Ah, the dilemma – you’re heading to the beach and want to show off your pretty acrylic nails while swimming. You may be wondering: can I actually swim with my acrylics on? Well, never fear! While it’s not necessarily recommended due to the potential of snagging or damaging your nails, there are ways for you to protect them and enjoy a dip in the pool or ocean without worrying about ruining your mani. Let’s explore what precautions you should take if you plan on going for a swim with acrylics.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can swim with acrylic nails. However, it is important to make sure that the nails are properly sealed and waterproofed before entering the water.
Can You Swim With Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails have become popular in the fashion industry, with most women choosing to give their nails a special look. But can you swim with them? The answer is yes, but there are certain factors that need to be taken into consideration before jumping into the water.
Firstly, you should assess whether your acrylics are securely attached to your nail bed as swimming could cause them to come off if they’re not firmly adhered. You must also make sure that all of your fingers and toes are completely dry before submerging them in water. Make sure you don’t put too much pressure on the nail since this may cause it to crack or even break apart when submerged in water for an extended period of time.
If these two steps have been followed correctly then swimming with acrylic nails shouldn’t pose any problem at all! However, it’s important to always use some form of moisturizer after swimming as chlorine from pools can strip away moisture from the skin around your nails leading to dryness and irritation if left untreated for too long. It is advisable also not stay overlong in chlorinated waters as prolonged exposure might damage both natural and artificial nails alike due its corrosive nature.
Once out of the pool it’s best practice removing any residual chlorine by washing hands thoroughly with lukewarm water mixed soap or shower gel so that none remains on or under your fingertips which might lead to discoloration of both real and fake nails over time due oxidation caused by chlorine molecules within tapwater supplies found almost everywhere nowadays!
Advantages & Disadvantages of Swimming With Acrylic Nails
It is certainly possible to enjoy a dip in the pool with acrylic nails, but it is important to consider both the pros and cons. Swimming with acrylics can be a fun activity; however, there are certain aspects that may put you at risk of damaging your nails or even injuring yourself.
One of the main advantages to swimming with acrylics is that they provide an extra layer of protection against water damage while in the pool. Unlike natural nails, which can easily become corroded from chlorine and other chemicals found in pools, acrylics create a barrier between the nail and these corrosive elements. Additionally, when people swim with their natural nails exposed, it can often result in discoloration due to prolonged exposure to water which does not happen when wearing acrylics. This means that if you regularly visit swimming pools for leisurely activities such as swimming laps for exercise or recreational purposes then having them on could help protect your real nails from discoloration over time.
Unfortunately though there are also several downsides associated with this practice as well – one being that acrylics tend to make your hands feel heavier underwater due to their added weight so it might take some getting used too if you’re not used to it! In addition, because they don’t come off easily (unless applied incorrectly) removing them before going into any body of water should be avoided at all costs since it could potentially cause injury if done improperly. Finally, depending on how long you wear them for there may also be increased risks associated regarding bacterial infections such as staphylococcus because bacteria can accumulate underneath the nail bed more quickly than regular fingernails – making frequent visits back home and cleaning & changing out your set essential!
How to Protect Acrylics from Water Damage
When it comes to protecting acrylics from water damage, there are a few key steps to follow. The first and most important is to seal the surface with a good quality sealer or varnish. This will help keep moisture out of the pores of the acrylic material and prevent any water-based stains from penetrating into it. Sealers also create an extra layer between your acrylic object and the environment so that if you ever do get some kind of water on it, you won’t have as much of an issue cleaning it off afterward. Be sure to choose a sealer specifically designed for use on acrylic surfaces for best protection.
Another way to protect your acrylics from water damage is by using a protective coating such as lacquer or shellac. These coatings form an extra layer over the surface that prevents moisture from penetrating through, providing superior protection against both liquid spills and condensation build-up within enclosed spaces like display cabinets or aquariums containing fish. It’s important when applying these coatings that they are evenly spread across all surfaces in order to ensure maximum effectiveness – otherwise you could end up with uneven patches which could be more vulnerable than others when exposed to liquids or condensation buildup over time.
Finally, if storing items containing acrylic materials long term then always make sure they are kept away from direct sunlight and high humidity areas like bathrooms where dampness can cause significant damage over time even though there may be no visible issues at first glance. Placing plastic wrap around them while in storage can also be useful as this creates yet another barrier against unwanted moisture entering into their structure; plus its easily removed upon removal so won’t affect how your item looks once taken out again for use later on down the line.
Maintenance of Acrylic Nails in the Swimming Pool
For those of us who love to go for a dip in the pool, it’s important to consider how our nails will fare. Acrylic nails are especially vulnerable when exposed to water and chlorine, so special attention must be taken when using swimming pools with acrylic nails on. The most important step is pre-swim prep; if you can manage this then your nail maintenance will be much easier afterwards!
Firstly, before entering the pool make sure that all polish or top coats have been removed from your acrylic nails. These types of coatings can act as a barrier between the nail bed and the water, meaning that bacteria and other nasties can form underneath them leading to health concerns. Alongside this it is worth ensuring any cracks or splits in your acrylics are sealed with an appropriate sealant before entering the water – this helps prevent further damage while swimming due to absorption of chemicals through these hidden crevices.
Next, during swimming it is best to wear some kind of protective covering over your hands such as latex gloves or fingerless mitts – these will help keep out bacteria but also protect against abrasion from surfaces such as walls or lane lines which could affect how long they last overall. It’s also good practice not submerge them completely under water – instead just splashing around and keeping them mostly above the surface should suffice for cleaning purposes without harming their structural integrity too much. Finally after getting out it is essential to rinse off quickly with regular tap water (no soaps!) followed by applying a thin layer of cuticle oil all over each nail – this helps counteract drying effects caused by chlorinated air surrounding pools and prevents brittleness which would otherwise lead to chipping/breaking down quicker than usual in time frames as little as a few days away from proper care!