Who does not want nice manicured nails without the hassle of applying nail paint every five to six days? When the nails do not grow very strong, some women find it difficult to maintain long nails and opt for nail extensions instead. While this is a styling and fashion statement many today wonder about the safety factor of nail extensions.
Well, getting a nail extension done when you have brittle nails is not a good idea as the extension will make the nail weaker and brittle. Also, during the pandemic, the polymer gel extension was a potential hindrance in terms of checking body oxygen levels using an oximeter (because the infrared of the oximeter could not penetrate the polymer). Getting an extension done can be an ordeal. Required to be done only at a nail parlour the refilling requirement happens every 3 to 4 weeks. One wonders then if it is worth so much of time and money? However, irrespective of these odds, the ones who love to flaunt beautiful nails undergo the procedure. Therefore let us delve into the pros and cons of the procedure.
Few facts about nail extensions:
Types of nail extensions:
Gel extensions involve hard gel built on a natural nail and cured with UV light.
Acrylic on the other hand, involves pasting a plastic nail to the nail tip and then adding a monomer powder and polymer glue. This is done when your nails are small and you want a longer nail.
Both the gels and acrylics require regular maintenance; one should go back to the salon every two to three weeks to get a fill. Essentially the technician covers up the gaps between the real and fake nails that occur from natural nail growth.
Now, we have more options. For instance there are quick fixes (like press nails) and newer innovations like SNS dip powder) and also gel extensions.
Removing it involves soaking your nails in acetone. Most technicians might use a nail drill although a hand file can also be used.
Why are nail extensions considered unsafe?
1. Infection
Due to the use of harsh chemicals in the process, nails are highly likely to get infection. Bacteria, yeast, or fungi may crop up. The most prominent sign of nail infection is nails turning green or blue along with spots. This can happen when you have worn your artificial nails for too long or if any gap develops between the nail plate and false nail. The only solution to this issue is maintaining proper hygiene while doing the extensions.
2. Allergic Reactions
One could also be allergic to the substances and chemicals used in the process. And this could lead to skin condition like Contact Dermatitis.
3. Weaknails
To remove the extensions, one needs to soak the nails in acetone for ten minutes or longer. This chemical translates in thin and weak real nails. Also, in the process, buffering or drilling of the nail bed is done, which can damage the natural nail bed and weaken it further.
4. Traumatic onycholysis can occur when your nail plate separates from your nailbed. This could happen if your hand hits something very hard. You could be especially vulnerable if your acrylic nails are very long.
How do you minimise the damage?
If you absolutely love the beautiful nail extensions,here are some tips to secure nail health and avoid its pitfalls.
• If you already have a fungal infection,stay away from artificial nails.
• Ask the therapist not to cut the cuticles too much as they help prevent infection.
• Choose a nail parlour that hardens gel polish with LED lights, with small amounts of UV light. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen on your hands before going under the light.
• Use cream moisturizer on your nails, especially when you soak them in acetone.
• Take a break from artificial nails every three months. This will be helpful in getting your real nails right and avoiding chemical exposure.
• Use cuticle protection polishes
• Intake multivitamins including biotin, keratin, zinc, etc to help in making the nail stronger after an extension removal.
• Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, they are more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack. One may want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.
• Reserve artificial nails for special occasions. If you love the look of artificial nails, getting them only for a special occasion can reduce nail problems. Time without artificial nails gives your nails a chance to repair themselves.
• Finally do find a seasoned professional for the application as well as the removal.
At the end I would say that stay beautiful and stylish but remember that health matters the most.
Also Read: About Teeth Discolouration
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