Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (2024)

Donate For AAD Members Sign In Search
Sign-in
  • Everyday care
  • Darker Skin Tones
  • Cosmetic treatments
  • Public health programs
  • Find a dermatologist
  • For AAD Members
  • Donate
Main menu
Diseases & conditions
Everyday care
  • Skin care basics
  • Skin care secrets
  • Injured skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Sun protection
  • Nail care secrets
Darker Skin Tones
  • Skin care secrets
  • Hair care
  • Hair loss
Cosmetic treatments
Public health programs
Find a dermatologist
Back
Coronavirus Resource Center
Acne
Eczema
Hair loss
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Skin cancer
A to Z diseases
A to Z videos
Skin care basics
Skin care secrets
Injured skin
Itchy skin
Sun protection
Hair & scalp care
Nail care secrets
Skin care secrets
Hair care
Hair loss
Diseases & Conditions
Your safety
Age spots & dark marks
Cellulite & fat removal
Hair removal
Scars & stretch marks
Wrinkles
Younger-looking skin
Skin cancer awareness
Free skin cancer screenings
Kids' camp
Good Skin Knowledge
Shade Structure grants
Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™
Awareness campaigns
Flyers & posters
Get involved
What is a dermatologist?
FAAD: What it means
How to select a dermatologist
Your digital health
Prior authorization
Dermatologists team up to improve patient care
AAD
Welcome!
    Log out
    AAD

    Welcome!

      Diseases & conditions
      Featured
      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (1) Molluscum contagiosum: How to safely treat it

      Both the CDC and the FDA warn against treating this common childhood condition on your own with non-prescription treatments. See what they recommend.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (2) Biosimilars: 14 FAQs

      Find answers to questions patients ask about this newer treatment option, including, “What’s involved in switching from a biologic to a biosimilar?”

      Everyday care
      Featured
      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (3) Practice Safe Sun

      Everyone's at risk for skin cancer. These dermatologists' tips tell you how to protect your skin.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (4) Relieve uncontrollably itchy skin

      Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief.

      Darker Skin Tones
      Featured
      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (5) Fade dark spots

      Find out why dark spots appear and what can fade them.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (6) Untreatable razor bumps or acne?

      If you have what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of your neck or scalp, you may have acne keloidalis nuchae. Find out what can help.

      Cosmetic treatments
      Featured
      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (7) Laser hair removal

      You can expect permanent results in all but one area. Do you know which one?

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (8) Scar treatment

      If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (9) Botox

      It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results aren’t permanent. Here’s how long botox tends to last.

      Public health programs
      Featured
      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (10) Free materials to help raise skin cancer awareness

      Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (11) Dermatologist-approved lesson plans, activities you can use

      Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying.

      Find a dermatologist
      Featured
      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (12) Find a Dermatologist

      You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist that’s right for you.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (13) What is a dermatologist?

      A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists care for people of all ages.

      Advertisem*nt
      Advertisem*nt

      Hiding damaged nails might worsen problems

      Covering up brittle, soft, or damaged nails can worsen existing nail problems.

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (14)

      Artificial nails can lengthen short nails, making your fingers look long and slender. They can also be hard on your nails.

      To get acrylic nails (a type of artificial nail) to stick, the surface of your natural nails must be filed until they feel rough. This thins your natural nails, making them weaker. Chemicals in the products used to apply artificial nails can irritate the skin around your nails and elsewhere.

      The list of health risks doesn’t end here. To remove artificial nails, you often need to soak in acetone or file them off. If you want to wear artificial nails for more than a few weeks, you’ll need touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks to fill in the gaps that appear as your nails grow. Frequent touch-ups can seriously damage your natural nails.

      In short, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and parched.

      Still, some people love the look of artificial nails. If you’re one of them, these tips from dermatologists can help you reduce the damage:

      • Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack.

        You’ll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.

      • Go to a salon that uses an LED curing light rather than a UV curing light. Gel nails require ultraviolet (UV) light to harden. LED emits lower levels of UV radiation than a UV curing light. An LED light also cures more quickly, which reduces your UV exposure.

      • Ask your nail technician to skip the cuticle trimming. Cuticles are often trimmed when you get any type of manicure. That’s a problem. Cuticles protect your nails and the surrounding skin from infection. When you trim or cut your cuticles, it’s easier for bacteria and other germs to get inside your body and cause an infection. Nail infections can take a long time to clear.

        Cut cuticles also tend to feel rough when they grow back, so a nail technician may continue to trim your cuticles to keep them smooth.

      • 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.

      When you’re not wearing artificial nails, a regular or French manicure can leave your nails looking fabulous.

      Related AAD resources

      Image
      Getty Images

      Advertisem*nt
      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (2024)

      FAQs

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage? ›

      Dr. Dana recommends applying a protective coat to the nail prior to applying the nail glue. This can be a base coat or another polish. Polish can absolutely be protective and it is generally the removal process that leads to the dehydration and potential damage.

      How do you fix damaged nails after fake nails? ›

      How to repair damaged nails for good
      1. Damage caused by gel polish and acrylic nails, explained. ...
      2. Ways to strengthen and repair damaged nails. ...
      3. 1) Keep your nails short. ...
      4. 2) Apply a daily nail strengthening treatment. ...
      5. 3) Try a professional treatment. ...
      6. 4) Use a strengthening base coat. ...
      7. 5) Keep nails hydrated.
      Jun 7, 2023

      How do you keep your nails healthy under fake nails? ›

      Dr. Dana recommends applying a protective coat to the nail prior to applying the nail glue. This can be a base coat or another polish. Polish can absolutely be protective and it is generally the removal process that leads to the dehydration and potential damage.

      How can I make my fake nails more durable? ›

      Press-on nails are prone to bending. To prevent this, apply one coat of a press-on nail hardener product over the fake nails. Its clear, glossy surface will give your nails a nice glossy finish. You can use an acrylic hardener or a gel hardener topcoat with a drying lamp to make your fake nails even more durable.

      Are there any fake nails that don't ruin your nails? ›

      Press-On Fake Nails

      Another option is press-on nails which come in various shapes and sizes. These types of fake nails are great for those who need a fast manicure that won't damage their natural nails. Press them on, paint them to match your nail shape and colour, and you're good to go.

      How to strengthen nails after extensions? ›

      Keep your nails clean and dry: Make sure to wash your hands regularly and dry them thoroughly. Moisture can weaken the nail and make it more prone to breakage. Apply a nail strengthener: A nail strengthener can help to repair and strengthen your nails.

      How do you wear fake nails without damaging real nails? ›

      Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage
      1. Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. ...
      2. Go to a salon that uses an LED curing light rather than a UV curing light. ...
      3. Ask your nail technician to skip the cuticle trimming. ...
      4. Reserve artificial nails for special occasions.

      What is the healthiest way to have fake nails? ›

      Unlike traditional techniques like acrylic or gel, dip powder nails do not require any UV light exposure. This eliminates the potential harm caused by UV lights, making dip powder a healthier choice. Moreover, dip powder nails are known to be highly resistant to chipping and peeling, ensuring longer-lasting manicures.

      Is there any nail glue that doesn't damage nails? ›

      Olive and June Press-On Brush On Glue

      Olive and June's non-toxic and non-damaging nail glue has a precise brush-on applicator that allows you to have control over the amount of adhesive on the press-on nails and prevents the glue from spilling out the sides.

      What can I put on fake nails to make them stronger? ›

      Fake Nails with Builder Gel

      Builder gel is a thicker substance than traditional nail glue and will not only add length to your fake nails but also make them stronger. This makes builder gel the perfect choice for getting a salon-quality look when you're wearing fake nails.

      What fake nails are best for weak nails? ›

      Gel nails are less likely to cause damage to natural nails than acrylic nails. They are less harsh on the natural nails during the application and removal process, which can be beneficial for people with weaker nails.

      Is it OK to wear fake nails all the time? ›

      However, acrylic nails may cause nail damage or skin irritation. Individuals who get acrylic nails may experience allergic reactions, eczema, or nail thinning. By using artificial nails less and following proper nail care, a person may reduce their risk of adverse effects.

      What nail technique is the least damaging? ›

      Overall, Dip Powder Manicures are a great way to get a healthy manicure that will protect and strengthen your nails without causing any damage. Just like any nail treatment, you do have to make sure you properly remove it to keep your nails safe and healthy – Don't pick at your manicure!

      How do you keep fake nails from ruining your nails? ›

      One of the best ways to protect your natural nails is to keep them clean and moisturized. I like to use a cuticle oil every day to keep my nails and cuticles healthy. I also make sure to use a base coat and top coat when I apply any type of nail color, including fake nails.

      Which is worse for your nails gel or dip? ›

      Though dip powders are generally considered the gentlest option, both gels and dips can be used long-term without damaging your nails. Once again, choosing a high-quality product – and taking care of your nails properly – are the most important factors when it comes to nail health.

      How long does it take for nails to repair after acrylics? ›

      Your nails get used to the gel and its protective coating, so they start breaking and snapping after the gel is removed. As nails take up to 6 months to fully grow out, it's a lot of inconvenience and discomfort! Paper-thin nails after acrylics are another common issue.

      Can you restore damaged nails? ›

      The good news is: Damage is often reversible. Incorporating a combination of the right treatments, gentle ingredients, and a little TLC can go a long way in gradually nursing brittle nails back to life.

      What is the best treatment for damaged nails? ›

      Orly Nailtrition

      It may look like a polish, but Orly's treatment claims to strengthen nails with "collagen, wheat protein, keratin and bamboo extract" while imparting a sheer pink tint to nails. "Orly makes my nails stronger without making them brittle and too hard," one panelist commented.

      How long does it take for damaged nails to heal? ›

      If you lose your nail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow to replace the lost nail. Toenails take about 12 months to grow back. The new nail will probably have grooves or ridges and be somewhat misshapen.

      References

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Roderick King

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5915

      Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

      Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Roderick King

      Birthday: 1997-10-09

      Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

      Phone: +2521695290067

      Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

      Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

      Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.