Press-on nails are ready-to-wear stick-on nail extensions that offer a quicker and inexpensive alternative to good old salon manicures. This is a hassle-free solution to all your nail woes helping you achieve salon-like nail extensions within minutes that too in the comfort of your home. But the question is, why do press on nails hurt? To put it simply, if your press-on nails are hurting or causing pain or discomfort, then you have messed up with the application process. They don’t hurt if you have applied them properly following the instructions. Read on to understand why press-ons hurt and discover the solutions to fix it.
Why Do Press On Nails Hurt?
What Causes Press-on Nail Pain?
1) Quality Issues:
Cheap-quality press-ons are easily available in the market and can be quite luring but make sure they aren’t made of hard and inflexible materials which can cause discomfort and uneasiness. Equally important is the quality of the glue or adhesive tabs that you use since they are in direct contact with your natural nail. Don’t use OTC strong glues which may cause reactions with your natural nail structure.
3) Improper Application
When DIYing your press-on nail manicure, always read the instructions on the pack or learn the ways to apply press-on nails correctly and easily. Don’t jump into directly gluing the tips to your natural nails as the improper application can cause pain and discomfort. You may feel the urge to press the nail tip harshly to your nail bed for better adhesiveness, but in fact, you are causing more harm to your natural nails. Also, misplacing the press-on touching your skin or cuticle can be very painful as the nail grows.
4) Incorrect Sizing and Shaping
It is crucial to choose the correct size of your press-on nail tips in terms of both length and width. Extremely small or long lengths can cause trouble and discomfort leading to pain. Similarly, if the width of the tip is bigger or smaller than the natural nail bed, it can become problematic. Extra long or broad press-ons may also get stuck in your hair or clothes ultimately causing the risk of tugging and pain. The shape of the nails is equally crucial because some shapes don’t go well with certain nail beds and hand appearances.
5) Allergic Reactions
Your skin or natural nail structure may be allergic to certain chemicals in nail adhesives or even acrylic nails without you being aware of the reaction. It is always good to be safe than sorry – consider doing a patch test first to check for signs of irritation before wearing the press-ons. Also, always be sure to check expiry dates on products before using them. Even fungal infections can happen due to water deposits or debris due to incorrect sizing or application. Discontinue further usage when you see any allergic reaction happening under or around the nail.
Tips to Reduce Press-on Nail Pain
1) Choosing the Right Quality
Never compromise on quality when putting anything on your skin, hair, and nails. The same applies to press-on nails – always look for good material that isn’t harsh on your nails or prone to causing infections. Look for professionally designed press-ons that have been made of good-quality acrylic or other soft and flexible material. Similarly, invest in good quality nail glue specially designed for press-on nails or ask your nail tech to suggest one for you.
2) Appropriate Prep and Application
Proper prep and patient application processes are key to painless press-ons. Be it prepping your natural nails for the manicure, the pressure applied to sticking the tips, or the placement of your press-on – correct application is key to a painless and hassle-free manicure at home. This involves applying the right amount of glue and pressing the nail tip onto the natural nail with the correct pressure. Also, the nail should be positioned at a correct angle, right above the cuticle line but not too close to the skin.
3) Correct Sizing and Shaping
Choosing the right shape and size of the press-ons will result in the least pain and will even make your manicure last longer. The ideal size of your press-on nails should be the same as the natural nail bed or slightly smaller. Also, it is advisable to opt for medium to medium-long lengths and manageable shapes for a comfortable and painless manicure.
4) Taking Breaks
If press-on nails are worn for a longer time, they may result in allergies or fungal infections because the natural nails underneath the press-on cannot be cleaned thoroughly. Also, frequent use of press-ons may cause the natural nails to become paper-thin due to overexposure to chemicals and abrasive tools. It is thus advisable to take a few days’ break between multiple applications so the nails and skin can be cleaned and the chemical residue can be gotten over with.
