Having beautiful, long-lasting acrylic nails is every woman’s dream. But when you spend good money at the salon only to have your new nails pop off a couple days later, it can be frustrating and disappointing.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Acrylic nails usually fall off too soon due to poor application, nail damage during removal of old acrylics, not cleaning the nail properly before application, using low quality products, or not following proper aftercare<\/b>.<\/p>\nPoor Acrylic Application<\/h2>\n
Uneven Nail Tips<\/h3>\n
Applying acrylic powder and liquid unevenly across the nail tip is a common mistake that leads to lifting and peeling. The acrylic should be perfectly flush with the natural nail edge with no bumps or ridges.<\/p>\n
Uneven application puts stress on certain areas, causing cracks and gaps where air pockets form underneath.<\/p>\n
An analysis by NAILS Magazine<\/a> found over 60% of acrylics coming off prematurely was due to uneven nail tips from poor application technique. Ensure tips are balanced before applying product.<\/p>\n Rough shaping or skipping crucial filing steps causes weak points in the acrylic structure. The layers should be sealed together properly to get a cohesive bond. Failing to file and shape correctly leaves gaps between product and natural nail.<\/p>\n Key filing guidelines per Nail Care HQ<\/a>:<\/p>\n The right thickness and consistency is vital – too thick and product contracts and cracks as it cures, too thin and it lacks strength to adhere properly.<\/p>\n Getting the perfect thickness for maximum wear time takes practice. Ensure liquid\/powder ratios are balanced and apply with precision.<\/p>\n When removing old acrylic nails, technicians often use aggressive filing to speed up the removal process. However, over-filing thin the nail beds over time, causing weaknesses and splits in the natural nails. Filing should be limited to the surface layer of acrylic only.<\/p>\n The natural nail underneath should never be filed down just to hasten acrylic removal. Over-filing natural nails can lead to long-term damage and increased risk of lifting and cracking of new acrylic applications.<\/p>\n Some salons still use extremely harsh chemicals like pure acetone to soak off old acrylic nails. These harsh solvents dry out natural nails and cause irritation, redness and thinning of the nail plate. Gentler acetate-based removers or non-acetone removers are safer options.<\/p>\n Look for removers labeled “gentle”, “nourishing”, “conditioning” or specifically “for natural nails” to prevent excessive damage during the removal process. Soak cotton balls instead of submerging nails to minimize exposure. Rinse nails thoroughly after soak-off.<\/p>\n Never pick or peel off acrylic nails by force. This can rip layers of natural nails off, causing splits, tears, and irregular surfaces. It also stresses and weakens the bonds between layers of natural nails.<\/p>\n For safe removal, book a salon appointment and have a professional technician apply acetone and gently file off the product. Be patient during the process and allow the products to fully soak and lift before attempting to file or remove.<\/p>\n Picking causes irreparable trauma to nails and increases the chances of infection due to open wounds.<\/p>\n One of the most common reasons acrylic nails may lift or pop off is not properly removing all oil, lotion, and moisture from the natural nails first. Our nails naturally contain oil and moisture, which can prevent the acrylic or glue from adhering properly.<\/p>\n Failing to thoroughly cleanse and dehydrate the nails<\/b> allows oils and moisture to create a barrier between the natural nail and the enhancement.<\/p>\n Here are some tips for proper nail prep before an acrylic or gel manicure:<\/p>\n Properly prepping the natural nails is a crucial first step. Skipping this allows enhancements to essentially just be glued on top of oil and moisture<\/b>, instead of fusing properly to the natural nail plate. Taking those extra 5 minutes per client prevents lifting and popping off just days later!<\/p>\n Another nail prep step that sometimes gets forgotten is using a nail primer or bond prior to enhancement application. Primers and bonds are vital because they further pre-condition the nails and promote adhesion.<\/p>\n A primer lays down an extra layer to penetrate the natural nail<\/b>, while bonds act almost like super glue to grab onto the nail plate. Using one or both helps acrylic and gel better grip to the nail. Skipping this step compromises the longevity of the manicure.<\/p>\n Remember, adhesion issues usually indicate incomplete nail prep.<\/p>\n An industry report from Nail Smarts in 2022 surveyed over 250 nail technicians and found:<\/p>\n Meanwhile, those who rarely or never use primer had only a 49% lasting rate. The numbers don’t lie – primers and bonds make a huge difference!<\/p>\nImproper Filing and Shaping<\/h3>\n
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Applying Acrylics Too Thick or Thin<\/h3>\n
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\n Too Thick<\/td>\n Over 2mm thick causes contraction, cracking, and lifting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Too Thin<\/td>\n Under 1.5mm has poor adhesion and peels off easier<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n Nail Damage During Old Acrylic Removal<\/h2>\n
Over-filing Natural Nails<\/h3>\n
Using Harsh Chemicals for Soak-off<\/h3>\n
Picking Off Old Acrylic<\/h3>\n
Not Properly Prepping Nails Before Application<\/h2>\n
Not Removing All Oil and Moisture<\/h3>\n
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Skipping the Primer\/Bond<\/h3>\n
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\n Technicians who always use primer before enhancements<\/td>\n 32%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Manicures lasting 14+ days<\/td>\n 76%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n