

Even if your nails don't sustain long-term damage, once you eventually get them taken off your natural nails will be super thin and kind of gross looking (as they have to be filed down for the acrylics to be applied) and growing out all the damaged nail takes FOREVER. I got mine taken off in early September and there's still like 3 mm of damaged nail remaining on each finger.

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

Hey Lucy what I meant was when the first step is done, they file the surface of the natural nail. this should be done with a soft-ish file and is to only take off the shine of the nails. so that the product adheres to the nail. not 3 and 4 layers like the electric files do. and if this I'd done properly and the nail plate is cleansed and primed then there should be no dirt trapped beneath the acrylic. if it does then it's your therapists job to sort it before it gets chance to discolor. hope this made sense Lucy :)

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

Honestly I do my own nails and I alternate between acrylics and gels so my nails have no time to 'breathe', and my nails are absolutely fine as I do them professionally and remove them slowly and patiently.

Dec 14, 2014

Shanae J.

It's your job to take the nail off before it becomes discolored, not your manicurest. Dirt will indeed get trapped underneath during the process of wearing your acrylics. Your manicurest won't be there constantly to care for your nails. They no longer buff like they used to, they file.. Which is even more damaging, so the entire process is damaging, both getting them applied, wearing them and taking them off as well.

Dec 14, 2014

Shanae J.

At a nail salon, they have clients waiting, and even if no one is waiting, they're still in a rush.. they have no time to do anything slow, nor do any of them have patience.

Dec 14, 2014

Laura C.

Regardless applying acrylics will damage your natural nail plate. there's about 100 layers of nail plate and yes after time your nail will become brittle, especially if the matrix is ever damaged by improper filing. That's my professional opinion as a licensed cosmetology in California. (:

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

Well we offer a service where if the nail starts to lift you can pop in for 1 repair. and unfortunately yes they do train them differently to the 10 years ago that we got trained. that's why I always insist that ppl go to a professional not someone offering it for half the price

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

And we are appointments only strictly. no rushing.

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

Obviously our salons are different so let's agree to disagree...

Dec 14, 2014

Lucy V.

Thank you everyone. I think I'll stick with my natural nails, I'm too scared to damage my natural nails??

Dec 14, 2014

Jack B.

If you want to grow your natural nails longer, jojoba oil is great! It makes them stronger but also flexible, unlike nail hardeners, so they're not brittle and won't break if you knock them against something.

Dec 14, 2014

Shanae J.

Acrylics damage nails, period. Good idea Lucy!

Dec 14, 2014

Lucy V.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Dec 14, 2014

Laura O.

You're welcome sweetie :)

Dec 14, 2014

Shelley W.

I agree with Shanae. I used to wear them and even with proper removal technique by the pro I still was left with thin nails. And then she wouldn't reapply a new set till my nails thickened up. The in ' between care was expensive and timely all so I could slap on another pair of acrylics only to recommit them to the same abuse. Glad I left that beauty addiction alone.

Dec 14, 2014

Louise U.

Hate Acrylics go stay natural

Dec 14, 2014

Traci L.

I have been wearing acrylic nails for 25 years and yes of course they damage your own nails they make them thin and brittle.

Dec 14, 2014

Melissa S.

Yes they do damage your nails even if you get them removed professionally they become weak and also in my case I even got dents on my nails and had to wait for my nails to grow out for it to be gone