Why you should use press on nails and the dangers of acrylics and gels manicures.

Have you ever seen Jennifer Lopez without perfect nails in her performances?   Her nails often change designs and lengths from performances onstage at The American Music Awards, The Grammy’s and music videos. What’s her secret? She uses press on nails. The brands   J.Lo’s likes are  Static Nails  and  iikkonn.

Many celebrities use  them because  they are quick, easy and safe to use. There is less damage to the nail than acrylics and virtually no chipping until you take them off.

Celebrity singer Beyonce gets press on nails. She proudly had her nails painted purple with KOBE on one hand and Gigi on the other. Such a caring gesture for the  for all those love and miss Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi. The famed nail artist who paints over Beyonce’s nails is named Lisa Logan. Her salon,  The Nail Suite  is located in Harlem, New York. Lisa also works with celebrities Katie Holmes and Pink.

Were you surprised your   nail  salon has raised prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Press on nails are a more affordable option than getting a traditional manicure every week or two. Nail press kits can be priced as low as five to $10. That’s quite a savings over the traditional manicure that can cost upwards of $50 or more.

It’s a great idea to have a few sets of press on nails on hand because as we never know  whether nail salons will   again close at the last minute.    

With press on nails is that you can change your color and style anytime and you don’t have to wait for the next few weeks to get to your nail   salon. Press on nails are so versatile you can use them from a day look and then use a different set with a different color and design for an evening look on the same day.

Are Press on Nails Safe?

Let’s begin to observe what the traditional methods of fake nails do. The UV light used to set gel manicures, traditional manicures  and acrylic tips can be dangerous to the skin and cause cancer.  It’s a good idea  to apply sunscreen 20 minutes prior to any UV treatment. The electric file that removes   these toxic critters on your nails can damage the nail plate and cuticle.

Those toxic odors you’re breathing in while your manicurist puts gel and glues on your nails are certainly not healthy. That alone makes is a good idea to wear a mask at the salon even when Covid-19 is not around anymore when opting for gel and acrylic nails.

Giving your nails a break from traditional manicures whether using gel or tips is a good idea. This allows the nails to breathe and heal. “Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.” says the  American Academy of Dermatology

Still, there are concerns with press on nails, but the advantages are far less dangerous then other gel and tip manicures. Some of the concerns would be the actual glue adhesive that is under the press on nail to attach it to the nail bed. When removing the nail from the natural nail their can be issues where some superficial layers of nail cells occur. What  appears as  white spots on the nail is called keratin granulation. Don’t worry, they can be removed with light buffing.

If you’re trying to naturally grow your nails long and strong it’s a good idea to give traditional manicures that includes gel or acrylic nail tips a break. You also have to consider the damage that can be done with many of the nail polishes on the market today. They contain chemicals that can leach into the nail bed an weaken the nail.

“Toluene is linked to short-term problems like headaches, confusion, fatigue, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. In the long-term, toluene is associated with impacts like kidney and liver damage, reproductive harm, and developmental toxicity.” Source:  Madesafe.org

Formaldehyde is frequently used in nail polish. In fact, up to nail hardeners include formaldehyde concentrations of up to 5%, while nail polish can go up to 0.5%.  Source:  ZME Science

Dibutyl Phthalate, a commonly used plasticizer, exposure has been linked to nausea and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat. Source:  ZME Science

Try an organic nail polish available on the market today. Give them a try even if they are more expensive if you are concerned about allergies and your health.

Final Note- You can add designs over your press on nails and polish over them if you like. Stay safe and healthy with press on nails.