https:\/\/www.popsugar.com\/beauty\/photo-gallery\/44932190\/image\/44932209\/Apply-topcoat<\/a>).<\/p>\nThis makes regular clear coat touch-ups essential for long-lasting press on nails.<\/p>\n
Limits on Water Exposure<\/h2>\nQuick hand washing is okay<\/h3>\n
Washing your hands quickly with press on nails is usually fine. The adhesive is strong enough to withstand a quick rinse of water and soap when washing your hands. Just try to avoid soaking the nails in water during hand washing.<\/p>\n
As long as your press ons are applied properly, they should stay put with quick hand washing.<\/p>\n
Avoid submerging nails in water<\/h3>\n
While press on nails can handle quick hand washing, you’ll want to avoid submerging them in water for an extended period of time. The water can seep underneath the nails and weaken the adhesive. Prolonged water exposure can cause the press ons to start lifting at the edges or even pop off entirely.<\/p>\n
Don’t wear for dishes, swimming, etc<\/h3>\n
For activities where your nails will be in constant contact with water, it’s best to avoid wearing press on nails. Washing dishes, swimming, bathing pets, and other wet tasks can compromise the bond of the adhesive.<\/p>\n
The press ons are likely to pop off or lift fairly quickly with that much water exposure. Save your press on nails for dry activities instead.<\/p>\n
Take nails off before showering or bathing<\/h3>\n
You’ll want to remove your press on nails before taking a shower, bath, or visiting a hot tub or sauna. The steamy environment and direct water contact will weaken the adhesive. Most press on nails won’t make it through a full shower or bath without starting to lift or fall off.<\/p>\n
Play it safe by gently removing the press ons first and keeping them dry.<\/p>\n
What to Do if Press ons Get Wet<\/h2>\nGently dry with a towel<\/h3>\n
If your press on nails get wet, one of the best things you can do is gently pat them dry with a soft towel. Don’t rub vigorously, as this can cause the nails to lift or peel off. Carefully dab at the nails to soak up any moisture without disrupting the adhesive.<\/p>\n
Use a hair dryer on a cool setting<\/h3>\n
After patting your nails dry, you can also use a hair dryer on the cool setting to help evaporate any remaining moisture. Hold the dryer several inches from the nails and wave it back and forth gently. The cool setting prevents heat damage while still drying effectively.<\/p>\n
Reapply adhesive tabs as needed<\/h3>\n
If moisture has caused the nail tabs or glue strips to detach, simply press them back into place firmly. You may also need to apply additional small dots of nail glue if the tackiness seems reduced. Let the glue set and bond for about 60 seconds before using your hands.<\/p>\n
Spot glue nails that lift<\/h3>\n
If the water exposure caused any edges or corners to lift, use a tiny amount of nail glue to re-adhere them. Apply just enough to tack it down without getting glue all over your real nails. Hold for 30-60 seconds to let it set.<\/p>\n
Replace nails if damage is severe<\/h3>\n
Unfortunately, if soaking your press on nails resulted in several coming unglued or peeling up, they may be too far gone. If more than 2-3 nails lifted significantly or the adhesive won’t re-stick no matter what, it’s best to gently remove and replace them.<\/p>\n
Let your natural nails breathe before applying a fresh, dry set.<\/p>\n
Long-Term Water Resistance Options<\/h2>\nGet professionally applied press ons<\/h3>\n
Getting your press on nails applied by a professional manicurist is one great way to ensure they will be able to withstand more moisture over time. Professionals use high-quality glues and sealants designed specifically for press on nails that provide maximum adhesion and water resistance.<\/p>\n
Many salon-quality glues claim to keep press ons secured for up to 2 weeks of wear. Opting for professional application rather than doing press ons yourself at home is the best way to get more long-term wear, even with exposure to water.<\/p>\n
Use nail glue for entire application<\/h3>\n
If you prefer to apply press on nails yourself at home, using a nail glue to fully secure the entire nail (not just the edges) will help with moisture protection. Choose a glue made specifically for artificial nails rather than traditional superglue<\/b>, as formulas designed for press on nails and extensions provide more flexibility and resistance to water, detergents, oils, etc.<\/p>\n
Apply a smooth, even layer of glue to the entire underside of each nail and hold firmly in place for 60-90 seconds before releasing to maximize adhesion. Reapply glue every few days, especially if you notice lifting or gaps appearing.<\/p>\n
Apply a quality top coat or sealant<\/h3>\n
Protecting your press on manicure with a top coat or sealant is key for water resistance. Traditional clear nail polish can work, but specialized top coats made for artificial nails prove most effective.<\/p>\n
Sealants containing acrylic, UV gel, or polymers create a protective barrier<\/b>, preventing water from seeping underneath the enhancements and causing lifting or damage. Apply the top coat over the entire nail and let dry thoroughly. It’s best to reapply every 2-3 days to maintain the protective layer.<\/p>\nAvoid excessive moisture exposure<\/h3>\n
While preparations like professional application, glue, and sealants can improve water resistance, press on nails still have limitations for regular, excessive moisture exposure. Even with protective measures, activities like:<\/p>\n
\n- Dishwashing<\/li>\n
- Swimming<\/li>\n
- Hot tubs<\/li>\n
- Long showers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Can still compromise enhancement wear and adhesion. Whenever possible, wear waterproof gloves for wet tasks, limit water exposure time, and remove press ons before swimming or bathing. Be extra diligent about reapplying glue and top coat after they encounter moisture to help reinforce and restore water resistance.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
While press on nails are not fully waterproof, there are steps you can take to make them more water-resistant. Limiting hand submersion, properly applying nails, and adding a protective top coat can allow press ons to withstand minor wetness.<\/p>\n
With the right precautions, you can feel confident rocking press on nails without worrying about damage from accidental water exposure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Press on nails have become an increasingly popular nail enhancement option for their affordability, ease of application, and temporary wear. Their adhesive nature, however, leaves many wondering if press on nails can withstand water exposure or if getting them wet causes damage. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Press…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2215,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/can-press-on-nails-get-wet-1024x614.webp",1024,614,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/can-press-on-nails-get-wet.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}