If you want to flaunt a beautiful set of long nails, acrylic nails could be your perfect go-to idea. A perfect set of acrylics will give you a stylish, well put-together look. The biggest catch with acrylics is that you might be worried about how long do acrylic nails last – after all, maintaining your acrylics requires effort and time. So, let’s dive right into it!
So, how long do acrylic nails last?
The answer to your question is that you can maintain acrylic nails for as long as as you want! But you will have to visit the salon once every two to three weeks to get “acrylic fills” – which refreshes your manicure as your nails grow out with time. If you choose to ignore the “fills”, your acrylic nails will start chipping off eventually after about three weeks. The way you maintain your acrylics is the main factor behind how long they will stay on. So, the good news is – it’s entirely in your hands! No pun intended 🙂
Now that you are familiar with how long do acrylic nails last, you might be looking for ways to make them stay on for even longer. Here, we have compiled a list of tips to help you to maintain your acrylics for as long as possible. Stay tuned!
How to make your acrylic nails last longer:
#1: Choose a great nail technician
The first crucial step to make your acrylic nails last longer is to make sure you have picked the right technician. An inexperienced technician can cause a disaster to your nails. For example, improper removal of your acrylic nails, or cheap nail polish can bring you a lot of pain and seriously harm your nail health. Your nail beds might get damaged, you can get a “green nail” (a form of fungal infection) and in general – amateur nail artists can cause significant damage to the health of your nails, which will cause your acrylics to start chipping faster. It will be very helpful if you choose a well-informed, experienced, and trusted nail tech who does their work well.
If you go to nail salons, make a note of the kind of service they provide and see if it suits your needs. Searching for manicurists online is another great option, since you can check out their reviews and see the quality of their work beforehand. The only prerequisite is that you have to make sure that you are giving your nails to the hands of a professional.
#2: Maintain your acrylics regularly
Acrylic nails, same as gel extensions, demand a lot of care and maintenance, and there’s no doubt about it. For perfect nails, you need to be strict about getting them filled every two to three weeks. Usually, people go for acrylic nail fills every two weeks. You should plan your fill depending on how long your natural nails take to grow. Some people experience faster nail growth, for some people this process might take longer – it is highly individual!
There is a logic behind scheduling regular fills. Your original nails also keep growing simultaneously with your acrylic nails, creating a “grown out”, messy look. So, it is essential to schedule appointments to get your acrylics nails filled on a regular basis. You can try doing it yourself, but if you are a beginner, it’s always safer to turn to an experienced nail technician.
#3: Regularly clean your nails
Since acrylics or gel nails are nothing but fake nails, they will naturally have more chances of attracting germs. You need to address the problem by practicing just a little more hygiene. Use a soft brush to clean your nails regularly. The brush will help dig out any unclean particles that may cause harm to the nails. One thing to keep in mind is that your nails must be dry after you are done with the cleaning. In general, it is a good idea to keep your nails dry at all times to avoid the growth of harmful bacteria in the space between your actual nail bed and your acrylic nail.
The cuticles of your nails are parts that can suffer largely due to the harsh weather outside. Now and then, the cuticles are exposed to the outside air. Excessive cold weather and extremely sunny, hot weather are certainly going to harm your cuticles. Another thing to consider is that your hands frequently come in contact with chemical substances such as chlorine, which is found in water. It will contribute to the deterioration of the quality of your nails.
#4: Apply a top coat on your acrylic nails
A top coat is the best remedy to ensure that your manicure stays on for longer. Apply a protective top coat on your nails to prolong their life. The coat will protect the nails from chipping, as well as making your nails stronger. You can apply a protective top coat on your nails at home easily by checking out tutorials online. There is also a large variety of protective coats that you can buy online.
Choosing a top coat is also another thing that you need to do carefully. There are thousands of nail care brands out there looking for you to purchase their products. But when it comes to top coats, it is a good idea to be well-versed with the reviews that the brand has. Don’t get swayed by the fancy look of them! Moreover, you should also check out its chemical composition if you want to buy the right top coat gel polish that would effectively protect your nail extensions.
#5: Moisturize your hands and nails
Perfect-looking and long-lasting acrylic nails demand great care and maintenance of your natural nails too. After all, your natural nail is at the base of your acrylics, so it is important that your natural nails stay clean, strong and healthy. So, you need to follow a strict moisturizing routine regularly.
Be sure to keep your hands, fingers, and nails moisturized at all times. Wash your hands clean frequently to avoid the growth of harmful bacteria or a nail infection. An important thing to keep in mind is drying your hands and nails after washing them.
Cuticle oil or cuticle cream is also highly beneficial for stronger nails. The oil is the best known natural remedy for dry cuticles and healthy nail growth. It is made out of healthy vegetable and mineral oils, which contain various vitamins and nutrients that strengthen your nails from the inside.
#6: Wear gloves while doing housework
Rigorous housework can increase the chances of chipping and damaging your acrylic nails. Fake nails are delicate and might become reactive when they come in touch with certain chemicals. While doing house chores, you touch things that comprise harmful chemicals, which can dissolve the acrylic material or significantly weaken it.
It is best to avoid doing any housework if you want to have your nails last longer. You can wear gloves when you are working, doing dishes or cleaning the house and therefore reduce the amount of chemicals that your nails come in contact with.
It is preferable not to hand-wash your laundry while you have just got your artificial nails done from the salon. Washing clothes demands very close contact with washing detergents and water, and the products again have many harmful chemicals in them. Moreover, washing clothes with soapy water also affects the quality of the artificial nails.
#7: Let your fingers do all the work!
If you have longer acrylic nails, it is best to use your fingers to do all the routine work for you. Be sure not to put a lot of pressure on your nails while doing your work, and avoid exerting a lot of force on your nails as well.
If your work requires you to do a lot of typing on your computer or your laptop, the tactic is for you. Use the pads of your fingers to type and avoid ruining your nails in the process. It will ultimately help your nails last longer by putting less pressure on them. With a little practice, you can learn to your the tips of your fingers instead of your nails when you perform almost any kind of work.
#8: Don’t exert any extra pressure on your nails
Consciously try not to exert any pressure on your acrylic nails. They are fragile, and it is better not to put any extra pressure on them. Be conscious about touching, opening, or picking up anything using your nails directly. It would be best if you were alert at all times whenever you are doing pretty much anything.
For example, it is not strictly not recommended to open any aluminum cans when you are wearing acrylic nails, since the pressure can cause your fake nail to pop off entirely.
#9: Give your nails a break from time to time
The best way of ensuring that your nails stay healthy is to sometimes let them grow on their own. It is a good idea to give your nails a break from time to time. If you have been wearing acrylics for longer than a year – take a little break and remove your acrylics for at least a month or two in order to let them heal and grow.
The constant wearing of acrylic nails requires your natural nail bed to be “shaved down”, so it is important to let your nails relax and breathe from time to time. False nails nails damage your natural nails and slow down their natural healing and growing process, so take care of them and give them a little “vacation” sometimes 🙂
Even your natural nails need “air” to keep going and keep growing in a healthy way. Let them stay “au naturel” for a while so that they get space and fresh air to grow out naturally. Of course, you want to have pretty nail art and long, dreamy nails every week! But don’t stress your real nails so much that the nail growth suffers – keep your nails healthy! Let them take time to grow at their own pace, give them one-two months of a break, and you can book another appointment to get your acrylics done!
#10: Take utmost care of your acrylic nails!
The simplest and easiest strategy for long-lasting acrylic nails consist in following a solid care and maintenance routine. The more you consciously care for the nails, the longer they will stay on. Check your nails daily and avoid exerting any excessive force on them. Make sure that you do regular cleanings of your artificial nails at home. Regular care is THE answer to making your nails last longer!
Wrapping up
Getting acrylic nails done is a great idea for accentuating your hands. Although artificial nails are temporary, and it is hard to say for sure how long do acrylic nails last for you – they will definitely make you feel like a princess every day! But with beautiful nails comes a lot of responsibility: mainly of maintenance and aftercare. So, get your nails done at the nail salon, establish a solid nail care routine and enjoy your new, sophisticated look!
