Cambridge Dictionary defines fingernails as
the hard, slightly curved part that covers and protects the top of the end of a finger. The hard, outer covering on the tips of the fingernails makes the fingertips one of the strongest parts of the hand.
Having a fingernail covering can prevent viruses and bacteria from entering the body. Nails are made of keratin, which is a type of protein that forms the cells that make up the tissue in nails and other parts of your body.
Keratin plays an important role in nail health. It protects nails from damage by making them strong and resilient.
However, some people settle for artificial nails because their real ones don't grow well. The procedure for fixing nails are not harmful, but putting them on and taking them off can involve acids and other chemicals that could cause allergic reactions. Damage to artificial nails also can lead to fungal infections and other problems.
Basically, there are two types of artificial nails; acrylic and gel. A third type, called silks, are often used to fix damaged nails or to make nail tips stronger.
Ladies go for artificial fingernails due to a number of reasons; those going for a wedding party, or reunion and other social engagements and want to look sharp and stand out do fix temporary nails. Others fix artificial nails because of difficulty in growing natural nails long and need assistance.
Gel, acrylic, and silk nails are widely used. Most people choose gels or acrylics when they are looking for a longer lasting nails, Silks are most often used for a shorter time to strengthen nail tips or repair nail trauma, rather than making nails longer.
Acrylic Nails
Nail technicians usually mix a liquid with a powder and brush the mixture onto your nails. They cover the entire nail, though sometimes they will just add tips or a flexible form that they can sculpt to extend your nails.
Silk Nails
These fabric wraps are glued in place to strengthen weak nails or help a cracked nail grow out. Some wraps are made of silk, but others are made of linen, paper, or fiberglass.
Your nail technician will fit the material to your nail's shape, hold it in place, then brush on glue.
Silks are intended to be temporary, and the adhesives will loosen within two or three weeks, or sooner if you wash dishes by hand without gloves. Your nail technician can remove or reapply them at your follow-up visit.
Tips for Artificial Nails
1.Patronise a professional technician to get your nails fixed.
2.Don't peel off your artificial nails. They are designed to adhere to the nail, so if you peel them off, it yanks off the top layer of your nail.
3.Choose a nail technician based on recommendations from friends, rather than basing it only on location or price, don't patronise road side technicians. For example, If your nail technician is not experienced, she can file your nail plate too thin when applying gels or acrylics, which can damage your nails.
4.Your nail salon should look clean and disinfect tools between clients. Ensure you both wash your hands before working on your nails.
5. Leave your cuticles alone. Don't let anyone at the nail salon cut or push back your cuticles. Breaking the seal between your fingernail and nail bed can lead to infections.
6. Don't bandage or try to repair a damaged nail yourself. Go to a professional so you don't get a nail infection.
7.Ask your technician how to care for your nails between visits. It is important to get a good, knowledgeable nail technician, someone who can teach you how to properly maintain your nails.
8.Go natural now and then. Experts recommend skipping artificial nails occasionally, to give your own nails a break. Dont over fix !
Although artificial nails have become an important fashion item among ladies, they also have their negative effects, if well not taken care of, it could cause bacteria infection.
In her contribution, Mrs Laide Banjo, a nail technician, said nail fixing is very common among young women because there are some who don’t feel comfortable if they don’t fix the nail while some others go extra mile to spend the last cash on them to fix their nails. I have clients who don't even expose their natural nails, as soon as they remove the artificial, they put new ones back immediately. I have a particular one whom am so sure her husband has never seen her natural nails before.
" My advice to ladies is that they should allow their natural nails to stay for a while before fixing artificial nails, though am not saying that the act of fixing the nail is not good, but it should be minimised as it could be dangerous to health.” she submitted.
Speaking with Miss Rashidat, a nail apprentice, in a nail studio in based in Abeokuta, she said that artificial nails are available in different designs, colours, and shapes ranging from simple colours such as yellow, red, purple or blue to flamboyant designs such as animal print and mixed metabolic colour. Artificial nails can either be long or short, depending on one’s choice. she said ladies who love to appear in casual or corporate attires, often settle for a dress that goes with whatever colour they wear on their nails and also be conscious of the type of accessories to use.
A party rocker, Biodun Balogun, said she fixes her nails because she chews her natural nails. “My nails are short and I bite them often to the extent that my nails were no longer coming out again. When I started fixing artificial nails, it has helped me to keep them in shape because chewing my natural nail poses a great challenge to their maintainance. Also when I leave my natural nails on, after a while they break firm the root and it is very frustrating, I therefore go for artificial nails because with them, I am spared the stress of keeping natural nails,” she said.
Most ladies love to Look good, as looking good is good business and this comes with a price. Though artificial nails are relatively affordable, it all depends on the kind of nails a person wants, depending on the price. They vary in designs and this makes their prices vary. Fixing acrylic nails, silk nails, glass nails, French- tips and gel nails to mention a few, a cost between N500 and N5, 000 and that depends on the kind of nail you want and the expertise involved.
Fixing of artificial nails do improve the beauty of a woman, it could also be dangerous if not well managed, so ladies do it moderately!
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