The Reason Your Nails Hurt After Acrylics

Acrylic nails are becoming more and more popular. No longer are they a luxury for celebrities, but for many, they've become a staple of their self-care routines. But as amazing as acrylic nails look, especially with different colors and themes like the drink-inspired manicure that celebs are loving, there's a price to pay. And it's not just about the financial end of things. For some people, acrylic nails, no matter how gorgeous they look or how often you get them, can hurt like heck after you've had them done. While there can be a few reasons for this, the most common one is the fact that the acrylic nails are settling into place, making themselves a home over your natural nails. While certainly uncomfortable, the pain usually goes away within 24 hours or so.

In other cases, the reason your acrylic nails hurt after application is because the nail bed has been damaged from too many rounds of acrylic manicures and needs a break. "Most damage [from gel nail extensions and acrylics] comes from physical, mechanical stresses," cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos told Allure. "Your nails are densely packed with keratin and it's hard for most chemicals to penetrate and weaken them." 

Although the adage may be that beauty is pain, there are ways to minimize that and alternatives that are worth considering. This is especially the case if your nails are causing you discomfort for more than a day or two after each manicure.

First and foremost, do your research when it comes to nail technicians. Just because someone is certified doesn't mean that they're going to give your nails the care that they need. In fact, some technicians use an electric filer as a way to speed up the polish removal process when they should simply be soaking your nails. While that may not initially seem like a big deal, it ultimately ends up causing damage in the long run. Because of this, talk to your nail technician not only about how they apply acrylics, but also how they remove them as well as fill them.

You also should know when enough is enough. As great as acrylic nails can look and as much as a fresh mani can boost your confidence, you simply can't keep filling in your acrylics without taking a break at some point. "Acrylic has bigger molecules than gel and therefore requires bigger grooves in the natural nail to grip onto — this is often why acid-based primers are used to etch the natural nail for acrylic," nail expert Eunice Park told Byrdie. "If you've ever wondered why your nails feel sore even a day or two after an acrylic appointment, this is why." In other words, show your nails some love and try to take a break from manicures, especially manis that have such a tight grip on your natural nails, which can disrupt their health.

If you love the look of acrylics but don't want to deal with the soreness that follows, or aren't too keen on the havoc acrylics can wreak on natural nails in the long haul, there are options. For example, silk or fiberglass extensions offer the same long-lasting look, but because they're so lightweight, they don't cause as much damage the way acrylics can. Gel extensions are another alternative worth considering. "Gel nail extensions basically act like an overlay on your natural nails," nail technician Kaddy Aaliyah told Cosmopolitan. "When clients come in, I always advise them to get gel extensions ... they can even help your natural nails underneath grow longer and stronger." You can also go for press-on nails, which cause less damage and give you the ability to switch up your manicure as often as you want.

There's no denying that acrylic nails look fabulous, but in a world with so many options, it's worth exploring other ways to rock a fantastic, long-lasting manicure. This isn't just because of the soreness that follows but because of the damage they can cause. Even the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that acrylics only be used for special occasions. Also, if being on trend is important to you, as far as nail trends that are completely outdated go, long and embellished are over. So, consider embracing this trend and give your nails a break.