Acrylic composition
Initially, the basis for strengthening natural nails with acrylic was methyl methacrylate. This material turned out to be insufficiently elastic. The nails became brittle and thick and did not hold their shape well. In addition, it is toxic. Methyl methacrylate negatively affected the condition of the nails and overall well-being. Therefore, now the substance is practically not used in the beauty industry.
It was replaced by ethyl methacrylate, an ethyl ester of methacrylic acid. It is practically odorless and does not have such a negative effect on the nervous system, kidneys and liver as its predecessor. Since the name of the substance is quite complex, it began to be called simply acrylic.
Benefits of strengthening nails with acrylic
Strengthening your nails with acrylic has many benefits:
- If acrylic is used not for extensions, but for strengthening, a very thin layer is required. Therefore, manicure time is reduced.
- Strengthening your nails with acrylic can be done yourself at home using gel polish.
- The manicure looks perfect within 3-4 weeks.
- The original shape of the nails will be preserved. This eliminates many problems during regrowth.
- The polymer is easily removed with solvents.
- The substance is applied in a thin layer, so the nails look natural.
- The coating prevents your own nails from breaking and protects them from external damage.
The difference between acrylic and other types of coatings
Acrylic is usually compared to gel, which is also used to strengthen and extend nails. The table shows the main differences between the two materials.
| Criterion | Acrylic | Gel |
| Strength | Very durable and does not require special care. | Brittle material, susceptible to cracking. |
| Shrinkage | Due to slow hardening, it practically does not shrink. | Gives significant shrinkage. |
| Removal | Easily removed with a solvent, your nails are practically not damaged. | You need to remove it mechanically, and your nails become even more brittle and weak. |
| Design Possibilities | The material is very plastic and can take any shape. Therefore, it is often used to create three-dimensional designs. | Has a glass effect. The gel is used to create large designs. |
| Smell | Liquid products may have an unpleasant odor due to the addition of monomer. This is usually dichloroethane. | Has no smell. |
| Time until complete hardening | The surface of the nail becomes hard within 5-7 minutes. But polymerization is completely completed only after 1-2 days. | 3-5 minutes. |
| Possibility of repair | To be repaired. | A damaged nail cannot be repaired, you can only remove the coating. |
Strengthening nails with acrylic is not a medical procedure. It does not affect the structure of the nail or the quality of its own plate. On the contrary, due to lack of air access, your nails may become worse. The coating only protects the manicure from external damage.
Acrylic is an excellent material for repairing both your own and extended nails. It fills all the cracks and irregularities.
Strengthening natural nails
Acrylic powder is used under gel polish, creates decorative patterns, and gives durability to natural nails. The process of strengthening your own nails is similar to using acrylic for gel polish, but the final moments are different. Strengthening nails with acrylic powder begins with preparing the nail plate; you should follow the first three steps from the above step-by-step instructions. Next, dip the brush into liquid liquid and sprinkle it with powder. Wait a little time for the two materials to react.
Stepping back one millimeter from the cuticle, apply the resulting mixture to the nail plate. Distribute the material in a thin layer over the entire surface and dry under ultraviolet light. After hardening, level the surface of the nail, smooth out any unevenness and secure with regular varnish or use shellac to add shine and longer wear. After applying shellac, dry your nails under a UV lamp. Nails will look natural when using colorless powder.
Types of acrylic powder
Strengthening nails with acrylic powder will only be beneficial if used correctly, following safety precautions and choosing the right material.
Flaws
The main drawback of the material is that it fades when it dries. Therefore, finished nails will have to be polished or coated with colored gel polish.
The second disadvantage is the strong smell during manicure. It smells like the solvent that is part of the liquid product. The unpleasant sensations will go away as soon as the substance hardens.
Other disadvantages of acrylic coating:
- Does not allow the nail to breathe.
- It is not very elastic, so with strong impacts the polymer may peel off from the plate or even crack.
Contraindications
Acrylic should not be used by those who are sick:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Herpetic infection in any form.
- Fungal diseases.
What is shellac?
Shellac is a patented nail product from CND (Creative Nail Design). This is a kind of hybrid of gel and regular nail polish. Since it is similar to polish, it cannot be used for nail extensions. However, it does a great job of adding strength and durability. Shellac also appears to be less harmful to nails than traditional gel or acrylic finishes.
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Advantages of the coating: lasts about two weeks, does not need to dry for a long time, does not peel off or lose color, does not contain harmful substances in the composition.
Cons: exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the coating is not intended for thin nails.
Types of acrylic
For building and strengthening, two forms are used: liquid acrylic and loose powder. The first option is suitable for those who want to adjust the shape of the nail or add length. But liquid material is more difficult to use, and it is not easy for a non-professional to handle it.
Polymer powder is easier to use. It is often bought to do manicures at home. It will not increase the length, but will only make your nails less brittle.
The polymer coating has a matte texture and may give a yellow tint when drying. Therefore, after strengthening, you must polish the nail and apply gel polish.
Strengthening before applying gel polish
After applying acrylic powder, the nails need to be dried with a UV lamp.
If the first option is very similar to extensions, then this one is simpler and does not require special skill. Preparation of nails for any method is the same, and you are already familiar with it. After this, apply a gel primer and a base coat . Without drying, sprinkle with acrylic powder so that there are no loose spots. It is better to do this over a container so that all excess is poured into it.
Now dry in a UV lamp (depending on the power from half a minute to 2 minutes), then go through with a brush, removing all excess . Apply another coat of base and dry again.
When finished, remove the sticky layer with degreaser and polish . Apply a layer of colored gel polish on top of the nail , and acrylic powder applied underneath will be a good way to strengthen it.
Now all you have to do is remember to take care of your nails, and to ensure your manicure always looks fresh, make corrections every few weeks.
Acrylic nail strengthening technology
Liquid acrylic is difficult to use. To strengthen your nails with its help, you will need special forms, and most importantly, you will need two free hands. Therefore, you won’t be able to use it yourself.
Powder is perfect for strengthening acrylic nails at home. Here are step-by-step instructions for using it.
- Treat your nails: remove cuticles, shape, polish the surface.
- Apply a special base - liquid - to the nail. It dissolves small particles and makes the coating uniform.
- Sprinkle generously with acrylic powder on top.
- Dry for 5 minutes under a lamp.
- Remove excess powder.
- Apply coating: base and selected shade of gel polish. They can also be dried under a lamp.
How to remove acrylic powder from nails
If you urgently need to remove the acrylic coating from your nails, but there is no time to visit the salon, the removal procedure can be done at home. To do this you will need to follow a number of simple tips:
- Carefully remove the top coating using a file;
- moisten a cotton pad or swab in a special product designed to remove shellac and gel polish;
- put cotton wool on the nail plate;
- wrap the nail tightly with foil;
- wait 10–15 minutes;
- remove the foil and remove the cotton pad;
- using a pusher, move the exfoliated layer to the edge of the nail plate;
- repeat the wrapping procedure;
- remove acrylic residues using a pusher;
- polish with a buff.
If you do everything correctly, your nails will not be damaged, they will remain strong, without scratches and will not peel off.
Acrylic in pedicure
Due to its strength, acrylic is also used in pedicures. There is a myth that strengthening nails with acrylic helps get rid of fungal infections. It is not true. The disease must be cured first. The polymer will only help fill in missing areas or hide unevenness.
Strengthening your nails with acrylic is a great opportunity to create a beautiful and long-lasting manicure yourself. This is especially true for girls whose nails are thin and break easily. The durable polymer coating will stay on your nails for up to a month.
Strengthening nails with acrylic, before and after photos
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How to strengthen your toenails
As for toenails, they often suffer from brittleness. However, not all women pay due attention to pedicures. Although strengthening your toenails is very important. This helps, for example, prevent ingrown hairs.
To make your toenails healthy and strong, they use all the same methods - from oils to gels. However, experts still advise doing correction with varnish or gels in the summer, because the fingers are open and breathe. And thanks to well-groomed legs, a woman feels more confident. But it is important to understand that when strengthened with gel, the length does not increase, only the desired shape is given.
And in order for your nails to grow healthy, you should take baths with oils and sea salt once a week. This is a good way to relieve fatigue and swelling from the feet. And massage improves blood circulation and the supply of nutrients.
We recommend reading about nail care. You will learn about the rules of nail care (manicure techniques, baths), a set of tools, cuticle care, and restoration of the nail plate after gel. And here is more information about the nourishing hand cream.
Thin and brittle nails can seriously ruin a girl's life. But don't despair. Modern technologies offer many solutions to the problem. Everyone can choose the most suitable option.
