Taking care of your nail extensions is essential for their longevity and your nail health. Proper maintenance helps prevent issues like lifting, bacteria buildup, and damage to your natural nails. Here’s how to care for them:
Daily Maintenance
Nail extensions need regular attention to stay looking their best.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Wear gloves when doing housework or using cleaning products to protect the extensions.
- Moisturize: Keep your cuticles and surrounding skin moisturized with cuticle oil to prevent dryness and cracking.
- Gentle handling: Be careful with your nails to prevent chipping, breaking, or lifting. Avoid using your nails as tools.
Cleaning Nail Extensions
Like natural nails, nail extensions need to be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria buildup.
- Regular cleaning: Clean your nail extensions every few days using a soft brush or a toothbrush with gentle soap and warm water.
- Thorough drying: Always dry your nail extensions thoroughly after washing. Water trapped under the extensions can cause lifting.
Avoiding Damage
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to nail extensions.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Keep your nail extensions away from very hot water or cold temperatures, which can weaken the adhesive.
- Don't pick: Resist the urge to pick at your nail extensions. This can damage your natural nail and lead to lifting.
- Be aware of pressure: Avoid pressure on the tips of your nails, especially when typing or doing tasks with your hands.
When to Seek Professional Help
Even with excellent care, sometimes you need professional assistance.
- Lifting: If your extensions start to lift, schedule an appointment with your nail technician to have them reattached or addressed.
- Cracks or breaks: Don't try to fix cracks or breaks yourself, as you could damage your natural nails.
Summary of Nail Extension Care
| Task | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Use soft brush, soap, and warm water | Every few days |
| Drying | Dry thoroughly after washing | Every time |
| Moisturizing | Apply cuticle oil | Daily |
| Avoidance | Harsh chemicals, picking, extreme temperatures | Always |
| Professional Checkups | Reattach lifting extensions or fix damages, if needed | As necessary |
