Weigh in please: Acrylic Nails

[christinew]

Ladies and (Men too),

What is you opinion of acrylic nails for health and for overall appearance? I've been wearing them for about a year and am ready to have them removed. I don't think they look that great on me anymore but I am afraid for what my hands will look like once removed.

Also do you know of any health risks? Afterall I am wearing chunks of plastic across my nails-can that be good?

Thanks.

C

[DeeK]

I think the shorter, French-manicured nails look very nice.

But, I don't have mine done because of health concerns. I worry about fungal infection since I have my hands in water a lot.

[RecipeGirl]

Our friend works for Creative Nail Design, which has the better product items for acrylics... apparently safer than most product that is out there. He is always griping at me when I go to the cheaper salons. He told me that many of the salons use VERY cheap product that is not good for you. I now inquire as to what type of product is used and will only go to places where they purchase the creative nail design products. I love the way my nails look with acrylic, but I also want to be sure that it's not affecting my health!

[Robyn1007]

Personally, my nails were so destroyed when I removed the last set of acrylic nails I had about 10 years ago that I will never get them again and unfortunately only time will allow the part that has been filed down to grow out. I do get an occasional manicure to help my cuticles. And, yes, I would worry about the risk of infection since you are thinning a protective layer.

[christinew]

Interesting. Thinning a protective layer. That is exactly what a nail is..not an ornament. I think I'll have them taken off and then just keep them short.

[wallycat]

My humble opinion...less is more.
I don't like how they look and I personally would not spend extra money to apply something that might hurt my real nail/nailbed.

I don't even use polish anymore because it can be so drying for my nails.
(plus I'm lazy for the upkeep :o :o )

[blazedog]

I had a set once and then went through a longer period of silk wraps.

Both essentially destroy your nails until it all grows out.

I think long nails are passe now as well -- shorter well groomed nails look more chic and modern.

[christinew]

I agree with you on the longer nail image. I think I am ready to join the 21rst century.

[pointerhaven]

While I love the way it looks, I do not think they are healthy and I no longer do that.

[LakeMartinGal]

I have used tips and gel nails for about 3 years, and 7 years before that, I used the acrylics... I used to get the occasional fungal infection, but I have had NO problems since starting using the gel. Now, my hands are not in water so much as they used to be, and I don't do any really hard labor, either.

I'm a nail biter, so if I go without any kind of artificial nail, my hands are ugly. I keep them pretty short -- I'm not the flamboyant type -- and I've used the same subdued color for the whole time I've worn the nails -- my hands just don't look right without it!

I do understand the risks of getting them done every two weeks, but for me, the risks are way outweighed by the rewards... I just feel better about myself when I have my nails done, and my natural nails have always been horribly thin and peely, even before I started using the artificial nails!

[BaileyJune]

I was at the salon yesterday having a pedicure, manicure and clear polish put on my nails. The woman next to me was having her acrylic nails removed. What was left underneath was not very good looking. I don't think I'd EVER do something to any part of my body that looks that awful upon removal. Hopefully that was an isolated case!

As a side note, the person who did my pedicure used something called Be Natural Callus Eliminator. (I found it for sale online.) I don't have much in the way of calluses, but that stuff worked a miracle! I have previously used my Microplane foot file, but it has gotten dull and needs to be replaced so I haven't used it in a few months. This Callus Eliminator really did the trick! Unfortunately, it's probably full of awful chemicals. :(

[TKay]

I'm a natural, no-frills nail kinda gal. Mine are short, unpolished and plain. I have seen some acrylics that look nice, but I don't care enough about my nails to keep up with them. Plus, they do wreck the nails underneath. A girlfriend has had them on and off over the years. Personally, I think she looks better without them (they look so FAKE on her), but I can see the appeal in having your nails always looking well-groomed. I only like them if they are on the short side. Those long claw-looking things are horrid. IMHO, of course. ;)
Me? I'd skip it.

[tippy7]

I had acrylics for about a year before I took them off. I never had any problems, I just didn't want to pay for it anymore! My nails were very weak and thin after the acrylics were off. They didn't look horrible, but a few fingers were particularly sensitive and it hurt a little bit to touch those nails for a few days! (I think I had to put a bandaid over one of them.) I kept all my nails filed very short and applied OPI Nail Envy (a strengthener) every other day. It was really a miracle product! I continued to use it regularly until my nails grew out, and I still use it as a basecoat when my nails are done. I also used nail oil to keep my cuticles and nails healthy, and I think that helped a lot as well.

[erinlovesmarc]

I think if they are done right they are very nice...I wish I could still have them done but it's not in the budget and...well...I'm worried about the chemicals in them now that I'm more conscience of what I put on/in my body...

I can tell you that after I took off the fake nails it did take a good 6 months (my nails grow like weeds) for the ruined nails to grow out...now they are completely back to the original hardness I had before I started with the fake nails and this is 7 years later...everyone is different though so maybe your nails will go back to their original hardness once your nails grow out...

ETA: BTW, I strongly recommend you pay the money (I think it's like $5) to melt them off instead of ripping them off because ripping/chewing them off will damage your real nails more...

[erinlovesmarc]

I have used tips and gel nails for about 3 years, and 7 years before that, I used the acrylics... I used to get the occasional fungal infection, but I have had NO problems since starting using the gel. Now, my hands are not in water so much as they used to be, and I don't do any really hard labor, either.

I'm a nail biter, so if I go without any kind of artificial nail, my hands are ugly. I keep them pretty short -- I'm not the flamboyant type -- and I've used the same subdued color for the whole time I've worn the nails -- my hands just don't look right without it!

I do understand the risks of getting them done every two weeks, but for me, the risks are way outweighed by the rewards... I just feel better about myself when I have my nails done, and my natural nails have always been horribly thin and peely, even before I started using the artificial nails!

I agree with the gel...my aunt, who did my nails, switched from acrylic to gel when I was getting my nails done and gel is sooo much better...they are stronger.....sigh....**** chemicals...I shouldn't complain too much though since I've been using the nail polishes from Maybelline...Iron something...and they are as long as when I had fake nails...not the same though...

[Jalapeno]

I will never have acrylic nails again. The last time I had them (about 16 years ago) I smashed my nail in a door and my real nail popped through the top of my skin while the acrylic stayed in tact. I had to go to the Dr. that night and they had to remove my entire finger nail.

For what it's worth I learned your finger nails grow up then out.