Debunking Common Nail Polish Myths
If you’ve always been someone who enjoys the beauty and fashion of colorful nail polish, it’s likely you’ve also been exposed to the many myths that exist about nail polish. There have been many myths that have picked up steam over the decades about nail polish, from its supposed effects on your natural nails to how you should prep your nails before using polish. Learn more as we go about debunking common nail polish myths below.
Nail Polish and Cosmetics Are Bad for Your Nails
Many people have assumed that because nail polish has been made of different chemicals over time, the consistent use of nail polish will be bad for your nails in a long run. Luckily, this common myth is just that—a myth. Your nails are already made up of dead skin cells. The fact that these cells are already dead means they can’t be harmed any further, at least not by something as simple as nail polish. This has actually made it possible for the nail care industry to develop more products that work well with our natural nails. The nail bed, however, is susceptible to damage, as it is still alive. This is why you still shouldn’t use any old chemicals on your nails.
Refrigerating Nail Polish Makes It Last Longer
Another common myth is that nail polish will last longer if you store it in a refrigerator. It’s true that polishes carry an expiration date; unfortunately, it’s not the same as it is food, and refrigeration doesn’t do much to preserve the polish. The cold temperature will actually be damaging to the polish’s formulation. This means the substance will not retain its smooth texture, which will ruin the application process. When the polish is cold, it will become nearly impossible to apply it in a smooth layer. Much of the damage occurs when the polish goes from a cold temperate to room temperature. Keep your polishes in a room temperature environment, sealed and out of the sun.
Cold Water Makes Nail Polish Dry Faster
When you’re waiting for your nail polish to dry, it’s understandable that you may want to find a way to speed up the process. One method that has been recommended by many in the past is to stick your nails in ice water to dry the polish faster. However, this is actually a bad idea.
Part of why this won’t work comes down to a basic understanding of how nail polish dries in the first place. The solvents in the polish have to evaporate, which will never happen with the polish submerged in water. It might harden the top layers, but anything underneath will remain wet. This will make the manicure more prone to dents and more uneven overall. Every layer of the polish has to dry properly in order for the final finish to sit correctly.
It’s Okay To Cut Your Cuticles
Many assume that you should always push your cuticles back or even go as far as trimming them to give the polish more nail space and avoid getting polish on the cuticles. It’s true that you want to avoid getting polish on your cuticle, as this could cause the manicure to start lifting as it flakes off your cuticle. But you can achieve this by simply painting your coats more cautiously.
Cutting your cuticles can quickly damage them. Damaging your cuticles can affect the growth of your nail. Even if it’s not to the point of damaging your nail, removal of the cuticle could open you up to infection since cuticles protect bacteria from collecting underneath the skin. Moisturizing your fingers with cuticle oil is the best way to keep your cuticles healthy and soft.
Your Nails Need Time To Breathe
Looking into the claim that your nails need time to breathe is another important part of debunking common nail polish myths. The belief comes from the concept that if you are going from one manicure to another and your nails are constantly being coated in polishes, you’re never giving them the proper time to breathe. This is a myth because your nails never truly need to breathe. Our fingernails don’t get anything from the air. Nails receive their nutrients from our bloodstream, so keeping them exposed to the air for specific amounts of time really does nothing for them.
Artificial Enhancements Ruin Natural Nails
Word has spread over time that any artificial nail enhancements will damage your nails, especially after consistent use. There is some proof that certain application and removal processes have the ability to cause harm to the natural nail, but there are methods that are safer for your nails. Ultimately, nail enhancements are not bad for your nails so long as you make sure you are being cautious with your application or removal processes. It gets risky when people start rushing through the steps. Take your time and make sure to use the proper tools.
Nails Should Be Soaked Before Adding Polish
This idea claims that you should be soaking your nails thoroughly before any manicure and polish application. Not only is this a bad idea, but it doesn’t even work the way many people believe. The soaking will simply soften the nails. Water can also breed a high number of bacteria, which can easily lead to infections. Finally, because the nail will soak up the water, it will cause the enamel to not fully adhere to the polish the way it should, potentially ruining your manicure. It can cause small fissures in the varnish, as well, leading to chipping of the nail polish.
Remover Can Be Added To Thin Clumpy Polish
The idea has been thrown around that if your nail polish has become too thick or clumpy over time, you can thin it out by adding acetone or another polish remover to it. If you do this, the chemical composition of the polish will be damaged, causing the manicure to easily chip, discolor, and dry out while it’s still in the bottle.
Giving yourself the best manicure will be easy with the right tools. At Kiara Sky Nails, you will find professional nail equipment that will help enhance the look and feel of your nails.
