Secrets of using acrylic powder to strengthen nails

Acrylic powder is a product of the beauty industry that allows you to strengthen nails, build them up, and make a long-lasting manicure with any type of design. Journalists interviewed leading nail art masters and found out all the advantages of this material, its disadvantages, types, features of application.

What is this material, how is it used in nail art

Acrylic powder is a synthetic, that is, not natural material. In fact, it is a powder made from plastic, from artificial polymers. Previously, this substance included a component very harmful to the human body – methyl methacrylate. This substance contributed to the occurrence of allergic reactions, had a negative effect on the internal organs – kidneys, liver, central nervous system. In the modern production of acrylic powder, methyl methacrylate has been replaced with another component, it is of a higher quality and safer, or rather, practically harmless. This component is called ethyl methacrylate.

Acrylic powder, applied to the nail plate using a simple technology, protects the surface from negative effects, promotes strengthening and growth, helps to form the correct shape or lengthen the nails.

What are the advantages of this remedy

Acrylic powder is a modern material for nail art and manicure, which has a lot of advantages:

1. Using this material, a woman has the opportunity to have well-groomed hands. Nails, even extended ones, look as natural as possible.

2. A wide range of applications, versatility in solving a wide variety of tasks.

3. Ease of application and use. Acrylic powder can be applied in a beauty salon, in a nail bar, at home with a private master, and on your own at home.

4. The product is also removed simply, in the process the surface of the nail plate is not damaged.

5. An incredibly large selection of colors – from transparent to the most pigmented bright red and black. This makes it possible to embody any design, no matter how original it is.

6. A sufficiently porous structure that allows the nail plates to breathe under a dense polymer coating.

7. Protection of fabrics from the effects of negative environmental factors – ultraviolet rays, dirt, frost, chlorinated water and household chemicals.

8. Marigold-safe composition. The use of acrylic powder does not cause allergic reactions, chemical intoxication or other complications in 95-97% of beauty salon visitors. You can use this material for manicure for women of any age, even teenagers and pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers. However, during pregnancy and lactation, it is advisable to do acrylic manicure not on your own, but in the salon, after making sure that the master will use only high-quality material with a safe composition.

9. Optimal consistency – the powder does not spread over the surface of the nail, does not clog into the side rollers, does not flow onto the cuticle, which not only spoils the appearance, but also reduces the quality and durability of the manicure.

10. Increased strength of the material, which contributes not only to the protection of nails, but also to prolong the 'life' of the manicure. For a long time, the coating made of acrylic powder does not split, crack, exfoliate, or undergo other damage. Therefore, a woman can count on the fact that a manicure made with acrylic powder will last as long as needed, and all this time will look great.

11. If acrylic powder is used, you can always repair or correct your manicure. If the surface of the polymer coating is damaged for some reason (cracked, chipped), you can sign up for a correction and fix the defect.

12. As the marigolds grow back, corrective measures can be taken without removing the main coating layer. Thanks to this, the nails experience less stress, do not give in to unnecessary stress.

13. It is not necessary to have a special drying lamp to use acrylic powder. This distinguishes this material from shellac and gel polish, which are also used to strengthen nails and manicure.

14. Consumption of acrylic powder is quite economical. Experts say that 20 grams of powder is enough to carry out 20 to 30 nail strengthening or extension procedures. Half of this amount is enough to make 10 to 15 colored service jackets.

15. The powder is available in packages of different sizes, which is very convenient both from the economic point of view and in terms of comfort of use. Small jars are suitable for home use, while large ones are an excellent solution for salons with a large customer traffic.

16. Working with acrylic powder does not take much time. Curing, that is, polymerization of the material, is a matter of several minutes, especially if a powder with a high speed marking is used, which dries faster than others. However, you have to work with such material very quickly, it must be used by people with the appropriate qualifications.

Material disadvantages

There are not too many disadvantages of acrylic powder, but you need to know about them, deciding whether or not to use this material for manicure:

1. When working with some types of acrylic powder, a pungent, very unpleasant odor can occur, which can even be intoxicating. Therefore, this substance should be used only in a well-ventilated area, and using a medical mask. However, today such products are on sale less and less, they are actively replaced by acrylic powders with a neutral odor.

2. This substance is quite expensive, which often discourages those who want to get an acrylic-coated manicure. However, it should be borne in mind that one jar of powder is enough for a long time, especially when it comes to manicure at home.

3. You need to work with diluted acrylic powder quickly, otherwise you cannot do without the need to redo the result. The average curing time of the acrylic mass is half a minute.

4. Acrylic mass can chip off the nail plate. However, the main reason for such troubles is the inexperience or negligence of the master who did the manicure.

5. Strengthening and building nails with acrylic can take a long time – about 1.5-2 hours. The duration of the procedure depends on the qualifications of the master and the complexity of the finishing techniques. However, it should be borne in mind that the procedure is carried out quite rarely – once every few weeks, so its duration should not cause great inconvenience.

6. The nail plate can be injured during material removal. This problem also arises due to inexperience and lack of dexterity in handling abrasive tools and cutters.

Acrylic powder has no other drawbacks, so it is widely used both in beauty salons and at home, making the life of women more comfortable.

Types of acrylic material for strengthening nails and manicure

There are several types of acrylic powder, each of which finds its own use in manicure and nail care. The main types of this material are:

1. Universal sheer powder. This powder has a wide range of applications, but is mainly used to strengthen the nail plate, as well as to build (lengthen) natural marigolds. If we consider the function of transparent acrylic powder in decorative manicure, then it is great for performing the French technique. A variety of pigments can be added to the transparent mass, giving it the desired shade, varying the color saturation. Additives such as glitter, rhinestones and other decorative elements can also be used. The finish of the transparent powder can be either glossy or matte.

2. Camouflage acrylic powder, usually a nude, close to natural shade. It is used mainly to hide aesthetic defects, irregularities, damage to the structure of the nail plates. This material is slightly denser than transparent powder. But it is distinguished by excellent plasticity, pliability, flexibility. This allows you to effectively strengthen the most weakened nail plates.

3. Colored product – used to strengthen nails and at the same time for design and decoration.

4. Neon Powder – Used for decorative festive nail polish.

5. Preparation for finishing coating. This material is used in order to give the manicure a complete look, to achieve the desired aesthetic effect, to give the coating a shine and gloss. Such a powder is well modeled, it is easy and pleasant to work with it, it lends itself well to processing with professional tools.

Indications for use

Acrylic powder helps to solve many problems with the condition of the nail plates:

1. Thin, brittle marigolds.

2. Unevenness of the nail plate, the presence of tubercles or other defects.

3. Changes in nail color, the appearance of partial pigmentation, spots.

4. Nails do not hold well any decorative coating, including a resistant one, like shellac.

5. Also, acrylic powder can be used on healthy nails for the purpose of performing nail art of any degree of complexity.

Contraindications for the use of acrylic powder

There are no particular contraindications to the use of this material. Exceptions are cases of individual intolerance to the composition of the drug, as well as the presence of diseases of the nail plates, for example, a fungus.

What you need to use acrylic powder

Working with the drug, like with any other material for nail art, requires a certain set of tools. If you want to use the substance at home, you can buy a ready-made kit or purchase what is listed below separately.

A set of necessary tools and materials for working with acrylic powder:

1. The type of powder you need.

2. The liquid to be diluted with acrylic powder. It is called liquid and is a monomer containing plasticizers. The liquid does not change the original shade of the substance.

3. Primer and bonder for nails. The use of a primer will make it possible to obtain a permanent coating, as well as eliminate microorganisms living on the nails, and prevent the development of fungal infections of the nail plates. The primer can be acidic or acid-free. The first is suitable if a woman's hands often sweat. It has drying properties. The second is used if the condition of the nails is poor. It optimizes the structure of thin and sensitive nail plates. Bonder will create a roughening surface that will promote better adhesion of the materials.

4. A special brush that has a flat shape.

5. Forms for nail extension (if you plan to carry out such procedures).

6. Special files, buffs that will be used as a material for grinding.

7. A liquid that can be used to degrease the nail plates, prepare them in this way for applying acrylic powder. If you do not use a degreaser, the adhesion (adhesion) of the material to the nail surface will not be of sufficient quality.

8. It is important to buy all the tools and materials exclusively from official retail outlets and trusted sites. Otherwise, you can easily get a counterfeit, expired, just low-quality product that will not give the desired effect and can be harmful to health.

How to use acrylic powder to strengthen nails

To simply strengthen the nails without significantly changing the shape and size of the plates, you need to act in the following sequence:

1. The day before the procedure, you need to do a regular hygienic manicure. That is, wash your hands, trim the length of the nails, correct the shape with a brush, cut off the cuticle and keratinized tissue on the sides of the marigolds. Do not forget to disinfect the instruments beforehand.

2. Degrease the surface with a special liquid or regular alcohol.

3. Apply a primer that will help make your nails last longer.

4. Apply a base, you can use the one that is used in combination with gel polish.

5. Take a piece of paper, place your fingers over it. Using a small spatula, scoop up the powder and sprinkle it over the damp base coat. Dry this layer with an LED or UV lamp. Pour the rest of the crumbling powder back into the jar. The procedure can be carried out directly above the container with powder, then you do not have to pour the powder.

6. If necessary, if the nails are very weak and brittle, you can make not one, but several layers of acrylic powder. After that, the surface is sanded, a final pigmented coating is applied to it.

7. The second, simpler way to strengthen nails without using a drying lamp is to apply an acrylic mass (powder diluted with liquid) to the prepared surface, carefully level it, and give the mass the desired shape. Then, when the substance hardens, polish it and cover with a finish.

8. It is not necessary to apply the material over the entire surface to strengthen nails. In some cases, it is possible to apply the preparation only to the free edge and side edges. This way you can save powder and protect your nails if they tend to break constantly.

How to use this nail extension

Acrylic powder can be used for building, while additional strengthening of the nail plates will occur. However, there may be some difficulty in the build-up process. The fact is that this material loses its plasticity in air, that is, it dries up, which complicates all the manipulations. Therefore, experts strongly recommend that before carrying out the first extension, you need to practice on the layout and get the necessary experience, get your hands on it.

The sequence of actions for nail extension with acrylic powder:

1. Wash your hands and do a regular hygienic manicure as described above (one day before building up).

2. Degrease the nail plates, let dry.

3. Apply nail primer and air dry.

4. Apply a bonder (a preparation used to bond natural marigold and artificial material), dry this layer with a drying lamp.

5. Pour some of the liquid used to dissolve the acrylic powder into a small container. You can use a glass.

6. Fix the nail extension molds in the correct position.

7. Dip the tip of the brush into the liquid and then into the jar of powder to draw in a small amount.

8. Apply the mixture quickly to the surface of the nail, use a brush to spread the substance evenly, including over the fixed extension form. All movements should be clear, since the time for correction is limited, the acrylic mixture begins to thicken and harden.

9. As soon as the extension procedure is over, the forms must be carefully removed and the nails brought to the desired appearance with the help of files and buffs. You can remove extended nails from acrylic powder by cutting.

Possible options for removing acrylic manicure

If the nails are extended, the preferred way to return them to their original condition is to file them off. To do this, you can use ordinary abrasive files or resort to cutting on a special device.

If you used acrylic powder as a coating that strengthens your nails, then you can remove it with a more shrinking method – soaking it with a special solvent. You can first cut off a thin layer of the coating so that the solvent acts faster. Then you need to act in this way:

1. Take five cotton pads, cut each in half.

2. Saturate the discs with a special acrylic dissolving liquid (you can buy it in the same place where the powder was purchased).

3. Apply half of the disc to each nail, making sure that the cotton wool soaked in liquid does not come into contact with the skin of the fingers.

4. Fix the discs with pieces of regular foil. Or use special nail tips for this purpose. Wait 10-20 minutes.

5. Remove one disc, treat the nail with a soft orange stick, removing the rest of the product from the plate. Only after that can you start cleaning the second nail and all the following. Those nails that are awaiting treatment should be under the disc and foil (tip).

6. After the procedure for removing the acrylic layer is over, you need to wash your hands, apply a regenerating agent to the cuticles and nails.

Is it possible to extend the life of acrylic powder

Using acrylic powder to strengthen, build or design and decorate your nails is not cheap. Even if you carry out the procedure yourself, without going to a beauty salon. And the cost of the services of a good specialist is even more. Therefore, women who often use acrylic powder for manicure begin to wonder if it is possible to somehow extend the time during which this protective and decorative material stays on the surface of the nails. Indeed, gentle handling and neatness can make the coating last much longer. What can be done:

1. Try not to expose your nails to any chemical or natural but aggressive substances. Always use heavy rubber gloves if you wash the floor, dishes, or hand wash.

2. Do not expose the nail plates to mechanical stress. This means you don't need to use your nails as a scratching tool or other similar purpose.

3. Do not expose the nail plates to sudden temperature changes. For example, hands that have been in hot water should not be immersed in ice water, otherwise the acrylic coating may crack.

By following these simple guidelines, you don't have to worry about cracking or tarnishing your acrylic manicure.

What is better to buy – the original or analogues

Manicurists and nail art experts recommend, if you have the financial opportunity, to buy products from well-known brands and in proven stores. The products of such companies as Kodi, Irisk Professional, TNL, InGarden, RuNail, INM, EzFlow Nail Systems, CND will not harm your health and will allow you to get a high-quality lasting result.

However, the goods of these brands can be too expensive, not all women can allocate the appropriate amounts from the family budget to spend them 'on marigolds'. In this case, you can consider purchasing an analogue of the original acrylic powder. Such a drug can be ordered from a Chinese or Korean website. And even find options with free shipping, saving on this point. However, making such a purchase, you risk buying not just a cheaper fake, but a product that can harm your nails and the body as a whole. The fact is that in China, Korea, dangerous methyl methacrylate is still used in the production of cosmetics. It is not prohibited in these countries. As a result, saving on the purchase of powder, you will get an unpredictable effect and the risk of intoxication.

How to check the quality of a product if you doubt its safety:

1. Carefully read the information on the package, if it is written in a foreign language, you can use, for example, a google translator. Make sure that the composition is free of harmful substances and especially methyl methacrylate.

2. Evaluate what acrylic powder smells like, there should be no pronounced chemical smell.

3. Experiment with the layout before using the material on your fingers. The substance should not spread and create nodules, bumps. At the slightest doubt, it is better to refuse to use such a product.

4. Nevertheless, it is better to use the original products of the listed companies. In the assortment of modern online cosmetics stores, you can find quite acceptable offers in different price categories – from 200 to 1000 rubles for a bottle weighing 15-40 grams.

User reviews of acrylic powder

Acrylic powder and the appropriateness of its use for strengthening nails is one of the most discussed topics in the field of nail art. This drug receives a lot of reviews, mostly contradictory and ambiguous. Admirers of acrylic, as well as masters who prefer to work with this particular material, argue that the nail plates are well protected, acrylic-based manicure holds well, extended nails have natural flexibility and at the same time increased strength. Additional positive feedback arises regarding the fact that the manicure can be corrected without completely removing the previously applied material.

Negative comments mainly concern the following points:

1. Pathogenic microorganisms multiply under a dense cover, there is a high probability of infection with a fungal disease.

2. The acrylic material strengthens the nails, but in the process of removing it, which is carried out by rather aggressive methods, the tissues are damaged and they need some time to rest and recover. Therefore, after removing the resistant coating for a couple of weeks, you cannot do a new manicure or wear long nails.

3. Acrylic powder is often counterfeited as the product is very popular. In addition, if a manicure is performed in a salon or nail bar, it is not always possible to control the quality and safety of the materials used.

As you can see, both fans and defenders of this material have significant arguments in defense of their opinion. You just have to weigh the pros and cons, and, in case of a positive decision, experiment with this substance at home or sign up for a procedure in a beauty salon.

---