Getting acrylic nails can make your natural nails look longer, stronger, and more fabulous. But constantly wearing acrylics can also damage your natural nails over time. Here’s what you need to know about giving your nails a break from acrylic manicures.
How often should you take a break from acrylic nails?
Most manicurists recommend taking at least a 2 week break from acrylic nails every 2-3 months. This gives your natural nails time to recover and breathe between acrylic sets. Some experts even suggest taking a 1 month long break every 3-4 months.
During your break, remove the acrylic nails and avoid using any nail enhancements like tips, gel polish, or dip powders. Let your natural nails grow out and repair themselves. You can give them some TLC with moisturizing creams and oils to hydrate the nails and cuticles.
What are the benefits of giving your nails a break?
Here are some of the top reasons to take acrylic nail breaks:
- Allow nails to rehydrate – Acrylic nails prevent moisture from reaching the natural nails. A break lets them absorb water and oils again.
- Repair damage – Breakage, peeling, and cracking are common with constant acrylic use. A break gives nails time to heal.
- Improve nail health – Nails and cuticles become stronger when they can breathe minus enhancements.
- Reset nail beds – The nail plate and matrix get a reset which helps nails grow back better.
- Prevent infection – Acrylics trap bacteria under them raising infection risks. A break minimizes risks.
- Avoid overfiling – Heavy filing to prep nails for fills weakens nails over time. Taking a break reduces filing needs.
Overall, taking occasional breaks can help minimize the potential damages of ongoing acrylic use. Your natural nails will thank you for the rest!
What problems can occur without proper acrylic breaks?
If you get acrylic nails constantly without giving your natural nails a chance to recover, several unfavorable things can occur:
- Weak, peeling nails
- Cracking and chipping
- Brittle, dry nails
- Discoloration and yellowing
- Ridges or grooves in nails
- Difficulty growing nails
- Ingrown cuticles
- Nail plate separation (onycholysis)
- Increased risk of bacterial infections
Damaged nails may also start turning green under the acrylic. This is caused by a buildup of the chemical monomer used in acrylic powders. Frequent breaks help avoid these problems.
How long should you wait between acrylic sets?
As a general rule, wait at least as long as you wore the acrylics before getting a new set. So if you had acrylics for 3 weeks, give your nails 3 weeks off too. Longer is even better for letting nails recover.
Here are some suggested wait times between acrylic sets:
| If you wore acrylics for: | Wait at least this long before reapplying: |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
| 4 weeks | 1 month |
| 2 months | 2 months |
| 3 months | 3 months |
Some nails may need even longer to recover if they are very damaged from acrylics. Listen to what your nails are telling you.
What can you do during an acrylic break?
Don’t just leave your nails bare during your break. Take proactive steps to nourish and strengthen nails, such as:
- Moisturize nails daily with oils, creams, or cuticle oils
- Use a strengthening treatment 1-2x a week
- File nails gently into a flattering shape
- Take biotin supplements to support keratin production
- Use a nail hardener polish for weak nails
- Avoid excessive water exposure
- Limit use of nail polish remover
You can also opt for nail polish or shorter term enhancements like dip powder or gel polish which require less filing and damage than acrylics. Just don’t overdo these either.
How can you prevent nail damage from acrylics?
While acrylic nails do pose some risks to the health of your natural nails, you can take steps to prevent excessive damage:
- Take regular breaks as discussed above
- Have nails done by an experienced professional
- Avoid overly long or heavy extensions
- Request gentle filing and prep methods
- Use nail oil daily under and around acrylics
- Fill acrylics promptly to avoid lifting and moisture getting underneath
- Remove acrylics safely using soak-off gel
- Get a new acrylic set only when nails have fully recovered
It also helps to give your cuticles and skin around the nails some TLC too with moisturizing creams. Don’t cut cuticles or overpush them back.
What about tips and wraps?
Acrylic nails are not the only option for enhancements. Nail tips and wraps can extend your nails in a less damaging way. Here is how they compare:
Nail Tips
- Thin fiberglass or plastic forms glued over natural nails
- Require less filing and prep than acrylics
- Can help weak nails grow
- Lower infection risk than acrylics
- Still require some glue filing which can damage nails
- May not last as long as acrylics
Nail Wraps
- Fabric or silk strips applied with adhesive
- Very natural looking
- Breathable for nails
- Easy to apply and remove
- File natural nails lightly first
- Won’t last as long as acrylics or tips
Talk to your manicurist about whether nail tips or wraps may be a smarter choice for you than acrylics. They let you have longer nails with less stress on the naturals.
What about DIY acrylic removal?
It can be tempting to try removing acrylic nails yourself at home to save money during a break. However, this is NOT recommended!
Improperly removing acrylics almost always damages nails. The acrylic needs to be expertly filed down and soaked off safely. Buffing or aggressively pulling off acrylics can:
- Thin and weaken nails
- Cause cracks and breaks
- Strip layers of the nail plate
- Pull up layers of skin around nails
- Cause infection by exposing nail bed to bacteria
Leave acrylic removal to the professionals! It’s worth paying your nail tech to avoid harming your nails.
Conclusion
While acrylic nails offer lengthy, polished looking fingers, giving your nails frequent breaks is crucial. Aim for a 2-4 week break every 2-3 months to allow your naturals to rebound. Use the break to nourish nails, then wait as long before reapplying acrylics. Protect nails daily under acrylics too. With proper breaks and care, you can enjoy gorgeous acrylic nails without destroying your naturals!