8 Nail and Hand Myths: Busted

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8 Nail and Hand Myths: Busted

You can’t believe everything you hear. Test your knowledge with these 8 common nail and hand myths that are totally false!

Myth 1: Primer kills fungus. False.
Some companies abroad have claimed that primer stops lifting and therefore prevents fungus from getting under nails and enhancements. While primer will keep enhancements down more securely, thus reducing the chances of new fungal infections, primer will not cure fungus that’s already there.

Myth 2: Nail enhancements should be removed once a year to let the nails breathe. False.
Nails are dead cells, like hair; they don’t need to breathe. The nail beds do need oxygen—but they get this from blood supply, not the air.

Myth 3: Gels can only be used for overlays or on tips because they’re “runny.” False.
Many gels can run into cuticles, but that doesn’t mean despair. Look for a gel with a higher viscosity, and even try flash curing between coats.

Myth 4: You’ll get big knuckles if you crack them all the time. False.
Many will be relieved to hear that this is not true. Cracking knuckles only pops the air pockets between the joints; it does not make the knuckles larger, and has no correlation with arthritis.

Myth 5: Gel nails are not as strong as acrylic nails. False.
Acrylic may be harder than gel, but not necessarily stronger or more durable. Both hold up under wear incredibly well, and the specific hardness varies from brand to brand.

Myth 6: White spots on the fingernails are due to calcium deficiency. False.
These white spots, called leukonychia, are usually caused by injury to the nail matrix. Occasionally, they can also be a sign of infection or a skin condition.

Myth 7: Acrylics ruin natural nails. False.
The newest acrylic systems have taken us a long way – they’ve been engineered to be even better for nails than acrylic products of the past. If anything, improper techniques by a tech – heavy filing or drilling – is what causes damage to the nail.

Myth 8: Nails must be square-shaped for enhancements to perform at peak strength. False.
The strength of the nail actually depends on the apex or upper arch, where product should be thickest and then tapered down towards the cuticle and sidewalls.

[Image: Thinkstock/iStock]

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