False nails are lovely pieces of art on your fingernails. Anything can be designed on them. You can make them look natural or go all out with a range of colors. They are a life saver especially for those who find it difficult to grow their own nails.
False nails are extensions placed over your fingernails. They tend to make your fingers look slimmer and attractive. Some people consider them as fashion accessories. Faux ongles come in different shapes and sizes; you just have to pick what works for you. They can last for a couple of days to weeks, depending on the type of nail and how you maintain them.
In this article, we will be reviewing the different types of false nails and how to maintain them.
Types of false nails and their maintenance
There are different types of false nails. Each time of nail has a different mode of maintenance or removal.
Acrylic nails
They are the most common type of false nails and are less expensive than the others. Acrylic nails are made from acrylic glass (a polymer). A liquid monomer is mixed with it and applied to the surface of the natural nail after it has been roughened. After the chemicals have been applied and dried, they form a long nail that can be shaped to any length or style.
Maintenance
Acrylic nails grow with your natural nails thus they need to be filled every two weeks. They usually last for 2 – 3 weeks before needing filling. They are easily removed with a nail polish remover after soaking for a few minutes.
Gel nails
The gels used for nails are nail polish. They are applied on the nail and nail tips and allowed to dry for a few minutes with a UV/LED light. Gel nails are not as hard as acrylic nails. They don’t have any form of odor in the application process, unlike acrylic nails. Gel nails retain their colors for a longer period. They are more expensive than any form of false nails.
Maintenance
Gel nails have similar maintenance to acrylic nails. They need to be filled after two weeks and can also be removed with a nail polish remover.
Wrap nails
Wrap nails are usually made from silk, fiber, linen, etc. The nails are fixed on the surface of the natural nail and held in place with glue or resin. It is the oldest type of false nails. It strengthens the natural nail but does not make it longer. This type of false wears off easily especially if you do the dishes or the laundry without wearing gloves. Wrap nails can be used to fix a broken nail.
Maintenance
They last for about 5 – 14 days. They do not require filling. To remove them, they are usually soaked in acetone long enough to make glue wear off.
General nail tips
- Always visit a nail technician to get your nails done. Nails that are not properly fixed or removed could cause infections.
- Do not try to fix a broken nail yourself. You might cause more harm than good.
- Make sure the tools used on your nails are clean and disinfected.
It is not enough to have lovely pieces of art on our fingernails, they should always shine and glimmer.
