How long do extended nails last and what does it depend on?

One of the attributes of a well-groomed woman is neat nails with a good manicure. This is especially true for those representatives of the fair sex, whose work involves frequent manipulations of the hands. Unfortunately, not everyone can boast strong healthy nails with a beautiful shape. Many women have certain problems with the rate of growth of nails, they are short, brittle and exfoliating. In some cases, neither better varnishes, nor therapeutic masks or baths help.

No professional master can predict how long the extended nails can hold. This period depends on many factors, which include not only the level of the master and the quality of the materials, but also the vital activity of the woman herself. Most often, clients of salons are recommended to carry out corrections every 2 weeks. Not everyone can afford it, since the procedure takes at least 2 hours, and you also have to pay a considerable amount for it. Some clients manage to pass without correction 3 or even 4 weeks after building up, while the majority have to remove material at home due to chips or deformation of the material.

There are two main types of nail extensions: on tips and on forms. To date, the first option is already a thing of the past, as less convenient and more harmful to nails and skin. Special plastic tips were glued to the nail plate and to the skin around it, which had a negative effect on the tissue. Such a manicure did not look natural, it was rather fragile and short-lived, reminiscent of ordinary glued nails.

The second option, by contrast, does not lose its relevance to this day. In this case, the artificial nail plate is formed from plastic material on a special paper form installed near the edge of the nail. After forming, the material is baked under ultraviolet rays, which makes it hard. The finished nail is filed to the desired shape and decorated with decorative coatings and accessories.

The gel structure is very similar to the structure of the nail plate, which allows the tissues to breathe and absorb moisture even after baking the material. Such a manicure looks as natural as possible, it is smooth and even. When choosing high-quality materials and an experienced specialist, the first exfoliation can appear only at 3-4 weeks. And the term of wear depends on the growth rate of a woman’s nail and ranges from 4 to 5 weeks. The only disadvantage of this material is the difficulty of removing at home. Unlike acrylic, it will have to be cut in parts or use the services of a professional.

The acrylic coating usually does not last as long as the gel coating due to its less dense structure. However, every year, manufacturers of such gels bring to the market products of ever higher quality, which allows to increase the wear time of acrylic nails. Due to the high porosity and brittleness of the material, the longest wear period is a month. But most often, nails require correction after 2-3 weeks.

Unlike gel, this coating is easier to remove at home, using foil, cotton pads and a special liquid. To do this, it is necessary to wet cotton wool pieces with a solvent, put them on the nail and wrap everything with a dense layer of foil. After 15-20 minutes, the coating is easily removed with an orange stick or a toothpick. In this case, unlike gel, acrylic is a strong allergen and can cause irritation and inflammation on the nails and on the skin. Before doing the extension at home or in the cabin, it is better to conduct a test for an allergic reaction.

There are many different factors that affect the quality and durability of a coating. All of them can be divided into several groups, depending on whether they are external or internal.

The durability of both gel and acrylic manicure depends primarily on the client’s nail growth rate. The faster the plate grows, the sooner you will have to go for a correction or completely remove the coating. Correction is required not only for the sake of aesthetics, but also for the artificial nail to be attached to a larger area.

If the master or salon saves on materials, do not expect miracles from building. It is best to choose mid-range offers, ignoring too big discounts. The low price may indicate the inexperience of a specialist in manicure or low-quality materials.

Drying time, coating thickness, treatment of the nail before and after applying the material - all this directly affects the wear time of the artificial nail. In the case when a woman prefers to carry out building on her own at home, she needs to take a couple of lessons from a professional or learn several master classes on the Internet.

Even simple weather conditions can affect the gel or acrylic coating. For example, winter frosts somewhat shorten the wear of extended nails. Especially if a woman does not wear gloves. With strong impacts, the coating may crack, for example, from the sound of nails on the keys of the keyboard when working on a computer. Handwashing, washing clothes, going to the pool or sauna - any prolonged contact with moisture and cleaning products negatively affects the gel and acrylic.

If it is almost impossible to change the individual characteristics of nails, then the environmental impact and the quality of the procedure can and should be controlled. There are several rules, compliance with which will maximize the term wear of artificial turf.

• Do not lay too long the free edge, otherwise such a nail will quickly break or begin to bend.
• Before applying and correcting manicure, it is necessary to refrain from contact with fatty and oily substances for at least a day. Both gel and acrylic are better placed on a dry fat-free plate.
• After the manicure, you should not visit the sauna, solarium or pool for 2-3 days. And too long contact with water and hot baths are undesirable.

• All household chores will have to be done with thick rubber gloves so that cleaning products and brushes do not damage the coating. It is not worth scratching and picking with extended nails, as there is a tool for everything.
• Cracks in the nail can occur with a sharp temperature difference. Having entered the heat from the frost, do not immediately wash your hands with hot water or take a mug of hot tea. It’s best to just wait 5-10 minutes for your hands to warm.

For how to care for extended nails, see the next video.