Do extensions damage your nails?
Do nail extensions damage your nails?
A question that often comes up is whether your nails are damaged by these treatments. The answer is that nail extensions CAN damage your natural nails, but it depends on several factors such as technique, products and how you care for your nails both during and after the treatment.
Let's take a closer look at what can cause injuries and how you can avoid them.
Possible causes of damage
Improper application or removal
- If the nail extension is not applied or removed correctly, your natural nails can be damaged. When applying it, it is important that the nail technician does not file the natural nail too much, as this can make the nails thinner and weaker. That said, you do need to keep in mind that you do need to file the natural nail a little bit so that the extension has something to attach to, but you need to know how to do it as gently as possible and what grit to use on the nail file.
- Similarly, improper removal, such as tearing off the extension yourself, can cause serious damage to the nail plate and make the nails brittle.
Overfilling
- When preparing your nails for nail extensions, they are filed to create a surface for the material to adhere to. If this is done too aggressively, it can thin out your nails, making them brittle and more likely to crack or break when the extension is removed. As mentioned earlier, it is important to know what equipment and techniques to use to do this as gently and safely as possible.
Chemical exposure
- The products used in nail extensions, such as acrylic and gel, contain chemicals that can affect the health of the nail. Some individuals may experience a reaction to these products, which can lead to irritation, weakened nails or cuticle problems. Therefore, it is super important to use quality products and it is also important to know what substances to watch out for when it comes to the content of these products. Unfortunately, there are a lot of products on the market that claim to be gentle on nails but are not. You can read more about these substances HERE
How do you avoid damage to your nails?
Choose an experienced nail technician
- A professional and certified nail technician is essential to ensure that your nail extensions are applied and removed correctly. They have the right technique and use high-quality products that are gentler on your nails.
Use cuticle oil and hand cream
- Regularly moisturizing your cuticles and nails can help keep them strong and flexible. Cuticle oil is a great way to prevent cracking and drying out, especially if you have gel or acrylic extensions covering your nail.
Be careful with removal
- When it's time to remove your nail extensions, make sure it's done professionally. Avoid pulling or tearing off your nails yourself, as this can cause long-term damage to your natural nail.
Avoid using your nails as tools
- If you have nail extensions, avoid using them to open cans or other activities that may put stress on them. This reduces the risk of nails breaking and protects both your natural nail and the extension.
What should you do if your nails are damaged?
If your nails have been damaged after nail extensions, it's important to give them time to recover. Here are some steps you can take:
Use nail strengthener
-There are products on the market that can strengthen and repair weak nails. Regular use of these products can help nails regain their strength.
Diet and vitamins
Eating a nutritious diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, can help nails grow stronger and faster.
Give your nails a rest from materials
If your nails are damaged, you should not apply any material until the nails have grown out and regained their healthy and strong surface. Applying material to already damaged nails can cause irritation, allergies or aggravation of the damage, among other things.
A question that often comes up is whether your nails are damaged by these treatments. The answer is that nail extensions CAN damage your natural nails, but it depends on several factors such as technique, products and how you care for your nails both during and after the treatment.
Let's take a closer look at what can cause injuries and how you can avoid them.
Possible causes of damage
Improper application or removal
- If the nail extension is not applied or removed correctly, your natural nails can be damaged. When applying it, it is important that the nail technician does not file the natural nail too much, as this can make the nails thinner and weaker. That said, you do need to keep in mind that you do need to file the natural nail a little bit so that the extension has something to attach to, but you need to know how to do it as gently as possible and what grit to use on the nail file.
- Similarly, improper removal, such as tearing off the extension yourself, can cause serious damage to the nail plate and make the nails brittle.
Overfilling
- When preparing your nails for nail extensions, they are filed to create a surface for the material to adhere to. If this is done too aggressively, it can thin out your nails, making them brittle and more likely to crack or break when the extension is removed. As mentioned earlier, it is important to know what equipment and techniques to use to do this as gently and safely as possible.
Chemical exposure
- The products used in nail extensions, such as acrylic and gel, contain chemicals that can affect the health of the nail. Some individuals may experience a reaction to these products, which can lead to irritation, weakened nails or cuticle problems. Therefore, it is super important to use quality products and it is also important to know what substances to watch out for when it comes to the content of these products. Unfortunately, there are a lot of products on the market that claim to be gentle on nails but are not. You can read more about these substances HERE
How do you avoid damage to your nails?
Choose an experienced nail technician
- A professional and certified nail technician is essential to ensure that your nail extensions are applied and removed correctly. They have the right technique and use high-quality products that are gentler on your nails.
Use cuticle oil and hand cream
- Regularly moisturizing your cuticles and nails can help keep them strong and flexible. Cuticle oil is a great way to prevent cracking and drying out, especially if you have gel or acrylic extensions covering your nail.
Be careful with removal
- When it's time to remove your nail extensions, make sure it's done professionally. Avoid pulling or tearing off your nails yourself, as this can cause long-term damage to your natural nail.
Avoid using your nails as tools
- If you have nail extensions, avoid using them to open cans or other activities that may put stress on them. This reduces the risk of nails breaking and protects both your natural nail and the extension.
What should you do if your nails are damaged?
If your nails have been damaged after nail extensions, it's important to give them time to recover. Here are some steps you can take:
Use nail strengthener
-There are products on the market that can strengthen and repair weak nails. Regular use of these products can help nails regain their strength.
Diet and vitamins
Eating a nutritious diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, can help nails grow stronger and faster.
Give your nails a rest from materials
If your nails are damaged, you should not apply any material until the nails have grown out and regained their healthy and strong surface. Applying material to already damaged nails can cause irritation, allergies or aggravation of the damage, among other things.