Q&A for How to Care for Acrylic Nails

They can, yes. Acrylics don't allow the natural nail to breathe and they can take off the top layer of the nail when being removed. If you clean them and maintain them properly, you can minimize the damage.

Yes, but contact with water should be kept to a minimum. If you need to do something where they would be wet for a long time, like washing dishes, it's best to wear gloves.

Yes, but you want to avoid letting your nails stay wet for too long. Make sure to dry them thoroughly after your shower.

You can leave them on for up to 3 months if you touch them up every two weeks or so. It's better for your nails if you give them a break every 2-3 weeks.

If you have your nails done by an experienced nail technician, they can go from 2-4 weeks without seeing any breaks or cracks, sometimes longer. It's really about the application process, and whether they structured the nail and used the right formulas to build up the nail.

To remove the glue (which will remove the fake nail) use nail polish remover with acetone. You cannot reuse acrylics.

Both options are fine. Refill the nails if you still want them and take them off if you don't.

It sounds as though you have bruised your natural nail underneath the acrylic by pulling it. I wouldn't worry if the pain is going away now, but if gets worse, go and see a nail tech and get the nail off so you can see if there is damage underneath.

If it's a really strong smell, you should have it looked at by whatever nail salon you go to. If you can only smell it from really close up, that's normal.

You should never hurt your nails while removing your acrylics. As you will be soaking the nails in acetone until they come away from your natural nails, there shouldn't be any pain.

As many as you want. As your nails grow out, they will just be filled and trimmed at the salon, even after the fake part of your nail is gone

Yes. It makes your edge quite thick, so you may want to file to taper and, after filing, it would be wise to clean well with an alcohol wipe.

Usually 1 to 1.5 hours. It also depends on how experienced the manicurist is, and how detailed your design is.

Probably around age 12 or 13. It all depends on what the parent or guardian thinks, if you're a child. If you're an adult, you can get them anytime.

No, the UV light is not going to give you cancer in your nails.

Oil your nails once or twice daily.

It depends on how much you use your hands. Mine last 2-4 weeks, but I'm also a nail biter, so yours may last longer. if you wish to take them off at home, simply soak your nails in acetone.

If your acrylic nails start hurting you, go back to the salon and get them professionally removed.

They last for 2-3 weeks normally, but if you take care of them they could last for even a month. And if you keep getting infill avoid really hot water.

Unfortunately, no. Filing the nail will most likely damage it. Try to file the acrylics before painting them.

Yes, you can swim with acrylic nails on.

No, but it will start to fade or chip away as you use your hands. You can touch up the polish whenever necessary though.

If the nail starts to lift away from your natural nail, there's a risk of infection, and you should go back to the salon to get it looked at.

It depends on the high school. Most public schools should allow them, as long as they do not have anything inappropriate on them.

Use an acetone-free nail polish remover to remove your polish from acrylics. Clear nail polish most likely not remove your previous nail polish, just paint over it.

It won't last as long as nail glue, but will last longer than just a top coat.

This depends on the school, though religious schools are less likely to let any students wear fake nails.

They can last for several weeks if you take care of them.

When you go back to get your nails done again, you can either remove the acrylics yourself (look up how to do it properly) or you can have them professionally removed at the salon. But why would you go back in a week? Acrylics are expensive, they can stay on for around 2 weeks without any chipping, cracking, popping off or having new nail growth show at the cuticles.

You can get rubbing alcohol and clean it throughly. If it doesn't work, then rub it with soap and water.