I hear it over and over, clients and others blaming acrylic or gel polish or some other service for damage to their nails. I'm sorry, ladies, but it's not the product doing the damage. It's people who do damage to the nails, not the product. Yes, you're putting a product that sticks to your natural nail and sometimes when that product pops off or rips off, that does do damage. Of course it does. But if it is properly put on and properly removed, and cared for in between appointments, then your natural nail should be in good shape.
So, who does the damage? One of two people or both who are caring for your nails; the client, and/or the nail tech. If you have a nail tech that goes at your nails roughly, improperly uses the e-file (electronic file, not "drill") then you will definitely, guaranteed to have damage done to your natural nail. Which, if you are having acrylic nails put on, you won't see till your nails are removed. Then you're blaming the acrylic when all the while it was your nail tech doing damage every time you came in for a fill.
Do your nails ever hurt when you get your acrylics done? Nail services should NEVER, EVER, hurt. Ever. Sure, sometimes you get nicked by a file and that's painful. But I've had clients tell me about seeing a nail tech and their fingers hurt for days afterwards. Seriously?! Then don't ever go back!
How does a client do damage to their nails? If you get a service done and then treat your nails like they're tools in between appointments then you're doing damage to your own nails. Lifting is caused by so many reasons that it's impossible to name them all. Don't use your nails as a tool, like to remove stickers from products, to pry things open, etc.
By the way, your nails do not breathe. You don't need to have your acrylics removed every month. That in and of itself causes most of the damage that is getting done to your nails. Discount salons like to always charge for full sets rather than just have you come in for fills. So, they tell you your nails need to be replaced because your nails need to breathe or whatever. Actually, it's less damaging to just leave your set on. Think about it, you get fills every 2 weeks so you're always growing your nails and always getting new product put on so in about a month or two you have fresh acrylic on your nails! Why get another full set? It's totally not necessary and not even recommended by reputable nail tech's.
You get what you pay for in this industry. If you want a reputable nail tech that is well trained and wants to do a good job and keep your natural nails healthy, then don't go to a discount salon that only cares about making money and cranking people out on a regular basis.
I am a Board Certified Nail Technician and I care about giving my best to all my clients. There's too much misinformation out there. Educate yourself which not only helps you know what to expect from your nail tech but it keeps your nails safe and healthy.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have just trained as a nail technician and I am finding things very hard. When I have applied the acrylic it looks great but after buffing I am getting lines in the acrylic and the tip seems a bit lumpy and bumpy.
Please help, I am losing heart.Hey Dawn, the first thing I would do it get a wider brush than the one you were taught with that seems to make it easier. Then take your time and make sure you've got your acrylic nice and smooth on each nail before moving on to the next. Take a little extra dip back into your liquid with your brush, wipe off the excess and go over the nail one more time to get that extra smoothness.
Hello Dawn, I am a nail tech of 8yrs now and your right it is hard. Over the years I have given up and started again numerous times, but after practising on my self over and over to work out the lifting problem I finally got it. Make sure you prep the nail bed as best as you can, etch out any shine on the natural nail. you then apply your tips and blend in. Then apply your primer sparingly. When you are ready to apply your acrylic make sure the ball is not too dry as this will cause lifting, however so will a very wet ball. So the secret is to dip your brush into your powder and count to 3 until all dryness disappears, if it takes too long then your ball is to dry. Apply your last ball at the cuticle in a small size so you can pat it down, then using the point of your brush, go around the cuticle edge to make sure no acrylic is touching the skin. Don't make your acrylic balls too big to start off with so really you should have the perfect nail before you even buff, otherwise you will be filing for ever. GOOD LUCK I hope this helps! Katherine
The lines you are getting is most likely due to not using the proper grit files. When using tips (I hate using them, I sculpt for the most part), use a 180 grit to reduce the sidewall, and a 240 grit to reduce the length and to blend-in the tip.When applying the acrylic, avoid "patting" the product. Instead, "press" the product with your brush, and move from side to side. Always leave a tiny free margin along the sidewalls and cuticle area of the nail, as touching product to the skin could result in lifting and possible overexposure. Never use the brush to clean up excess product from the sidewall, cuticle area or under the free edge. When applied correctly, there should be no need for any 'clean up' in the first place.
I tried the quick dip acrylic and found I can see some of the powder still in the nail after I'm completely finished. I've also had this trouble on regular acrylics, occasionally, just not as bad. I'm not sure what to do. I own a salon and am trying to get better at the acrylic. I've done gel for a while, but for some reason I'm having trouble with this. Help?
By Amanda
I think you should go to school and get certified for this. If you already have then you should go back to the school for more instruction.
Acrylic nails are often done in a salon. However, there are kits you can get to do your own acrylic nails at home.
