HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Artificial nails, also known as fake nails, false nails, acrylic nails, press ons, nail extensions or nail enhancements, are extensions placed over fingernails as
fashion accessories In fashion, an accessory is an item used to contribute, in a secondary manner, to an individual's outfit. Accessories are often chosen to complete an outfit and complement the wearer's look. They have the capacity to further express an individua ...
. Many artificial nail designs attempt to mimic the appearance of real fingernails as closely as possible, while others may deliberately stray in favor of an artistic look. Artificial nails require regular upkeep: it is recommended that they are attended to, on average, every two weeks; however they may last over one month.


Types

Artificial nails are an extension, not a replacement, of natural nails. There are two main approaches to creating artificial nails – ''tips'' and ''forms'': * A tip is a heavyweight nail-shaped plastic plate glued on the end of the natural nail, or, if it is a full-cover tip or "press-on", glued on top of the entire nailbed, and can have gel, dip or acrylic added on top * A form is a shaped sheet with a sticky edge that is effectively attached to the tip of the finger and wrapped around the entirety of the nail to form an extension: this offers more creative control over the final shape of the artificial nail Atop these, either acrylic, hard gel, or any combination of both may be applied. Tips are available in many different designs, ranging from solid colors like gel or regular nail polish, to graphic designs such as animal prints and metallic colors. In addition to polishes, other embellishments may be used, such as rhinestones, glitter, stickers, fimo charms and striping tape, to add more to the artificial nail's design. Artificial nails can be shaped, cut, and filed into a variety of shapes, including square, squared oval/"squoval", rounded, almond, ballerina/coffin, mountain peak, lipstick, and stiletto.


Acrylic nails

Acrylic nails are made out of
acrylic glass Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a synthetic polymer derived from methyl methacrylate. It is a transparent thermoplastic, used as an engineering plastic. PMMA is also known as acrylic, acrylic glass, as well as by the trade names and bran ...
. The conventional technology employs polymer beads synthesized from ethyl methacrylate (poly-EMA). When it is mixed with a liquid
monomer A monomer ( ; ''mono-'', "one" + '' -mer'', "part") is a molecule that can react together with other monomer molecules to form a larger polymer chain or two- or three-dimensional network in a process called polymerization. Classification Chemis ...
(usually
ethyl methacrylate Ethyl methacrylate is the organic compound with the formula C2H5O2CC(CH3)=CH2. A colorless liquid, it is a common monomer for the preparation of acrylate polymer An acrylate polymer (also known as acrylic or polyacrylate) is any of a group of ...
mixed with some
inhibitor Inhibitor or inhibition may refer to: Biology * Enzyme inhibitor, a substance that binds to an enzyme and decreases the enzyme's activity * Reuptake inhibitor, a substance that increases neurotransmission by blocking the reuptake of a neurotransmi ...
) it forms a malleable bead. This mixture begins to cure immediately, continuing until completely solid in minutes. Acrylic nails can last up to 21 days but can last longer with touch-ups. To give acrylic nails color, gel polish, nail polish, and dip powders can be applied. Use of MMA (Methyl methacrylate liquid monomers) acrylics are strongly discouraged and banned in some states as it can cause damage to the natural nail, asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth; difficulty concentrating; loss of smell and kidney issues. A suitable alternative is EMA (Ethyl Methacrylate Liquid Monomers) in salon use.


Gel nails

Gel nails can be utilised in order to create artificial nail extensions, but can also be used like
nail polish Nail polish (also known as nail varnish in British English or nail enamel) is a lacquer that can be applied to the human Nail (anatomy), fingernails or toenails to decorate and protect the nail plates. The formula has been revised repeatedly t ...
. They are hardened using ultraviolet light. They last longer than regular nail polish and chip less often. They can have a high- gloss finish and last for two to three weeks. Gel nails are strong, although not as strong as acrylic or fiberglass nails, and tend to be more expensive.
Acetone Acetone (2-propanone or dimethyl ketone) is an organic compound with the chemical formula, formula . It is the simplest and smallest ketone (). It is a colorless, highly Volatile organic compound, volatile, and flammable liquid with a charact ...
does not dissolve some types of gel nails, so they have to be removed at a
salon Salon may refer to: Common meanings * Beauty salon A beauty salon or beauty parlor is an establishment that provides Cosmetics, cosmetic treatments for people. Other variations of this type of business include hair salons, spas, day spas, ...
by buffing and filing, usually with an electric nail file. Repeated buffing can lead to thinning of the nail plate until the buffed nails fully grow out. Improper application of gel nail products, including soft gel tips, polygel, gel polish, and builder gel can lead to fungal infections and allergic reactions. A new gel nail extension was created circa 2017 that is commonly referred to as Gel-X, or soft gel tips. It is a soft gel nail tip that is precut in differing styles and lengths which covers the whole nail bed up to the end of the nail. Gel-X are applied by first applying a PH bonder (dehydrator) followed by an acid-free gel primer. Finally, it is glued on using a gel adhesive that is cured using a UV light. The removal process of gel-X nails is dissolving in
acetone Acetone (2-propanone or dimethyl ketone) is an organic compound with the chemical formula, formula . It is the simplest and smallest ketone (). It is a colorless, highly Volatile organic compound, volatile, and flammable liquid with a charact ...
for 20 minutes.


Nail wraps

Nail wraps are formed by cutting pieces of
fiberglass Fiberglass (American English) or fibreglass (English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth English) is a common type of fibre-reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened i ...
,
linen Linen () is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is very strong and absorbent, and it dries faster than cotton. Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. Lin ...
, silk fabric, or another material to fit on the surface of the nail (or a tip attached prior), to be sealed onto the nail plate with a layer of resin or glue. They do not damage the nail and also provide strength to the nail but are not used to lengthen itSimms (2003)
p. 397
– and they can also be used to fix broken nails. The treatment is, however, more expensive. Nail wraps last 5–7 days, but can last longer if worn and used correctly. Add-ons can impact the durability of the nail wraps. To take nail wraps off correctly, the wrap should be soaked in acetone for long enough to soften the adhesive.


Nail tips

Nail tips are made of a strong bendable material called
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) (chemical formula (C8H8)''x''·(C4H6)''y''·(C3H3N)''z'' ) is a common thermoplastic polymer. Its glass transition temperature is approximately . ABS is amorphous and therefore has no true melting point. A ...
(ABS). Nail tips are attached to the natural nail to extend its length and provides room for more nail designs.Simms (2003)
p. 398
They can come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, but the most popular ones are usually clear or white. They only last for 7–10 days. Some nail tips can also be made out of soft gel, for stronger applications when tips are the sole extension, with no other product on top. Gel-X is an example of a soft gel nail tip system. Soft gel tips are always clear to ensure the gel glue can be fully cured under UV light.


Dip powder

With the dip powder method, a clear liquid is brushed onto a nail and the nail is then placed into dip powder, similar to what is used in the application of acrylic nails. The process is repeated multiple times, depending on how long the extension is. Dip nails tend to last about a month, two-to-three weeks longer than gel and acrylic nails. It can be worn on natural nails, nails with added tips, or can create artificial nails. Dip-powder enhancements can also be used for quick nail repairs. Dip-powder nails do not require any UV/LED light to cure: instead they are cured using an activator. The quickest way to remove dip powder is to drill, clip off or buff out layers of the powder so that, when they are soaked in acetone, they simply slide off.


History

Historically, artificial nails were common symbols of status all across the world: * During the
Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...
of China, noblewomen wore very long artificial nails as a
status symbol A status symbol is a visible, external symbol of one's social position, an indicator of Wealth, economic or social status. Many luxury goods are often considered status symbols. ''Status symbol'' is also a Sociology, sociological term – as part ...
indicating that, unlike commoners, they did not have to do
manual labor Manual labour (in Commonwealth English, manual labor in American English) or manual work is physical work done by humans, in contrast to labour by machines and working animals. It is most literally work done with the hands (the word ''manual'' ...
. * In early 19th century
Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
, upper-class women often wore empty
pistachio The pistachio (, ; ''Pistacia vera'') is a small to medium-sized tree of the Anacardiaceae, cashew family, originating in Iran. The tree produces nut (fruit)#Culinary definition and uses, seeds that are widely consumed as food. In 2022, world ...
shells over their nails, slowly spreading the artificial nail trend across Europe. "The earliest experiments and resultant artificial nails used a monomer and polymer mix applied to the nail and extended over a supporting form. This structure hardened and, when the support was removed, was then shaped to look like a natural extension of the nail plate. These dental materials were chemicals that came under the 'family' name of acrylics: thus the acrylic artificial nail was created. All materials subsequently used also belong to the acrylic family, but the term 'acrylic nails' has stuck to the method of using a liquid monomer and powder polymer." In 1878, Mary E. Cobb opened the first manicure salon in Manhattan. This came after studying nail care in France and marrying
podiatrist A podiatrist ( ) is a medical professional devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. The term originated in North America but has now become the accepted term in the English-speaking world for ...
, J. Parker Pray. During the 1920s, short well-manicured round nails were a symbol of wealth. Revlon made their first appearance in 1932 with only one single product, long lasting formula nail enamel. In 1954, Dr. Fred Slack Jr., a dentist, cut his thumb nail at work, and created an artificial nail using dental acrylic resin and aluminum foil as a realistic-looking temporary replacement. After experiments with different materials to perfect his invention, he and his brother, Tom, patented a successful version and started the company Patti Nails. Fred Slack used his dental equipment and chemicals to replace his natural nail, but over time the process has significantly changed. In the late 20th century, artificial nails for women became widely popular all over the world. In today's time there are even nail styling competitions. Judges of these nail competitions look for consistency from nail to nail. They also judge whether or not the nails complement the model's hands. If the nails are beautiful, but too long for the model's hands, the judge will count off points. The competitors will be judged on how neat their work space is and how organized they are.


Health effects


Perceived benefits

Acrylic nails help conceal or fix broken, damaged, short, or otherwise considered "undesirable" nail appearance. They also help prevent nail biting, breakage, and splits. They are used when people are not able to grow the length and strength of natural nails that they desire or simply desire a new fashion look. This problem can be solved by using certain nail techniques such as nail tipping, sculptured nails, nail wrapping, or acrylic overlays. With improper removal, acrylic nails often damage natural nails. An experienced nail technician should assist with this to ensure nail health.


Health risks


Nail infection and damage to natural nail

If fitted properly, artificial nails are usually not problematic. However, long term use and poorly fitted nails can seriously damage the nail bed and hamper natural nail growth. Natural nails may become thin and weaken with frequent touch-ups. The most common problem associated with artificial nails is a fungal infection that may develop between the false and natural nails. When artificial nails are applied to the natural nail surface, minor types of trauma to the artificial nails which can happen from something as harmless as scraping or bumping a nail against a firm surface can cause separation of the nail from its nail bed. This allows bacteria and fungus to potentially enter the separated area setting up an infection and bacterial burden. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities do not allow employees to have long fingernails, fake or real, due to the risk of said nails harboring microbes that could transmit diseases to patients. Infection can also be a risk when nails are applied by a disreputable nail salon that does not follow sanitary practices.


Hand hygiene risks

The use of nail polish and artificial nails make proper hand hygiene and
hand washing Hand washing (or handwashing), also known as hand hygiene, is the act of cleaning one's hands with soap, soap or handwash and water to remove viruses, bacteria, microorganisms, dirt, grease, and other harmful or unwanted substances stuck to th ...
more difficult, because they are more difficult to clean than natural nails. Therefore, in professions where hand hygiene is important, such as when handling food or providing patient care, nail polish and artificial nails are usually forbidden. For example, a guideline of the
National Health Service (England) The National Health Service (NHS) is the Publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare system in England, and one of the four National Health Service systems in the United Kingdom. It is the second largest single-payer healthcare sy ...
explicitly forbids both during patient care activity. The
Food and Agriculture Organization The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; . (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its Latin motto, , translates ...
publishes similar advice for the food retail sector.


Danger to nail salon workers

From an occupational health standpoint, there could be hazards to nail salon workers who are exposed to the chemical fumes from artificial nails during their entire work shift. Ethyl methacrylate can be used for artificial nails and can cause
contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis is a type of acute or chronic inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to chemical or physical agents. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include itchy or dry skin, a red rash, bumps, blisters, or swelling. These rashes ...
,
asthma Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wh ...
, and allergies in the eyes and nose. Nail salon workers also face exposure to other chemicals used, such as
toluene Toluene (), also known as toluol (), is a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula , often abbreviated as , where Ph stands for the phenyl group. It is a colorless, water Water is an inorganic compound with the c ...
,
dibutyl phthalate Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is an organic compound of phthalate which is commonly used as a plasticizer because of its low toxicity and wide liquid range. With the chemical formula C6H4(CO2C4H9)2, it is a colorless oil, although impurities often r ...
, and
formaldehyde Formaldehyde ( , ) (systematic name methanal) is an organic compound with the chemical formula and structure , more precisely . The compound is a pungent, colourless gas that polymerises spontaneously into paraformaldehyde. It is stored as ...
. The products used to make acrylic nails may also be flammable. Exposure to
methyl methacrylate Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is an organic compound with the formula . This colorless liquid, the methyl ester of methacrylic acid (MAA), is a monomer produced on a large scale for the production of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). History MMA ...
(the precursor to
acrylic glass Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a synthetic polymer derived from methyl methacrylate. It is a transparent thermoplastic, used as an engineering plastic. PMMA is also known as acrylic, acrylic glass, as well as by the trade names and bran ...
) can cause drowsiness, light-headedness, and trembling of the hands, and so it has been banned for use in cosmetology in the majority of US states. Use of methyl methacrylate can cause skin reactions and damages to the natural nails, sometimes even permanently. Some signs that a nail salon is still using MMA might be prices that are significantly lower than most other nail salons. There will be an unusually strong and fruity odor. Also, the manicurist will often be wearing a mask to keep from breathing in the harmful chemical. Removal is much more difficult, and drills are more excessively used. Ethyl methacrylate is the safer alternative for MMA, but it costs several times as much and can still produce many effects.


See also

* Fingerpick, placed on fingers to play stringed instruments


Further reading

* Chase, Deborah. The New Medically Based No-Nonsense Beauty Book. Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1989. * Schoon, Douglas D. Nail Structure and Product Chemistry. Milady Publishing, 1996. * Symington, Jan. Australian nail technology. Tertiary Press, 2006. * Anthony, Elizabeth. "ABC's of Acrylics," NailPro Magazine, October 1994. * Hamacker, Amy. "Dental Adhesives for Nails," NailPro Magazine, June 1994.


References

{{Authority control Nail care Artificial objects