Artificial nails, also called false nails, fashion nails, acrylic nails, nail extensions or nail enhancements, are extensions placed on the nails as fashion accessories. Some artificial nails designs try to mimic the look of natural nails as closely as possible, while others may deliberately deviate in favour of an artistic eye.
Unlike most manicures, artificial nails require regular maintenance; it is recommended to take care of them, on average, every two weeks, but they can last up to about a month. manicure.
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Types of Artificial Nails
Artificial nails are an extension, not a replacement, for natural nails. There are two main approaches to creating fake nails: tips and shapes: tips are lightweight “nail”-shaped plastic plates glued to the end of the natural nail; forms are shaped sheets with an adhesive edge that effectively wraps around the entire nail.
On top of these, acrylic, hard gel, or any combination can be applied. Tips are available in many designs, from solid colours like gel or regular nail polish to graphic designs like animal prints and metallic colours. Artificial nails can be shaped, cut and filed into various shapes, including square, square, oval/”square”, rounded, almond, ballerina/coffin and stiletto.
Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are made of acrylic glass (PMMA). When mixed with a liquid monomer (ethyl methacrylate combined with an inhibitor), it forms a malleable pearl. This mixture begins to harden immediately until it completely solidifies in minutes. Acrylic nails can last up to 21 days but longer with touch-ups. To colour acrylic nails, gel polish, nail polish, and dipping powders can be applied.
Gel Nails
Gel nails can used to create artificial nail extensions but can also use as nail polish. They are cured with ultraviolet light, last longer than ordinary nail polishes and do not chip, and they have a glossy finish and last two to three weeks.
Gel nails are firm but not as strong as acrylic or fibreglass nails, and they tend to be more expensive. Acetone does not dissolve some types of gel nails, so they must be removed at a salon by polishing. Recurrent buffing can lead to thinning of the nail plate.
Around 2017 a new gel nail extension was created, commonly known as Gel-X. It is a pre-cut soft gel nail tip in various styles and lengths that covers the entire nail bed to the end of the nail. Gel-X is bent by first applying a PH (dehydrating) adhesive followed by an acid-free gel base. Finally, it is glued with an adhesive gel cured with UV/LED blue light. Gel-X nail removal process dissolves in acetone for 20 minutes.
Nail Wraps
Nail wraps are shaped by cutting pieces of fibreglass, linen, silk cloth, or other material to fit the nail surface (or a pre-bonded tip) and seal the nail surface with a resin layer. Or glue. They do not damage the nail and give strength to the pin but are not used to lengthen it. It can also be used to repair broken nails. However, the treatment is more expensive. Also nail wraps can last 5-14 days, and additions can affect how long nail wraps last.
Nail Tips
Nail tips are made of a rigid, flexible material called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The nail tips are attached to the natural nail to extend its length and make room for more nail designs. They can come in different shapes, sizes, and colours, but the most popular ones are usually clear or white. Also, they only last 7-10 days.
Dip Powder
The powder dip method applies a clear liquid to the nail, and then the pin is dipped into a pigmented powder. [citation needed] Dipped nails last about a month, 2-3 weeks longer than gel and acrylic nails. It can use on natural nails or sharp claws, or you can create artificial nails. Dip powder nails do not require UV/LED light to cure.
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