More and more people are turning to press-on nails because of affordability, convenience, and overall beauty. Companies that specialize in press-on nails like Glamnetic and Clutch Nails, as well as many popular brands like OPI, Olive and June, stock press-on varieties.
The design is often quite complicatedoften similar to expensive Manicure that takes hours Session at a nail salon. Suffice it to say, it’s easy to see why these easy and affordable manicures are a hit with so many.
But as with anything you put on your body, it’s normal to have questions about safety, and dermatologists have their thoughts on that, too.
“Overall, I think press-on nails are a great option. I think they’re definitely quick and easy compared to many others with gels, powders, dips, etc.” Dr. Lauren PengeI am a dermatologist with MDCS (Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery) dermatology practice in New York and New Jersey.
There are drawbacks, Penge added. “They can have a pretty negative impact on the overall health of your nails,” Penge says.
How bad is it? Here are some expert opinions and tips on how to properly use press-on nails if you do decide to use them.
An allergic reaction may occur.
Penge says it’s not uncommon for people to have an allergic reaction to the adhesive that attaches press-on nails to the actual nail.
Common adhesive ingredients that can irritate and cause allergic reactions include tosylamide; acrylate, vinyl and polyester, Penge said. These reactions commonly cause redness and itching of the skin, she noted.
Dr. Jasmine RanaHand eczema, which is scaly, itchy skin, can also occur, added the director of Stanford Health Care’s Nail Disease Clinic. Additionally, eczema can spread to other parts of the body, Lana said.
“So what that means is… if you touch your face or neck, you can get symptoms in that area. We’ve seen it on the eyelids, face, neck, arms, etc. ” Lana added.
Lana says it’s important to see a dermatologist if you experience discomfort, itching, stinging, or burning as it could be an allergic reaction or general irritation. said. Additionally, in those situations, you’ll also want to remove the press-on nails (or nail products that are causing irritation), she said.
And so are infections.
“Unfortunately, yeast, bacteria, and other types of microorganisms can become trapped under your fingernails, and this can also occur through routine hand washing. [the press-on nail is] For example, it might be a little loose or the glue might not be applied to a clean nail,” Lana explained.
Although there are treatments for most nail infections, this does not apply to all types of infections.
“It depends on how far you have progressed. [the infection is, it may not be able to be treated]or sometimes [infections or allergies] It causes permanent changes that cannot be reversed by antifungal and antibacterial treatments,” Rana said. “So that’s certainly a big red flag.”
“This is common with fungal nail infections, for example, where the nail plate thickens and separates from the nail bed. Antifungal treatment may eradicate the fungus, but if the thickening or bumps persist. ,” Rana said.
“Nails are susceptible to pathogens, which can create a cycle of reinfection,” Rana said.
“Another thing to consider is that because of the slow growth rate, treatment often takes several months,” she added.
The press-on nail removal process can cause problems such as nail damage and brittleness.
“Finally, it’s certainly possible to damage the nail plate just by being pushed or pulled away,” Penge says.
According to Penge, damage to the nail plate can be extremely painful and cause problems such as weakening of the nail, and in extreme cases, the nail plate can separate from the nail bed.
Additionally, removing press-ons can make your nails brittle or break, Lana says. “A lot of that probably has to do with the removal process to some extent, because the removal process tends to be a little bit harsher.”
Additionally, as mentioned above, the tools needed to melt press-on nail adhesive can also be damaged, which can lead to problems such as irritation and allergic reactions.
One big no-no: Curing press-on nails with gel.
Many TikTok users I posted about gel-cured press-on nails. This is a popular hack as it helps keep press-on nails longer.
Basically, gel curing involves using UV light (usually used for gel manicures) to cure the base of the gel polish underneath the press-on nail. This improves the adhesion of press-on nails.
“I think we need to be a little more careful about this, because there are a lot of allergies that occur due to incomplete healing,” Lana says. “If healing is incomplete, even if it looks solid, if it’s not, then unfortunately you’re increasing the incidence of allergies significantly.”
Overall, a regular nail polish is preferable.
“Traditional nail polish is the only safest nail cosmetic product,” Lana says.
“And if you need to do a press-on, at least a traditional press-on that requires adhesive, [actual nails and press-on] Nails that are too long are more likely to break, especially during daily use and even during the process of removing the nails,” she said.
Lana said you should also think about the process of removing nail polish.
“Basically, if you need acetone, sander, or a file to remove it, I think they can definitely remove it. [are] Potentially, your nails are more likely to become brittle,” Lana says.
Acetone is probably fine if used in small amounts for short periods of time, but it can damage the nails and surrounding skin if they need to be soaked or wrapped in acetone, he added.
Regarding press-on nail advice overall, Lana said that barring allergies, if you only use press-ons for special occasions, your nails will probably grow out just fine.
“I think the number one cause is brittle nails. …That tends to get better. [if you give your nails a break]Especially if you don’t use press-on nails very often,” Lana said.
Therefore, use caution when using press-on nails and stop using them if you notice any of the above issues.