How to Maintain Acrylic Nails

After getting a new set of acrylic nails, you must care for them properly. This will keep them beautiful, shiny and appearing new. In addition, following these steps will teach you how to prevent the acrylic nails from loosening, or growing bacteria or fungus.

Things You'll Need

• Clear top coat nail polish
• Nail brush
• Antibacterial soap
• Rubbing alcohol (optional)

Instructions

1. Clean your acrylic nails a few times per week. You can clean them using a small brush, soap and water. If you are very concerned about bacteria, fungus and parasites, clean your nails with alcohol. If you get your nails dirty while gardening or a similar activity, be especially careful to get your nails clean afterwards.

2. Repaint your acrylic nails with a new clear top coat once a week or as needed. This will keep them shiny and appearing new.

3. Check daily under and around the sides of the nails to see if they are beginning to loosen. If they are, you will need to go back to the salon to have them fixed.

4. Be careful with your acrylic nails. Do not treat them as tools or in any other way that you would not use your natural nails.

5. Wear gloves when using any type of chemical, such as cleansers, paint thinners or anything that could come in contact with the nails. Also wear gloves when washing dishes.

6. Return to the salon every 2 weeks to get a fill. If you wait longer than 2 weeks, the nails will begin to grow out and it will be obvious that they are acrylic nails and won't look as pretty.

Tips & Warnings

• Wearing acrylic nails can be a great way to stop biting your nails, if that is a habit for you.