How to Care for Porcelain Nails
Porcelain nails are false nails made of fiberglass, a very fragile material that requires a costly installation and aftercare, so we recommend that you go to your beauty salon to have them applied by a professional instead of trying to do it yourself. They are one of the best options for those of us who constantly bite our nails. The same goes if your nails are weak and flimsy or if you like polishes that damage your nails and last for a very short time.
Porcelain nails are a very good choice to keep your manicure on point - but you have to know how to maintain them, since they are glued to your natural nail. Here at OneHowTo we'll give you the best tips on how to care for your porcelain nails.
Steps to follow:
The first thing you have to do is try to always keep your nails dry to prevent them from breaking away from your natural nails. It is not recommended that you have prolonged contact with water, so after wetting them in the shower or washing your hands, you have to dry them thoroughly with a towel.
Take your time with this step, since it will make all the difference in maintaining this delicate material for a long time. Remember to do it every time you wet your hands, which will surely be many times a day. Pay particular attention to the edges and the area beneath the tips, where water can linger.
We also advise you to use gloves when washing the dishes. This is a good way to avoid getting the porcelain nails wet every time you have to scrub. Choose gloves that fit well and replace them if they tear, so water and cleaning products do not reach your nails.
Apply some talcum powder on your hands. Talcum is a good desiccant to prevent moisture. Once you have dried your hands, apply a bit of talcum powder surrounding the porcelain nails so they look amazing afterwards.
Every time you wash your hands, do it with antibacterial soap to prevent your nails from becoming infected or from suffering any damage or deterioration. If you do it with mild soap, apply antibacterial gel afterwards, using a kind that you don't have to rinse off. Dry your hands carefully after every wash, including the skin around the nails, to keep the area clean and comfortable.
If your porcelain nails get damaged or you develop an infection, do not wait. Act as soon as possible and go to the beauty salon. Always follow carefully the instructions they give you. If the infection gets worse, go see a doctor. They will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
If you break a piece of the nail, do not ignore it. In order to take good care of your porcelain nails they must be perfectly positioned. A partially broken nail is susceptible to break completely. Go to the beauty salon where you had them applied and have them fixed as soon as possible. Avoid gluing or reshaping the damaged section yourself, since this can weaken the bond or harm your natural nail.
To keep your nails at their best we recommend that you have them fixed often. That way, they will always look perfect, more beautiful and better maintained. Remember that nails grow quite fast, and it is advisable to fill in the gaps every two weeks. A professional can check for lifting during these visits and repair it before it spreads.
You can paint your nails whenever you want, but remember that when you remove the polish, do so with nail polish remover without acetone, since this beauty product can damage your nails. Avoid scraping off the polish, too, because this can scratch the surface or loosen the artificial nail.
In the following OneHowTo article we explain different methods with which you can remove nail polish without acetone. Discover them now and find the one that is safe for your porcelain nails.
Besides the color, you can also apply transparent enamel to give more shine to your nails and so that they will last much longer. As always, it is important that you set aside enough time to ensure that it all dries properly. Applying thin coats instead of one thick layer can help the polish dry evenly and reduce smudges.
Pay close attention to the skin around the nail. If you notice dryness, redness or flaking, it may be because your nails will not tolerate these artificial nail products and you should not use them again.
Moisturize your nails with neutral oil once or twice a day to keep them flexible, since once they harden nails tend to break more easily.
Fiberglass porcelain nails cost around 50 dollars, but having them filled in will be cheaper. To remove them, use a special product to make them fall apart. Porcelain or acrylic nails can last a total of six months, without forgetting that you might need touch-ups every 15 days. Never pull or pry them off, as this can tear or weaken your natural nails.
If you care for them properly, you will always have perfect hands. They will look healthy and well cared for - they really are a great choice!
If you want to read similar articles to How to Care for Porcelain Nails, we recommend you visit our Beauty & Personal Care category.
- Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage (American Academy of Dermatology)
