Breaking an acrylic nail can be one of the most frustrating and inconvenient beauty disasters. If you’re dealing with a broken acrylic nail, it’s important to stay calm and assess your options. This blog will provide some helpful tips and advice on what you should do if you have a broken acrylic nail.
From quick fixes that can help make your nail look as good as new again, to more permanent solutions for those looking to completely replace their acrylics, this blog post has got you covered.
What Are The Causes of Broken Acrylic Nails?
Broken acrylic nails are one of the most frustrating beauty woes, and they can be incredibly difficult to repair, and you want to remove them or repair them before they snag anything, and make things worse.
There are several common causes of broken acrylic nails, including improper application, incorrect nail preparation, and incorrect nail removal techniques. Let’s explore each of these causes in more detail and examine how they can be avoided or remedied.
Improper Application
One of the leading causes of broken acrylic nails is improper application of the acrylic mix. If the mix is not applied correctly, the acrylic can be too thick and not spread evenly across your nail beds, leading to breakage.
If not enough monomer liquid is used to properly adhere the acrylic powder to your nails, there won’t be enough flexibility for the nail to withstand normal day-to-day activities, and it can easily crack or break.
If you choose to apply acrylic nails yourself, it’s important to make sure you’re learning from a professional source and following all instructions accurately.
Incorrect Nail Preparation
Before you apply any acrylic mix, it’s important to prepare your nails correctly by filing away any rough spots or hangnails and trimming any excess skin around the nail bed.
Failing to do this properly can weaken your nails and cause them to break easily under pressure or when subjected to any kind of strong force.
Incorrect Nail Removal Technique
Many people don’t realize that the way you remove your acrylic nails can also affect the condition of your natural nails. If you attempt to remove acrylic nails with harsh chemicals, such as acetone, or with a paperclip or other sharp object, you run the risk of damaging your nails and causing them to break.
The best way to remove acrylic nails is with a professional nail set that includes a cuticle pusher and manicure scissors, both of which will help you remove the tips safely without causing any damage.
How To Prevent Broken Nails Whilst Wearing Acrylics?
Broken nails are an all too familiar occurrence for wearers of acrylics, but learning how to prevent them is a necessary step in maintaining clear and beautiful nails.
You should select quality products when getting your acrylics applied, as poor quality materials will not provide the necessary protection from everyday bumps and knocks that can cause damage.
Taking care not to use your nails as tools is essential; avoid long exposure to water or excessive cleaning chemicals, which can weaken the adhesive; and limit your activities that involve putting stress on the nail beds.
When removing your acrylics or refilling them, seek professional help if possible rather than attempting it yourself because improper removal can result in severe damage to the nails.
Make sure to moisturize your cuticles regularly with lotion or oil; this will help protect them from becoming brittle and prone to breakage due to dryness.
Invest in a good nail strengthener, which will give extra durability against chips and breaks; there are many available online, so find one that best suits your needs.
Will A Broken Acrylic Nail Damage Your Natural Nail Underneath?
Broken acrylic nails can damage the natural nail underneath if not taken care of properly. If a nail breaks off, it can tear away layers of the natural nail with it, leading to greater damage.
On top of physical tears and scrapes, broken acrylic nails also can introduce bacteria into the root of the natural nail, leading to infection.
This is especially common when filing off an acrylic tip that has been removed from a damaged or broken area on the artificial nail surface. The bits and pieces left behind may contain toxins and microscopic organisms that are detrimental to healthy nails and hand hygiene.
To minimize any potential damage to your natural nails due to a broken acrylic one, there are several steps you should take as soon as possible.
First and foremost – don’t pick at it! Picking will only cause more stress on your fragile finger tips and layering more debris onto your skin and cuticles. Instead, use clippers or gentle scissors to trim around your broken nail so that any sharp edges are dulled down.
Once this is done, file down whatever remains until there isn’t any noticeable residue remaining, in order to prevent further tearing or scraping away of healthy layers of your own nail bed tissue beneath the fake layer above it.
You should use disinfectant cleaning products such as alcohol-based wipes or antiseptic sprays before applying new polish on a newly cleaned surface – both for aesthetic purposes and health ones.
Consider applying vitamin E oil to strengthen weak areas where breakage may have occurred; this will help protect against future fragility issues due to consistent exposure from chemicals found in most polishes used today.
How Does A Broken Acrylic Nail Affect Your Nail Bed?
When a person breaks an acrylic nail, it can be more than just uncomfortable; the broken piece can actually cause physical damage to our natural nails.
Acrylic nails which are poorly applied, or frequently brushed against surfaces without protection can easily chip away; particularly around the edges, leaving behind jagged pieces that can catch onto the nail bed and rip away layers of skin.
When we try to remove these pieces from our nails ourselves rather than heading to the salon for help, we run the risk of further damage by introducing tools and harsh chemicals in an attempt to make them easier to take off.
This kind of trauma causes lasting harm to our natural nails – slowing down growth and making them more vulnerable to other irritants or infections.
What Should You Do If You Have A Broken Acrylic Nail?
If you have a broken acrylic nail, it is important to take the proper steps in order to minimize damage and discomfort.
The first step should be to carefully remove the nail from your finger by gently pushing or peeling the acrylic away from your natural nail with an orange wood stick or manicure tool.
Make sure that you are careful not to tear any skin, as this may cause further damage. Once removed, buff down any rough edges around your natural nail using a fine-grade emery board or buffer.
It is also important to use an acetone-free remover when removing excess glue, as acetone can be damaging to your nails and surrounding skin.
Next, take care of any lingering pain by disinfecting the area around the broken nail with clean water and soap before applying a thin layer of antiseptic cream.
If there is any visible bleeding, make sure to apply pressure until it stops and consider placing a bandage over the wound until it heals up properly. Be sure not to put too much pressure on the wound, as this could reopen it up again.
Finally, if you want, give yourself a new set of acrylic nails using safe products such as non-toxic polish, base coat, top coat, cuticle oil etc., under hygienic conditions following all instructions from salon professionals in order to ensure proper application and maintenance moving forward.
How To Fix A Broken Nail
The first step is to trim the broken part of the nail as close as possible so that you have an even surface to work with. Then, file the edges down until they are smooth and blend in with the rest of your nails.
You’ll also want to clean the area around the break and remove any excess debris or dirt that may be causing irritation or infection.
Once your nail is prepped and ready, gather a few materials: acrylic powder, liquid monomer and some fine-grit sandpaper. Start by mixing a small amount of acrylic powder with liquid monomer until you get a frosting-like consistency, then use it to fill in the break in your nail.
Making sure that it completely covers all surfaces of where it’s broken. Once dry, lightly buff out any bumps or ridges with fine-grit sandpaper before filing away any sharp edges, so your nail looks like new again.
Finish up by applying a coat of clear polish for added protection against further damage and breakage! With just a few simple steps, you’ve now fixed up your broken nail without having to go out for expensive repairs.
How To Fix A Cracked Acrylic Nail Without Having To Visit Your Nail Tech
Thankfully, fixing a cracked nail is still possible without having to visit your nail technician for professional help. Start by using a fine-grit sanding block on the affected area and buff until the crack has been removed completely.
You can then use glue from an acrylic nail kit and dip powder to adhere the pieces back together before filing down the shape of your nail until it is even with the rest.
How To Relieve Pain And Nail Throbbing After Breaking An Acrylic Nail
If you have ever broken an acrylic nail, you know how painful it can be. The throbbing and discomfort can make it difficult to concentrate on anything else! To help relieve pain and nail throbbing after breaking an acrylic nail, there are a few things that you can do.
First, clean the area around the break with soap and water to remove any debris or dirt that may be present. You should also disinfect the fingernail with rubbing alcohol or antibacterial cream if possible.
Next, apply a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area for 15 minutes every hour or as needed for relief from the pain and throbbing of your nail.
This will not only reduce swelling but can also provide some numbness which helps lessen the discomfort. Applying vinegar compresses on your finger may also work wonders in relieving any burning sensation on your skin due to damage by the acrylic glue used during application of the fake nails.
You might find yourself wanting something stronger than ice if over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications do not ease your ache completely. In this case, contact your doctor who might prescribe a stronger medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage inflammation associated with breaking an acrylic nail.
Applying ointment such as petroleum jelly may help protect skin cells surrounding the damaged area and promote healing process faster while providing relief from soreness experienced at broken areas of your nails caused by acrylic glue sticking on them.
Finally, take steps towards repairing and replenishing moisture into your nails so they don’t become dry and brittle after their trauma: trim off loose pieces of acrylics using manicure clippers.
Use quality cuticle nail oil daily (or weekly depending on type); reapply moisturizing lotion or cream to areas of your hand surrounding the damaged nail.
How To Disinfect Your Damaged Fingernail Free Edge?
If you have a damaged fingernail free edge, it is important to disinfect the nail, when you break a nail. The first step is to clean the damaged nail with warm water and soap.
You can then apply an antibiotic lotion or cream, or use hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball or Q-tip and gently rub it into the affected area – this will help reduce bacteria and stop infection from spreading further.
After that has been done, you can apply a topical ointment to prevent excessive moisture in your fingertips, which can create the perfect environment for bacterial growth.
Lastly, be sure to keep your hands covered with gloves while cleaning or washing dishes and maintain good hygiene practices. This will help you protect yourself from any additional infections present.
When To Seek Professional Help For Your Broken Acrylic Nail Problem
Broken acrylic nails can be a serious problem for most people. Depending on the severity of the break and where it is located, it can be impossible to repair without professional help.
If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few key signs that signal when to seek out professional help from a nail technician or salon.
First and foremost, if your broken acrylic nail is causing pain or discomfort, it’s wise to book an appointment with a professional as soon as possible.
A qualified technician at the nail salon will assess the extent of the damage so they can advise on how best to proceed with treatment.
They may suggest applying a strengthening solution directly onto the nail to make sure that any further damage does not occur due to weakened structure and integrity of the acrylic material.
If you’ve found that your broken acrylic nails have become ingrown or infected due to improper filing or grooming techniques – such as using clippers instead of manicure scissors.
Then seeking out immediate professional advice is also advisable. Your technician will be able to provide guidance on proper nail care in addition to reducing bacteria levels by carefully cleaning away any debris lodged beneath the nail surface, or using nail glue to repair the issue.
This will reduce severe inflammation in particularly sensitive areas of your skin surrounding the affected area, when your nail is broken, and hasten recovery time for your new nail considerably.
Can You Apply A Coat Of Nail Polish On A Broken Acrylic Nail?
No, it is not recommended to apply a coat of regular nail polish on a broken acrylic nail. Acrylic nails need to be securely attached in order to create a durable structure that can withstand the weight of the polish.
Applying polish on an already weak and fragile acrylic fake nail may cause further breakage or lifting. It is best to repair any broken acrylic nails before applying any type of polish, topcoat, or adhesive product, so you don’t end up with brittle nails.
The most common repairing techniques include filing down or removing the acrylic nail at home, before polishing the entire surface with a base coat and your desired color.
How to Remove the Broken Acrylic Nail If You Can’t Fix The Break
The first step is to gather your supplies: acetone-free remover, cotton balls, scissors, an orange stick or cuticle pusher, and a towel or buffer block. Start by soaking one of the cotton balls in nail polish remover and applying it carefully around the edges of the broken acrylic nail.
This breaks down any super glue or adhesive so that it can easily be removed. Using another cotton ball, gently lift up on the edge until your entire acrylic nail has been separated from your natural nail bed.
If there are any loose pieces still attached, use tweezers or trim them away using small scissors, or nail clippers before continuing on with removal process, using nail files to buff away the acrylic nail from your real nail.
Now take either an orange stick or cuticle pusher and gently push away any remaining pieces of your artificial nail from underneath of your natural nails until they come off completely.
To ensure all bits of nail glue are exfoliated from underneath use a buffing block for added pressure over each area that was lifted with earlier tweezer work (this should also help smooth out somewhat jagged edges).
Rinse fingers clean with warm water and pat them dry before adding some moisturizer as needed then you can move onto removing excess glue residue if necessary (generally this will pull right off after soaking) – but always remember to avoid scratching nails while doing so.
Summary
Broken acrylic nails can be a nightmare. Knowing how to handle the situation and what steps to take can help make the whole process much easier.
First, assess the cause of the breakage, as understanding this will ensure you are taking the right steps to prevent future breaks. This includes selecting quality products for your acrylics and avoiding activities that put excess stress on your nail beds.
When it comes time for repair or removal, take care of any pain with cold compresses or over-the-counter medications before attempting any at-home repairs or disinfecting techniques. If these don’t work or if you’re not confident in handling such an issue yourself, seek professional advice from a qualified technician at your local salon.
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.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!