Can Press On Nails Damage Your Nails? Pros Explain

Right here’s the factor, although: Regardless that I solely use press-ons a few occasions a month (if that), my thumbnails look completely altered consequently—which apparently a facet impact of press-ons that many individuals expertise. I chatted with two nail consultants to seek out out why.

Why do I immediately have dents in my thumbnails after press-ons?

Whereas my pinkies, ring fingers, center fingers, and pointer fingers all look completely effective post-press-ons, my thumbs look dented and ridged—to the purpose that I now seek advice from them as dinosaur nails as a result of they remind me of an armored Ankylosaurus.

In line with Dana Stern, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who makes a speciality of nails and the founding father of nailcare line Dr. Dana Nails, these dents are frequent with press-on use. “A sequence of dents or transverse grooves within the nail is often resulting from trauma to the nail matrix, which is the area of the nail that produces what we seek advice from because the nail,” she explains. “A part of the matrix can often be seen on the thumbnail because the half moon or lunula.”

Whereas all nails have a matrix, Dr. Dana says that the thumbnail has the biggest matric of all of the fingernails and it’s thus extra inclined to break.

“Any repetitive pushing again on the cuticle, which straight overlies the matrix, can lead to trauma to the matrix and consequence within the new nail rising out with dents,” she says. “The explanation that this happens with press-ons is as a result of they push in opposition to the cuticle and harm the nail matrix. It occurs extra usually on the thumbnail as a result of it has the biggest matrix of the fingernails and requires the biggest press-on nail, which exerts the biggest drive and is subsequently essentially the most probably damaging.”

Along with how we apply our press-on nails, how we take away them can have an effect on our nail plates, too. “Individuals are likely to underestimate the potential harm that may come up from improper elimination of nail enhancements,” says Mazz Hanna, celeb manicurist and CEO of Nailing Hollywood. “Once you choose or rip off a press-on nail you’re doubtless taking a layer of your nail plate with it. This could harm the nail and in the end disrupt the expansion cycle, which can result in ridging.” And the extra usually you repeat the method, the extra broken your nail plate turns into.

How lengthy do these dents final?

Contemplating I apply press-ons each few weeks, my thumbnails characteristic a number of spaced-out dents from the cuticle to the tip of my nail. Whereas the dents aren’t instantly seen post-removal, Dr. Dana says that they sometimes present up in a single to 2 months following the trauma. Fortunately, she assures us that the dents sometimes aren’t everlasting—they develop out. “It takes six months to interchange a typical grownup fingernail,” she says.

The best way to forestall the dents

Since thumbnail dents are a direct results of irritating the cuticle and the underlying nail matrix, it’s vital to be extra light when making use of press-ons. For instance, I often firmly maintain every press-on in place for 20 to 30 seconds to make sure it’s adhered. Usually, I maintain my thumbnails on a bit longer and with a contact extra strain because it’s the biggest nail, to not point out a finger I take advantage of much more often in every day life. Now that I do know why my thumbnails are denting, although, I’ll be extra conscious about how onerous I press my nails on.

“Go simple with something close to the cuticle,” encourages Dr. Dana encourages. “Whether or not it is pushing again the cuticle or pushing a press-on into place, attempt to do it gingerly to stop harm to the matrix.”

Moreover, she suggests permitting present dents to develop out earlier than making use of new nails, in any other case you run the danger of creating multi-ridged nails like mine. On the finish of the day, although, it’s largely only a beauty concern, so it’s as much as you once you need to experiment along with your subsequent set of pressies.

And bear in mind: The best way you take away your press-ons issues, too. “The easiest way to keep away from damaging your nails is with correct elimination,” Hanna says. “I at all times advocate following the producer’s directions for elimination, however I do have just a few merchandise and strategies that I often flip to for this. Static Nails Pop On Remover is my go-to product. The bottle is as useful as it’s elegant—the built-in dropper makes software simple. Simply apply just a few drops and after a couple of minutes the nails will slide proper off—even when they’re glued on. Dashing Diva Magic Off is one other nice product for this.” (Since these merchandise usually promote out, you may additionally need to contemplate the Olive & June Press-On Nail Polish Remover Kit in its place).