Beautiful toes just make life easier! Open toes are worn with ease, dipping your toes in sand or water come with less anxiety, and cuddling up becomes stress-free.
For these reasons, we completely understand why so many clients are now requesting Acrylic full sets on their toes. And, though acrylic nails are very commonly used on fingernails — we DO NOT recommend them for your toes, because they have greater risks involved with wear.
Rather than us giving you a straight-up "NO" or begging you not to go to another salon for this service, below we review some need-to-know information on Acrylic Toes.
Acrylic Toes Shouldn't Be Used To Cover Up A Problem
Most ladies and gents request acrylic enhancements, like full sets and repairs, on their toes to cover up a problem like chipping and cracking.
These are serious nail disorders that can be resolved in time with the proper care. Keep in mind, that even with proper care it takes at least nine months for your toenail to grow out.
Patience is always key for beautiful natural nails.
Our clients wish to use acrylic as a solution for brittle nails and discoloration. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE RED FLAG.
Are You Trying To Hide Discoloration?
In many cases, discoloration can be the sign of a toenail fungal infection. Fungus appears as thickened and yellow toenails.
If you suspect that this is the case, your local nail salon is not the solution. You must seek the help of a podiatrist.
In addition to fungus, another cause of thick, discolored toenails is trauma. This is a very common occurrence and can happen from something as simple as bumping your toe, stubbing, getting stepped on, or even wearing the improper shoes.
It is even possible that the trauma isn't major, but it an become a problem if your toe repeatedly becomes impacted.
Are You Trying To Hide Brittleness?
We always say, "It isn't the product that damages your nails, it's the nail tech".
In many cases, this is true and your technician needs to be chosen carefully in order to protect all of the 20 digits you carry with you on a daily basis.
In other cases, brittle nails can be a sign of something more serious.
Brittle nails — also known as onychoschizia —are likely to split, peel, or break and can be a result of an underlying health condition (like iron deficiency, hypothyroidism, and Raynaud's syndrome).
In simpler cases, brittle nails are caused by age, too little moisture, or overexposure to detergents, household cleaners, and nail polish removers with acetone.
So . . . What's The Problem with Acrylic Toes?
Acrylic nails are hard and inflexible.
While this isn't an issue on your fingernails, it poses a problem when you put your foot into a shoe.
Your toe nails flex as you walk and as you contact a shoe.
Without this flexibility, the nail would embed into your toe and create an ingrown toe. The pressure, even for a short time, can cause a severe toe infection to form.
Even without an ingrown, your foot in a shoe holds moisture throughout the day — the combination of moisture, acrylic, and lifting are the main causes of nail fungus not a result of disorder or disease.
Besides damaging you, nail fungus is highly contagious and easy to spread through simple touch.
If Not Acrylic, How Do I Repair My Toe Nails?
Other than the options provided to you by a medical doctor or a podiatrist, a good nail tech would suggest the following solutions.
Keep Your Nails Short — during your nail recovery to minimize the nail surface area, where water, oils, and chemicals are absorbed.
Use a fine grit emery board — filing your nails daily can eliminate irregularities and prevent breakage and splitting. It is important to file in one direction rather than a "sawing" motion.
Don't pick or bite — your nails or cuticles. Always used properly sterilized metal instruments or do nothing at all and leave it to a licensed professional on at least a bi-weekly basis.
Use a nail hardener or strengthener — in this case, a structured gel or hard gel base coat should be enough to keep your nails healthy.
As long as your toes are maintained frequently and with extra care when polish is being removed by an e-file (most commonly know as a drill), you should be well on your way to healthier looking toes.Also consider asking your doctor about the benefits of taking a biotin supplement.
Find the Right Acrylic Toe Nail Technician
The use of acrylic enhancements on your toes can lead to more harm than good. If you're trying to cover up a problem such as chipping or cracking, it's best to seek proper care and be patient with natural nail growth.
But, as long as your toes are maintained frequently and with extra care when polish is being removed by an e-file (most commonly known as a drill), you should be well on your way to healthier-looking toes.
If you want to have your toes looking their best, we urge you to have them done by a professional who is familiar with acrylic toes in Las Vegas.
When booking your next appointment, be sure to choose a reputable salon like The Nail Collective that prioritizes your health and safety above all else.