False nails can be a great way to add a touch of glamour and style to your look, but they can also come with some unintended consequences.
If you’ve ever experienced green nails after removing your false nails, then you understand the frustration it causes.
In this article, I’ll share how to get rid of green nails after false nails, and what steps you should take to avoid this issue in the future.
How Damaging Are Acrylic Nails On Your Natural Nails?
Acrylic nails can be damaging to your natural nails if not prepared or taken care of properly.
The nail plate is made up of layers of proteins, including keratin, and it’s this layer that makes our nails strong.
When you wear acrylic nails, it is important to have them applied by a professional who understands the process and how to treat your nail beds.
Acrylics should never be applied directly onto your natural nails as this will cause damage to the nail plate such as lifting and weakening, as well as potentially causing an infection.
It is also important to get regular fills every two weeks so that any possible lifting at the cuticle area can be fixed before any further damage occurs.
Without proper aftercare, acrylics can leave behind yellow staining when the product wears off, which indicates severe dehydration has taken place underneath the acrylic layer.
Which could potentially lead to fungus in extreme cases if left untreated for a long period of time.
To keep your nails healthy during application and removal, ensure you are using products that are specifically designed for use with artificial nails/acrylics only.
Other over-the counter brands may contain chemicals that are too harsh for use on artificial surfaces such as acrylics or gels.
If you do want to get fake nails, make sure you invest in quality products from reputable suppliers and take good care of your hands throughout the duration of wearing them.
Moisturize regularly and allow adequate rest time between applications so that both your natural nails and their overlay can heal before being manipulated again.
What Is Green Nail Syndrome?
Green Nail Syndrome is a condition of the nails caused by a bacterial infection.
It is usually caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa, but other types of bacteria may also be behind this condition.
The nails turn green in color and thicken, causing pain in the affected area. Other symptoms include yellowing or discoloration of the surrounding skin, bad odors or drainage, tenderness, itching, and rarely even ulceration under the toenail.
If left untreated for too long, it can lead to permanent damage to both the nail and underlying tissue.
Treatment typically involves oral antibiotics that kill off the bacteria, as well as topical creams that help reduce any inflammation and promote healing.
Some home remedies may also help speed up recovery, such as soaking feet in warm water with salt or baking soda added to it.
However, these should not be used without consulting a healthcare professional first.
What Are The Symptoms Of Green Nails?
Green nails, also known as green nail syndrome, is a condition of the nails which causes them to turn a greenish color.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infection, it typically is caused by one and should be taken seriously.
The most likely culprit of green nails is a fungal infection. This type of infection can occur when water gets trapped beneath the nail.
Usually after getting a manicure or while swimming in contaminated pools or hot tubs.
Bacteria and fungi can quickly spread throughout these warm and moist environments, causing your nail bed to become infected with fungus.
The symptoms of green nails vary depending on the severity, but often include discoloration (most commonly turning a greenish hue) as well as thickening and deformation of the nail plate.
The affected area may also be tender or painful when touched or scratched lightly.
There may even be signs of debris collecting under the center of your fingernail plate caused by weakened cuticles, which allow bacteria to enter and feed on skin oils.
Anti-fungal treatments like creams and gels available over-the-counter might prove beneficial in helping keep patients safe from further infections spreading throughout their bodies due to untreated Green Nails Syndrome.
What Causes Green Nails?
Green nails is a common issue that can develop when wearing fake nails, that leave your nails green.
Fake nails, also known as acrylic or press-on nails, are artificial enhancements to the real nail and are generally made of plastic or fiberglass materials.
Acrylic nails provide an aesthetically pleasing look by covering up the real nail.
However, they can lead to various problems, such as the green color around the nails.
The cause of this discoloration is usually due to an infection underneath the acrylics, which causes a buildup of fungi.
This fungus, called green fungus under acrylic nails, thrives in moist environments created by sweat from your hands and feet.
Combined with debris from the fake nail adhesives and glues, consequently leading to discolorations.
The UV light emitted from nail lamps used for curing gel polish may be another potential trigger for causing these dark green nail infections as well.
It’s important to keep your skin clean when applying fake nails, as dirt and bacteria may get trapped between them and your natural nail beds, promoting a breeding ground for germs and parasites.
If you notice any discoloration forming on or around your real nail bed, then you should immediately consult a medical professional.
So that a correct diagnosis can be reached to treat any possible underlying infection present with the right antibiotics regimen if necessary.
It’s important not to apply additional polish onto green colored areas until all traces of infection have been eliminated; otherwise, symptoms could resurface again in time.
How To Prevent Green Nails After Fake Nails?
To prevent green nails after fake nails, it is important to keep your nails clean and properly disinfected.
When visiting the nail salon for manicures or other treatments, make sure that all tools are thoroughly sterilized with an autoclave to prevent any bacterial growth.
This includes clippers, emery boards and drills used for filing. It is also important to use a disposable buffer on each client’s nails, as this helps reduce the risk of transferable infections.
Avoid swimming and hot tubs as bacteria can thrive in these environments and lead to pseudomonas nail infection.
Properly cared-for artificial nails will help eliminate the possibility of green-stained nails due to pseudomonas bacteria infection.
If a person suspects they have an infected nail, then they should contact their doctor immediately.
Keep up with regular salon visits as well – proper care performed by a trained professional can help diagnose any issues early before they become severe.
Be mindful when washing dishes or doing activities like cleaning around the house that might cause injury or damage to your artificial fingernails.
Be especially careful if gardening or working with soil, as this can increase chances of contamination which could lead to infected nails and thus green discoloration (which is caused by pseudomonas).
In conclusion, there are plenty of steps you can take to avoid getting green stains on your fake nails, including;
- avoiding wet places such as swimming pools
- using autoclaves at salons which will thoroughly disinfect any tools being used on you
- avoiding activities that may damage your exposed nail
- regularly monitoring them; and seeking medical attention right away if suspicious signs appear like redness or swelling accompanied by pain near the fingernail area
Following these tips will ensure you have healthy looking artificial fingernails without worrying about green stains from pseudomonas infections.
How to Get Rid of Green Nails After False Nails
Getting rid of green spots on your nails after false nails can be a tricky process, but it doesn’t have to be.
The first step is to use a nail file to gently remove the acrylic or any other gel residue from your natural nails.
Carefully scrub off all of the extra glue, and buff away any remnants that may still be stuck on your nails.
Once this is finished, you will want to soak your nails in warm water for fifteen minutes to soften them and make it easier for you to clip away all of the hard edges.
If possible, add some white vinegar into the water as well; this will help kill off any bacteria that has been growing on the surface of your nails.
Give your nails one more gentle brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush before removing them from the water and drying them off completely with a towel.
To help prevent further discoloration and infection, apply some moisturizer onto each of your fingernails and massage it into the skin around them as well until they is fully absorbed into the nail bed.
Doing this regularly should help keep your false nail colors looking vibrant and healthy.
Finally, if you cannot get rid of green undertones or staining on your finger tips even after repeating these steps several times.
Then consider taking a break from artificial nail products altogether or using less harsh options such as natural wraps or non-toxic glues instead.
How To Treat Green Nails So You Can Use Nail Polish
One of the most common causes of green nails is a type of fungus, but green nails can also be caused by wearing certain types of fake nails.
To treat green nails, start by cleaning them thoroughly, cleaning the nails with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball or Q-tip.
This will help remove any bacteria that could be causing the discoloration.
If your nails are particularly light green, you may need to apply a few more applications of rubbing alcohol between cleanings until the color fades away.
Once the nail has been cleaned, dry it with an absorbent towel and make sure not to put it back on wet skin as this can worsen the discoloration.
Once sure your nails dry, you should then apply nail polish to cover up any lingering hints of discoloration.
Avoid soaking your nails in water for long periods, as this can cause more damage and increase the chances for infection.
If you have previously worn fake nails, try avoiding their use in the future, as they often contain ingredients that may lead to discoloration later on.
With proper care and attention paid to your nails now available, the green color should fade away in time.
Be sure to keep them clean by washing them regularly with hot soapy water, and avoid exposing them excessively to harsh chemicals such as bleach or acetone-based nail polishes that can further aggravate the problem.
False nails can be a great way to add a touch of glamour and style to your look, but they can also come with some unintended consequences, such as green nails.
Green nails are caused by a bacterial infection and should be treated promptly with antibiotics or topical creams.
To prevent green nails in the future, make sure that you take proper care of your hands when applying and removing false nails.
Use autoclaves at salons, avoid swimming pools, and keep up with regular salon visits.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.