Table of contents:
- What are artificial nails?
- The dangers of using artificial nails
- 1. Nails are damaged
- 2. Infection
- 3. Allergies
- Don't worry, the dangers of artificial nails can be minimized
Some of you may choose to use fake nails to enhance the appearance of your fingers. However, behind the beautiful appearance of fake nails, there is a risk of danger lurking. Let's take a deeper look at the negative effects of using artificial nails that may happen to you below.
What are artificial nails?
Before discussing the dangers of artificial nails, it's good to know what and what these artificial nails are made of.
False nails are also known as artificial nails. This is a technique for lengthening nails with various materials, such as gel, acrylic, or silk.
Among the three, acrylic is the most popular material. Acrylic can form a hard shell like a real nail.
When installing acrylic nails, you will be asked to regularly go to the salon every 2 or 3 weeks. The goal is to repair the gap between the cuticle and acrylic nails that are formed due to growing nails.
Apart from acrylic, gel nails are also often used. The process is the same as if you paint your nails. However, gel nails require ultraviolet (UV) light to harden the gel.
Gel material is more durable than acrylic, but is much more expensive.
The dangers of using artificial nails
For women, appearance can be a priority, including the fingers. That is why, fake nails were chosen to beautify the fingers.
Before making the heart of using fake nails, it helps you understand the various risks that may occur behind the beauty of installing fake nails.
Yes, even though it is quite safe, artificial nails still have some negative effects. The reason is, fake nails use chemicals that can damage the health of the nails and the skin around them.
Some of the problems with your nails that may occur if you wear artificial nails include:
1. Nails are damaged
The acrylic nail installation process will file your real nails. After this, your nails will be coated with chemicals. Both of these processes can make your nails thinner.
Also, if you want to remove them, the process of removing fake nails made from acrylic or gel can also make your nails thinner.
Usually, your nails will be soaked in acetone for 10 minutes or more. Exposure to these chemicals can dry out the coating of your nails even more.
If this is done continuously without proper care, the nails become very brittle and break easily.
2. Infection
According to Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D, a skin health expert at the Mayo Clinic, mentions the dangers of using artificial nails. Although it is rare, artificial nails can increase the risk of infection of the nails.
The use of acrylic nails, causes nail gaps. The area is very moisturized, which allows bacteria and fungus to thrive. If this condition persists, bacterial and fungal infections can occur.
Bacterial infection on your nails, will cause the nails to be red, swollen, and festering. Meanwhile, a fungal infection will make the surrounding skin itchy, and the nails turn yellowish and brittle.
3. Allergies
Certain people may be allergic to the material from artificial nails. The chemicals in them can eventually become irritating.
If you are a person with sensitive skin, one of the dangers of false nails that is likely to occur is an allergic reaction, such as red, itchy, and swollen nails.
Don't worry, the dangers of artificial nails can be minimized
Reporting from the pages of the American Academy of Dermatology, nail damage due to nail makeup can be minimized. Follow some of the following tips.
- Don't overuse fake nails. Occasionally let your nails clean from paint, gel, or acrylic. Take advantage of using artificial nails only for attending certain events, such as weddings, parties, or other events, not everyday use.
- Choose a nail salon that uses LED light to dry artificial gel nails instead of UV rays. LED rays emit less radiation than UV rays.
- Ask the salon staff not to trim the cuticles while cleaning the nails before applying artificial nails. The cuticles protect the nails and surrounding skin from infection.
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