Visiting a salon for a manicure with acrylic nails would probably the one thing on your mind as it is the latest ongoing trend. But did you know the correct name for them? I bet you don’t!
Acrylic nails are one of the types of solar nails. Yes, that’s their real name.
They are exactly like a French manicure but with less amount of hassle. These nails have become extremely popular and are worn by people from all walks of life, be it your next-door neighbor to a celebrity figure. History depicts that French manicure and pastel colors became a staple for people from the middle class in the 20th century.
So let’s have a brief look at what are solar nails made up of:
What are Solar Nails Made up of?
Solar nails are created using two ingredients; powder and a liquid monomer which creates a chemical mixture known as polymethyl methacrylate acrylics. Hard to digest, right?
Not to worry, you won’t need to remember this term. Instead, let’s focus on the next step, which is its usage.
The mixture is applied to your nails, after which it starts hardening and thickening. Solar nails are ten times thicker than your natural nails. The mixture can also be used to increase the size of your nails, like how famous celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and beauty influencers are seen wearing them. Once the layer hardens in 15 minutes, it is ready for any nail paint or nail art.
Okay, now you have them on your hand, and you may be worried about how do I take them off?
The process takes longer than removing nail polish, and for this, you would need acetone which takes up to 20 minutes to take off the acrylic layer.
But do note that these solar nails are also available readymade which means if you are in the mood of getting some but don’t want to invest the time, you can simply order them for any physical or online store.
When Did the Trend of Solar Nails start?
Solar nails came into being in the 1950s due to an experimental remedy to heal a broken nail by dentist Fred Slacky using his dental supplies. However, it wasn’t until two decades later that the formula for creating solar nails was perfected.
You would be surprised to know that these acrylic nails became a hit through sports. You may wonder who introduced it? None other than the four-time Olympic gold medalist and the fastest woman in the world, Florence Griffith Joyner. She was not allowed to compete in the 200-meter race because the size of her nails was too long (6.5 inches approximately).
Initially, these nails were labeled as deviant and wild, a contrast to how they are regarded today. However, by the 1990s, celebrities had begun walking the red carpet with these acrylic nails and emphasizing nail art.
The Pros and Cons of Getting Solar Nails
If you are deciding on whether to get these type of acrylic nails or any other variation of artificial nails, have a look at the advantages that solar nails bring:
Pros
- They look completely natural once dried or attached to your nail
- They are perfect for those who struggle with nail-biting and want their nails to look presentable
- It can be used to mend broken nails, similar to how the founder of solar nails had used them.
- They are long-lasting and withstand more breaks than your own natural nails.
- You can even decide the length of your artificial nail
Cons
But, before you make up your mind, here are some cons of getting solar nails that you should be aware of
- They can cause damage to your natural nail surface
- They can lead to a fungal or bacterial infection on your nails
- They are not that easy to remove. They need to be either trimmed, filed, or soaked for removal
2 Things to Keep in Mind When Getting Solar Nail Manicure
Now that you have decided that solar nails are the best version of acrylic nails for you. You must do a little bit of research to gain inspiration for the design you want and to save yourself some money. Here are three things that you should keep in mind while going to the salon for your solar nail manicure.
Check that the brand name of the acrylic nails is Creative Nail Design (CND)
Often salons can be creating your acrylic nail using the liquid monomer and powder that does not carry the label of ‘solar nails.’ In that case, you should be careful because you might be getting duped and paying more money for ordinary acrylic nails in the name of solar nails.
You Need to Visit the Salon again Once your Natural Nails Start Growing Out.
You might think that just because there is a thick layer of solar nail mixture on, your natural nail will not grow, well that’s not the case. You would need to visit the salon periodically once your natural nail starts peeking out of the layer of solar nails.
The good news? Your nail polish won’t start chipping off, and your nail technician can easily fill out the difference, so you won’t need to worry about getting the entire layer removed.
Final Thoughts
Solar nails are a better version of normal acrylic nails, so it is a good investment if you get it done by a salon. But, you can also opt for purchasing readymade solar nail tips to save you some time or buy the ingredients and make the acrylic concoction at home. Either way, solar nails are more durable than gel or other types of acrylic nails. We don’t doubt that those who hear it for the first time might confuse it for something related to solar panels.
So when are you getting your solar nail manicure done?
