Note:
Getting your acrylics from a reputable nail professional is important. When done by an inexperienced technician, the acrylics may prematurely deteriorate, which is also harmful for your natural nails.
Before deciding on the salon to visit, read reviews first, especially if you’re not familiar with the salon. Have your nails done only when you’re confident and happy with your choice.
If you want durable nails that will keep their perfect look for weeks, then acrylic nails are a great option. However, unwanted and premature chipping, breakage, and lifting can happen, and make your nails look unsightly. If you want to learn how to make your acrylic nails last longer, then read on.
In this post, we’ll provide tips on how you can keep your acrylic nails looking their best long enough to last until your next visit to your favorite salon.
How Long Do Acrylic Nails Last?
A few factors can affect the longevity of your acrylic nails. The major ones include the growth rate of your natural nails, as well as the care and maintenance you provide.
In general, acrylic nails are tough, and can last from 2 to 3 weeks with proper care. Then, the natural nails will start to grow out. However, if you don’t take care of your nails properly, it may start to chip or break sooner than expected.
How Long Do Acrylic Nails Last without Fill-Ins?
As mentioned, natural nails grow out after 2 to 3 weeks. With fill-ins, however, you can make your acrylic nails last from 6 to 8 weeks, which may vary from one person to another.
You should visit your favorite salon after every 2 or 3 weeks to get your acrylic fill-in. According to Cosmopolitan, this is necessary to fill the gaps created by your natural nail growth.
What Happens If You Don’t Fill Your Acrylic Nails?
If you don’t get a fill-in after two weeks, and your nails have grown out, they will be prone to damage. Without getting regular fills, your nail tech may have to break your existing acrylic nails off, then apply a complete new set from scratch. Getting full acrylics frequently may be bad for your natural nails over the long term.
Do Acrylic Nails Come off on Their Own?
The simple answer is NO, as they will stay on your nails if you leave them alone. However, you may need to take them off because your natural nails will continuously grow, and will eventually be too long to affect the performance of your regular tasks. When this happens, you may need to clip the nails.
How to Make Acrylic Nails Last Longer at Home?
You may find visiting your salon every other week just to get acrylic nail fills tedious and expensive. Thus, you may be searching for ways on how to make them last longer, DIY-style.
The growth of your natural nails is a given, and you can’t control that. However, there are ways you can maintain the look of your nails longer.
Strengthen your natural nails.
By strengthening your natural nails, you provide a strong foundation for your acrylic nails to stick to, and avoid premature lifting and chipping. Strong natural nails are also easier to prepare for acrylic application. To help strengthen your natural nails, keep properly hydrated and eat a healthy diet.
Be careful when using hand sanitizers.
While hand sanitizers have become a personal hygiene essential today that everyone carries around everywhere, don’t forget that it is designed to destroy bacteria and germs on surfaces it gets in contact with - including your nails. Thus, you need to be careful when using hand sanitizers. Immediately wipe off anything that touches your nails.
Moisturize after washing your hands.
Another essential in today’s “new normal” is frequent hand washing. However, washing often, although necessary, can be bad for you nails. It can damage your acrylics, and make your natural nails brittle. To prevent damage, always hydrate your nails and protect your acrylics using moisturizers like hand lotions.
Keep pressure away from your nails.
If you have a regular office job, avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your nails. For example, when typing, or sifting through book pages or papers, use your fingers, instead of your nails. The unnecessary pressure will take its toll on your acrylics, and may cause premature chipping.
Wear gloves when doing household chores.
When doing day to day household chores like washing the dishes, doing the laundry, gardening, as well as tasks that involve handling hot water, always wear gloves to protect your acrylic nails from damage.
If you developed the habit of picking or biting your nails from childhood, now is the time to break it as this habit is detrimental to your manicure. Replace it instead with something healthier like massaging your fingers with your hands. You can use hand lotion or balm, if preferred.
Top up your acrylic manicure on your own.
If you can’t go to a salon for a fill-in or top up, you can do it DIY-style, as long as you have access to a UV lamp and have professional-grade top coat on hand. This will help prolong the life of your acrylic nails, and keep them looking their best until your next salon trip.
Final Verdict
While acrylic nails can last for as long as 6 to 8 weeks, you will need to get them filled every 2 or 3 weeks to maintain their perfect look. Otherwise, they may begin to deteriorate after 2 weeks, and may require complete removal to apply a new complete set.
Follow the tips provided in this post to prolong the life of your acrylic nails while maintaining their look long enough to last until your next salon visit.
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