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There are so many different types of fake nails out there that can both protect your nails and enhance your beauty in the process as well! But one of the most frustrating things about them is that the application process is tedious at best. Most of them take a long to cure or need special accessories like UV lamps to cure after application. And then you would have to worry about the hours after application to ensure they are perfectly kept. That is where press-on nails come to the rescue!
Press-on nail, like other fake nails, will help keep your nail bed protected but like all other false nails, they have one adversary they cannot match: water. This is because press-on nails are put on your natural nail bed using an adhesive and the water is the worst enemy for most types of nail glue adhesive. that is why most people tend to ask, can you shower with press-on nails or not? So let’s take everything into consideration about press-on nails and showering and figure out if it is possible or not!
What is Press-On Nails?
Before jumping into the showering aspect, it is first good to be more familiar with press-on nails to have a complete understanding of their interaction with water during a shower.
Press-on nails are a type of artificial nail that can be easily applied and removed without the need for a nail salon or nail technician. They are designed to be a convenient and affordable way to achieve a beautiful manicured look at home. They are also very good to help keep your manicure protected as well!
There are three main types of press-on nails: acrylic resin, gel, and ABS plastic. Acrylic resin nails are a popular choice for their durability and natural look.
Press-on nails are a convenient and temporary solution for those who want to switch up their look for a special occasion or experiment with different styles. They can be easily applied at home with adhesive tabs or nail glue and can last for several days or even weeks with proper care.
Overall, press-on nails offer a quick and easy solution to the lengthy application process that other false nails need! With it, you achieve beautifully manicured nails without the commitment or expense of a traditional manicure.
Showering With Press-On Nails: Possible or Not?
It is a tricky question to answer but to get to the point: yes, it is very possible to shower with press-on nails. However, just because something is possible does not mean that it is recommended, and the same goes for press-on nails and showering.
Water is the worst friend for false nails, especially acrylic nails which most press-on nails are made of! The nail adhesive has a chance to loosen and pop out during your shower which is something you definitely don’t want happening. Sadly, if the adhesive is not waterproof, then water will ruin more than just your nails, it can affect the cuticle as well!
There is also the time factor that you need to consider because press-on nails might be fast in application, but it still needs time to fully settle so you can do other activities. Adding water during this delicate stage of the nails will mean that all you just did will be in vain.
As a result, you can shower with your press-on nails and do many other jobs with them, but while doing all of these things, you must be careful about your press-on nail’s safety.
Problems with Press-On Nails in the Shower
Since showering can pose a problem for press-on nails, knowing the problems beforehand will be a great advantage for you when you want to wear press-on nails in the shower! Here are the problems that your press-on acrylic nails might face:
1. Hot Water on Press-On Nails
Who doesn’t like a hot shower? well, your press-on nails for one will not like the hot water at all! When press-on nails are in contact with hot water, the heat can make them softer and more flexible. This softening effect compromises the adhesive’s ability to hold the nails securely in place, making them vulnerable to lifting, becoming loose, or completely popping out.
2. Soapy Water on Press-On Nails
Think of all the things that you might use during a shower: shampoo, conditioner, oil, face wash, and so many more. All of these are applied with the tips of your fingers being in contact with your hair and skin and surprise surprise, your press-on nails are the most affected by this! All that moisture and soap products will be trapped under your fingernails and slowly loosen the adhesive enough to come off.
3. Contact with Water Over Extended Periods of Time
If warm water is bad, then extended exposure to water is worse! We all enjoy an extended shower but the more soapy water that comes in contact with your nails, the weaker the press-on glue will become! This is probably the worst of them all because the glue will slowly lose all of its grip on the nails and come off with the slightest pressure!
Showering Safely With Press-On Nails: 6 Great Tips
You can shower with your nails done, it is true, but that doesn’t mean that you can shower for so long or work the same as you have your natural nails. Here are some things that you need to watch out for:
- Avoid hot water: Hot and warm water is always avoided when it comes to protecting fake nails. It is one of the major things that you want to avoid for any type of nails! required for any type of artificial nail. Exposure to water makes the artificial nail adhesive weak enough that it can peel off from your nails.
- Don’t shower for too long: Keeping your hands with press-on nails in the water also makes your press-on nail adhesive weak enough to hold in on your nails. So, showering for a long time with press-on nails is not a good idea for you. You must keep the water away from your nails as much as possible. Keeping your nails away from water is the best idea to keep them on your nails for longer.
- Low water pressure: High water pressure can put additional stress on your press-on nails, potentially causing them to lift or come off. Adjust the water pressure to a gentle flow to minimize any potential damage.
- Wear water-resistant hand gloves: If working in the water or with the water is necessary for you, then wearing water-resistant hand gloves can help. It will keep your nails away from the water and keep them on for longer on your nails without any damage. But while using the hand glove, make sure that it is not too short or too tight for your hands. It will protect your nails for longer.
- Apply a quality top coat: Top coats are counted as a polish on your nails to protect their color from any damage. So, using the best-quality top coat will make sure to protect your press-on nails from any kind of damage and keep them on for a long time.
- Dry your nails thoroughly: After showering, make sure to dry your nails thoroughly using a towel or air drying. Moisture can also weaken the adhesive bond, so it is important to remove any excess water. Avoid using a hairdryer on high heat as it can also damage the nails.
By maintaining these 6 tips while showering with press-on nails, you can protect your nails from any kind of damage.
Applying Press-On Nails Precisely To Last Longer
To make your press-on nails last longer, the first thing you have to do is protect your nails from any kind of damage. And to protect your press-on nails, you have to maintain your regular activities. Your regular activities have a lot of impact on your press-on nails. So, if you want to keep your press-on nails for longer, then you must make sure that you are avoiding all those activities that can harm your press-on nails and also taking good care of your nails.
Application method
To make your press-on nails stay longer, follow these steps:
- Firstly, clean with a nail cleanser or nail polish remover to remove all the oil and dirt from your nails and hands before application.
- Secondly, buff your nails to make the press-on nails attach to your nails perfectly.
- Apply glue or a strong glue patch to your buffed nail.
- Choose the right-shaped nail for yourself, and fit that on your glued nail perfectly.
- Press on the nail with a presser for, on average, 10–12 minutes to make it attach to your natural nail perfectly.
- Apply the best-quality top coat to your press-on nails to protect them from any kind of damage.
- Always remember to use moisture and cuticle oil to keep your fingers healthy enough to contain the press-on nails.
Activities to Avoid to Make Press-On Nails Last Longer
Just like with showering, there are certain other activities that you want to avoid to ensure that your press-on nails last a long time. Here are what you should be avoiding:
- Avoid using water so much or wear hand gloves to protect your press-on nails.
- Avoid using nails as tools, mainly when it comes to holding something or typing. It can make the nails peel off of your nails.
- Stop putting so much pressure on your press-on nails. It can also make your press-on nails weak enough to peel off.
- Avoid heat and warmth as much as possible. It will weaken the adhesive of the press-on nails and make your nails cling off from your nails.
- Don’t get too many long press-on nails. It can make the nails break or peel off sometimes because of sticking, and it’s also not good for your fingers. Maintain a good length to protect your nails.
How to Remove Press-On Nails Properly?
You also have to be concerned about your natural nails and know how you can remove your press-on properly without causing any harm to them. To remove your press-on nails without any damage to your natural nails, follow these processes:
Remove Press-On Nails with Cuticle Pusher and Solvent:
- Soak your press-on nails in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. Try to put some liquid in that water; it will help to remove the nails more quickly.
- After 10 minutes of soaking, remove the extra water from your press-on nails.
- Now, apply the cuticle oil around your press-on nails to weaken the adhesive of your press-on nails. Give it some time to loosen up.
- Take your cuticle pusher and pull the nail off. While removing them, don’t force it. If it still hangs up so strongly, then follow the process again to loosen it up.
- Remove all the extra adhesive with the help of the cuticle pusher.
- Apply some moisturizer or oil to your nails to moisturize them and keep them healthy.
Remove Press-on Nails with Nail Polish Remover
- To remove press-on nails with the help of a nail polish remover, take a bowl and fill it with nail polish remover.
- Soak your press-on nails under the nail polish remover for a few minutes.
- After waiting a few minutes, take off your nails and take a nail polish. Remove the soaked cotton and press it around your press-on nails.
- After some minutes, you will see that your press-on nails are clinging easily to your nails.
- Remove all the nails and the extra adhesive from your nails.
- Wash your nails again and moisturize your nails to keep them safe and healthy.
FAQs
No, press nails are not waterproof, but you can still work or shower with these artificial nails. But you have to be sincere and maintain some activities while using your press-on nails with water.
Yes, you can wash your hair with press-on nails. But washing your hair with press-on nails is a risk for your nails, and you also can’t wash your hair with freshly done press-on nails. And if you are going to wash your hair with press-on nails, then make sure to use your finger while washing your hair.
When it comes to the last of the press-on nails, you can keep them for around a week on your nails. It can be changed depending on your regular activities, but always remember to give your natural nails some time to grow before again getting other nails on.
Final Thoughts
Showering with press-on nails is fine as long as you know the many dangers that showering has on them. From my personal experience, I have had no problems with showering with press-on nails but that is because I followed strict measures to make sure that my nails were away from harm. That meant showering for a short time, using lukewarm water, and many other things! So if you want, you can shower with them on, just make sure you are keeping them protected so you can enjoy them for an ample time!
Key Points
- Having press-on nails and showering with those nails is possible.
- Always remember that press-on nails are not waterproof, so don’t soak them underwater for long.
- Try to maintain your regular activities to keep the press-on nails on for a long time.
- To give your natural nails some time, remember to remove the press-on nails properly and also use moisturizer to keep them healthy.