Acrylic Toenails: Everything You Need to Know!

Top view of human hands in protective gloves holding woman foot with painted toenails in dark red color in eauty salon
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Acrylic nails are a type of artificial nail that is made out of a mixture of acrylic polymer and liquid monomer. They are usually applied to the fingernails, but can you put acrylics on toenails, too?

Yes, absolutely! Acrylic toenails are quickly becoming a pedicure choice!

  • Acrylic toenails are easy to do and beautiful
  • They are often used as a substitute for natural nails to produce the appearance of well-groomed, and beautiful nails. 
  • Acrylic nails are popular because they offer a variety of colors and shapes that can be customized to suit your needs. 

Acrylics also tend to last longer than other nail treatments such as gel nails or silk wraps. Acrylic toenails can be applied in a salon or home using an acrylic kit.

Here we look at everything you need to know about acrylic pedicures.


Contents

Acrylic Nails on Trend

Acrylic nails have been popular for decades, but they have been getting more attention recently because they are seen as an affordable alternative to expensive manicures and pedicures. The acrylic process can be done in a DIY fashion, and you don’t need to deal with potentially harmful UV light as you would with gel nails.

Acrylics are also used as a temporary solution for people who want to grow long natural nails. 

Acrylic nails are seen as an affordable alternative to expensive manicures and pedicures.

The most popular colors for acrylics today are pink, red, and white.

In addition, the trend is moving away from traditional clear acrylics in favor of colored acrylics because they look more attractive.


Can You Put Acrylic on Your Toenails?

Acrylic Toenail Tips

Applying acrylic forms to your toenails is a great idea for those who want to make their toes look a little more enhanced and glamorous in those beautiful open-toe shoes. Acrylics are usually used on fingernails, but they can also be used on toes to create a cool look.

You will almost certainly need to get some acrylic toenail tips, but it’s possible you may have nail tips that will fit, if you file them down and shape them enough.

Note that you should not apply acrylic nails on top of toenails that have nail fungus!

You should not apply acrylic nails on top of toenails that have nail fungus!


How Are Acrylic Toenails Different From Regular Nails?

Acrylic nails, whether they be for your fingers or toes can be molded into many different shapes and sizes. This is done by using a nail file or an electric nail drill. Acrylic nails are more durable than regular nails because they do not chip or peel easily. 

They are also thicker and stronger than regular nails, which makes them more resistant to damage.

Your natural continuously grow from your nail bed. They can be shaped into many different styles and painted in different colors. But your natural nails can not easily be grown indefinitely. Getting the length and shape you want with acrylics is easy.

The best part is they can be easily removed by soaking them in acetone. We know that many people aren’t big fans of acetone, so there are other non-acetone options for acrylic nail removal as well.


How Long Do Acrylic Toenails Last? Are They Permanent?

The lifespan of an acrylic nail depends on the type of nail and how it is cared for. There are two types of acrylic nails: hard and soft. Hard acrylics are more durable but take longer to apply, while soft acrylics are easier to apply but less durable.

Soft nails will last about two weeks, while hard ones can last up to three weeks, or even four if you take good care of them. Over time your nails will grow, and you’ll need to fill in your acrylic toenails.

Acrylic nails are not permanent and can be removed with acetone or nail polish remover. 

Acrylic nails are not permanent and can be removed with acetone or nail polish remover. 

However, there are some drawbacks to acrylic nails as well. The biggest is a potential fungal infection, which we’ll discuss below, but it’s also pretty easy to damage your nail underneath the acrylic.

Ouch!


DIY Acrylic Toenails at Home – How Simple Can It Be?

Acrylic toenails are a fun and easy way to express yourself and look great in those open-toed shoes. There are many ways to do it, but the easiest way is to do it at home. You can create different designs with nail polish and nail art accessories for both your fingers and toes! 

For toenails, you’ll need some acrylic toenail tips 

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Then, if you want to make them look more professional, you can add some acrylic nails. All you need are some tools and supplies as well as a high-quality, well-maintained acrylic brush and you can start doing your nails today!

Always follow the instructions of the specific kit that you are using. But here is a general step-by-step process of applying acrylic nails that will help you achieve perfect DIY acrylic nails at home without the help of a professional:

  1. Trim and file your natural nails before applying any nail polish or acrylic. This will ensure that your nails are in their best shape for application and prevent any damage from occurring to the natural nail during application.
  2. Apply your acrylic toenail form on top of your natural nail using nail glue (not Krazy glue or some other glue!)
  3. File off any excess to properly shape the nail
  4. Acrylic toenail polish is applied by painting the acrylic nail with acrylic paint that is thicker than nail polish and then covering it in a clear top coat. 
  5. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
  6. Apply one or two more layers of acrylic paint with your acrylic brush if necessary, letting each layer dry before applying the next one.
  7. Use an angled brush or toothpick dipped in acetone or polish remover and gently remove the excess polish from around the edges of your nails. Ensure that there is no polish on the cuticle.
  8. Let dry overnight for best results.

Many people are looking for ways to apply acrylic nails at home because they don’t have time or money to visit professional nail salons whenever they want their nails done.

There are many tutorials on the internet on how to do this, but you should be aware that not all of them work well or may even be dangerous for your nail health. Be sure to follow the instructions of your kit


Protect Your Acrylic Toenails From Damage

Acrylic nails are a great way to get long and strong nails. However, they can be hard to maintain. Here are some tips to keep your acrylic nails from breaking:

  • Consider the shoes you wear when you have acrylic nails. Make sure that your nails aren’t constantly being pressed up against the toe box, putting unnecessary pressure on the nails.
  • Use a base coat and top coat every time you paint your nails with polish if you have acrylics.
  • When you get out of the shower, make sure you pat your nails dry with a towel before putting on socks or slippers. You need to avoid getting water trapped under your nails, which could lead to gross toenail fungus.

Wearing open-toed shoes or sandals is a great way to help make sure your nails are not exposed to too much water and dirt which can wear down the acrylic and cause it to chip off.

Wearing open-toed shoes or sandals is a great way to help make sure your nails are not exposed to too much water and dirt which can wear down the acrylic and cause it to chip off.

Be careful not to pull off the acrylic nails, as this will cause damage to your natural nail bed and increase pain the next time you wear them.


Risk of Fungal Infection

The risk of fungal infection from acrylic nails is pretty significant. This is because you or your nail tech has to apply a base coat, an acrylic powder, and then the hardener to create the desired shape. 

During this process, the hands and fingers are used to mix and press down the mixture onto the nail bed. Unfortunately, using the hands in this way means bacteria from the hands can transfer under the acrylic nail, where they can fester and multiply quickly.

Moreover, acrylic toenails are commonly applied with a brush or spatula that has been used on other people’s nails before. The brush also transfers bacteria from one customer’s nail bed to another’s, which can lead to infections such as Staphylococcus.

Nail fungus can commonly occur on toenails, and is commonly discovered when your nail smell after removing the acrylics. It is caused by an organism called dermatophyte, which can be found in the soil and human skin. The fungus enters through a break in the nail and starts to grow under or on top of it. The toenail will get a white or yellow cast under the nail.

The risk of fungal infection increases when you apply acrylic toenails because they are not healthy for your foot. Acrylic nails are made from a mixture of chemicals, such as monomers, solvents, pigments, and plasticizers that can cause fungal infections if they come into contact with your skin or nail bed.

Furthermore, the combination of sweat and natural heat also allows bacteria and fungus to grow rapidly. 

The risk of fungal infection increases when you apply acrylic toenails because they are not healthy for your foot.


Cost of Getting Acrylic Toenails

The cost of getting acrylic toenails is not a one-time fee. The cost will depend on the salon you go to, how often you get them done, how often you get them filled in, and how long they last. It typically ranges from $30-$150 per visit.

At the same time, a full set may cost between $40-60, and if you’re going to have the salon remove them, you’ll have to pay for that, too!

This cost will vary by location, the reputation of the salon, etc.


Conclusion

The invention of acrylic nails was an instant success due to their durability and versatility. Acrylic nails can be used for various purposes, including nail art, nail enhancements, and as an alternative to natural fingernails or toenails when they just don’t look so good. 

So if you’re ready to make your toenails look amazing, go ahead and get started on your acrylic toenail journey!

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).