Acrylic nails are a popular way to add glamour to your natural nails, but what happens when you have a missing nail? Can you still get an acrylic nail on that finger? Yes, you can apply acrylic nails to missing fingernails. But there are a few things to consider before making the decision. You can follow a lot of factors to consider, from the strength to the durability of the acrylic nail to the risks of infection or further damage.
Read on to explore the pros and cons of putting an acrylic nail on a missing fingernail.
What Are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are artificially sculpted and applied to the natural nail using a special liquid or powder. The acrylic is applied over the nail and hardened using UV light or a special dehydrator. The acrylic adds length and strength to the natural nail and can be removed after a certain time, usually two or three weeks. Acrylic nails are typically applied over the entire nail, but they can also be applied over a missing fingernail.
Acrylic nails are a good option if the natural nail beneath the tip of your finger is too short or damaged to apply a traditional acrylic nail.
How to Safely Apply an Acrylic Nail?
If you decide to put an acrylic nail on a missing fingernail, it is important to do it safely. Clean and prep your natural nails properly before applying the acrylic nails.
First, ensure you have all the supplies you need before starting, including nail polish, acetone, and a file. You can use acetone or polish remover to clean your nails and a nail brush to get the dirt and oils off your nails.
Second, be patient while applying your nails. Acrylic nails take time to dry, so don’t rush them. Wait about five minutes for the acetone or polish remover to work its magic, then file away any rough edges.
How to Care for Your Acrylic Nail?
- You should regularly clean and polish your acrylic nail, just like you would clean and polish your natural nails. You can use the same products you use to clean your natural nails to clean your acrylic nail.
- Make sure to clean your acrylic nail at least once a week to keep them looking nice and prevent bacterial or fungal growth. It would help if you also considered investing in a cuticle trimmer or cuticle nipper to properly maintain and manage the cuticle around the acrylic nail.
- Regularly trimming and grooming your cuticle around the acrylic nail will help prevent it from growing into the acrylic nail and creating a huge mess.
Pros of Putting an Acrylic Nail on a Missing Fingernail
- The acrylic nail can be applied over the finger’s entire length, adding length and a more dramatic appearance than a traditional acrylic nail.
- The acrylic nail can be applied to a short or damaged natural nail, giving it more time to grow out so you can apply it again.
- You can use this opportunity to try a new nail shape or colour you might not have chosen for your natural nails.
- You can wear the acrylic nail with false tips, nail art, or other decorations.
- They can be removed at any time, leaving your natural nail undamaged.
Cons of Putting an Acrylic Nail on a Missing Fingernail
- Putting an acrylic nail on a missing fingernail will add length to your finger, but it will not add any strength to your natural nail. As a result, consider removing the acrylic nail earlier than you would a traditional acrylic nail.
- You will need to take special care of your other nails while the acrylic nail is on the missing nail finger, but this can also be a benefit as it may help you take better care of your other nails.
- If you leave the acrylic nail on for a long time, the added length can cause the nail to overgrow and become embedded in the finger tissue.
- The acrylic nail can also cause the finger to shrink, making the nail even longer as your finger grows shorter.
- Putting an acrylic nail on a missing fingernail will increase the amount of time your finger is exposed to bacteria. It is important to take special care to keep the area clean and prevent infection.
- The acrylic nail can also cause damage to the tissue beneath it, depending on its size, shape, and placement.
Importance of Proper Care and Maintenance
It is important to clean the area thoroughly and apply a moisturizing cream to keep the skin from drying out and cracking.
You can also apply vitamin E oil to help protect the skin and promote healthy nail growth.
Consider applying an anti-fungal cream to the surrounding skin, which will help protect against any potential infections.