05/21/2021
I am getting lots of questions about the latest trend of āpop-onā nails. They rose to prominence in the 1970s and became a drugstore staple in the 1990s. They are not new they have been around. āPop-onā nails are for special events, they look elegant and are efficient for short term use. They are so fast and are easy to apply. You can even do it in the car on your way to the venue. They are a quick and temporary fix for those that ādonāt have timeā for regular salon manicures. They are simply a fashion accessory. However, they are not designed for regular every day or long term wear. When they pop off and are re-applied they can seal in moisture, germs, dirt, or bacteria causing nail fungus and or permanent nail damage. Not only that, the brush will contaminate your entire bottle of glue once it has touched a nail that hasnāt been properly prepped. The nail glue included in these āsetsā or ākitsā is designed to break down the ingredients of the artificial āpop-onā when used over and over; because of course they are reusable. Also, the number one recommendation when wearing āpop-onā nails is to avoid water; because soaking them in soapy warm water is how you remove them. They also claim they are non-damaging; but to apply you are recommended to buff the nail, clean it, then apply. Without proper know how or training buffing the natural nail is damaging. It can and it will cause permanent nail damage when done often. And when you are reapplying these every two weeks or less; and buffing your natural nails every time you will cause permanent nail damage.
Some say gels and acrylics are damaging to the natural nail. In my experience itās not the product that is damaging, it is the way the natural nails are treated in application and removal (at home or by a professional). Most damage to our natural nails comes from how they are treated on a daily basis. āPop-onā nails claim to be ānon-damagingā, but in my research, experience, and from talking with other professionals the same statement about āpop-onā nails is expressed, āthey trash natural nails.ā
They also claim that you can āGet a salon-quality, customizable manicure for a fraction of the time (and price!) that is easy to apply on your own!ā On average in our area a salon manicure is twenty dollars. Letās talk about how much āpress-onā nails are. Take in mind that there are many different brands which in return means they are all going to be different costs. I took the top 5 brands used in Utah and the average cost just for the Press-onā nails is fifteen dollars. So itās only a five dollar difference. Five bucks is five bucks; but when you go to the salon your also paying for a salon/spa experience. Not to mention you are probably supporting a local small town business. Another note, what comes along with the salon/spa experience? Definitely something more than a late night or early morning of trying to glue on your āpress-onā nails in a mad dash so you can get on to the next event of your life.
It is important to use nail products safely, following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. By law, nail products sold in the United States must be safe for consumers when used according to directions on the label, or in the usual or customary way. Many āpop-onā nail products contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed.
There is a reason why doctors go through years of education and training right? That same principle can be said for cosmetologists and nail technicians. Like myself, many of my friends, clients, and acquaintances we have gone to college, put in the time, money and work to become a licensed professional to have careers in something we have a passion for. Iām not saying donāt use āpop-onā nails; because when they are used as directed and not for long term wear they are great and help people who ādonāt have timeā. All Iām saying is be careful and think about how valuable your natural nails are.
