Have you ever wondered, “Why do acrylic nails hurt the first day?” If yes, check this post for further information!
Acrylic nails are both attractive and functional in terms of strengthening nails. Although acrylics make nails look beautiful and beautiful, it sometimes makes users uncomfortable with mild pain on the first day after finishing.
Why do acrylic nails hurt the first day? There are a variety of reasons why this occurs. Let’s have a look at this article!
Can Acrylic Nails Make You Hurt?
It is based on how your nails have been processed.
On the one hand, it is perfectly typical for the first several days. There are a variety of reasons why your acrylic nails hurt on the first day, which we will go over in-depth in the next section.
On the other hand, it will be abnormal if the pain persists for many days after having done it. Although several individuals consider them “weight” at first, the pain is also not a step for having the nails done.
Therefore, visit a nail tech, drugstore, or doctor if it persists once your finger changes color or swells.

Your acrylic nails are not supposed to hurt for a long time after having been done.
Why Do Acrylic Nails Hurt The First Day?
Reasons happen before having acrylic nails done
Have your real nails filed down
The actual nails will need to be filed down and smoothed with a buffer for acrylic nails to bond effectively and endure a long time.
It can be painful and uncomfortable for those not used to getting their nails filed down. The manicurist may have to file your natural nails’ surface to create it a little coarser for good bonding with the falsies.
Because your nails are thinner, any tugging action from the acrylic is uncomfortable. It may feel as if it is yanking on the skin.
Nail professionals can go too far while filing, which is frequently the outcome of having a treatment performed by an inexperienced technician.
Other than a temporary or permanent injury to the regular nail, the ache will fade away as your real nails grow back to their base.
Prevention: It is also critical that you read comments about beauty salons rather than simply choosing the lowest option. Conduct your research, and even if the problem persists, you might want to consider moving salons.
Not used to getting something on the nail bed
You may not be used to wearing something thicker on the nail bed unless you get your nails done regularly. The irritation is usually not felt among those wearing acrylics on a daily basis.
If you are new to this technique, it may cause a different feeling because a barrier already protects your regular nails. Therefore, you should become used to acrylic once it feels strange in one or two days.
Reasons happen during having acrylic nails done
Heavy acrylic
A small amount of acrylic is needed once your expert adds acrylic to your natural nails and the nail’s tip. However, several nail procedures use too much substance, resulting in thicker acrylics than they need to be.
If the acrylic nails are thick, they can cause pain on the first day since your normal nails are not used to carrying that much weight. Once you have got used to getting them linked to the real nails, they should be fine.
Prevention: Acrylic nails should be put in thin layers for optimal results, which provides a more natural-looking and puts less pressure on the nails.
Too much force while fixing nails
If a manicurist is overweight, your nails may be subjected to undue pressure. Although this is not what they do on purpose, the added pressure may cause you to feel uneasy after applying the acrylic nails, lasting up to a day.
Prevention: As a result, if you start to feel pain, tell your nail expert so that they may minimize the amount of stress they put on the nails.
Bad glues
Not all glues are suitable to be used on nails. Several nail types of glue have been outlawed. On the other hand, a few nail specialists still use them since they are what they have access to or what they need.
Specific chemical components in these glues cause allergic reactions in certain persons, including benzoyl peroxide accelerator, ethyl methacrylate, hydroquinone, etc. Aside from allergy, this pain might linger anywhere from a few hours to a day.
Prevention: Your nail bed might become sore, painful, and irritated due to the wrong products. Therefore, be on the lookout for any signs of an allergic response.
Acid nail primers
Acid-based nail primers function by creating small holes in the nail plates, allowing the acrylic to adhere to the nails easily.
Although acid-based primers are pretty common, they may cause discomfort and irritation if applied in overabundance or fragile nails.
Prevention: As a result, we recommend applying an acid-free nail primer.
Damaged nail bed
Your nail bed might be damaged when preparing it for acrylic without the manicurist realizing it.
Several people have broken nails, which is among the main reasons they see a nail expert fill with fake nails. The acrylic weight on the injured nail, on the other hand, would cause you to be in constant pain.
Prevention: When the pain lasts longer than one day, it is advisable to see a competent manicurist and complain.
Reasons happen after having acrylic nails done
The cuticles have recently been pressed and plucked
Since the cuticles were pulled and plucked, several people experience discomfort after having acrylics. The nail cuticles are frequently pushed back to create a place for the acrylic powder applied to the normal nail bed by the manicurist.
On the first day, once the cuticles are pushed back, and the additional skin on your nails’ sides is peeled away, you may experience some irritation.
Prevention: Applying cuticle oil both pre and post having acrylics applied is a great idea, which will aid in the strengthening of the natural nails.
Naturally thin nails
Whether you have naturally thin nails and are not used to acrylic, you can experience some discomfort and pain when you get the acrylic nails done.
The added strain of wearing acrylic on top of the regular nail bed and a nail tip may make you feel uneasy for a day while the nail beds adjust to the additional weight.
Prevention: Once your nails are weak and thin, we do not suggest using acrylic nails. Rather, allow the nails to recover and regrow, and consider investing in a nail strengthener.
The drying procedure takes time
Once applying gel varnish on acrylics, you may need to firm the nails. However, it will take some time. You might experience some soreness during the first few hours after your salon appointment as the nails mend at home.
The acrylic dries up
It can take some time to get used to the feeling given by artificial nails when they dry and adhere strongly to your nail bed. It may experience discomfort and suffering as a result of the tightening sensation.
Also, it is common for individuals who have acrylic procedures for the first time or those who do not regularly have it to feel this way. Unless your normal nail is torn or broken, the pain should go away on its own within one day.
Prevention: Once the pain continues for more than one day, you should see a nail expert have the acrylic taken.
How Long May Acrylic Nails Pain Once They Have Been Applied?
The pain from acrylic nails might continue for up to three days in most cases. Nevertheless, irrespective of the reason your acrylic nails hurt, the pain will not linger long unless they have been injured physically before getting acrylics.
Mainly, you may feel the discomfort for a bit longer if this is the first time you have your nails done and the nails have not been exposed to that type of procedure previously.
If the discomfort persists after several days and does not improve, it is recommended that you visit a doctor for advice and help because there can be a more severe problem with the nails.
What Can You Do To Help Your Painful Acrylic Nails?
Several things can help you make sure the bad sensations do not last any more than they have to.
Use aloe vera gel or cuticle oil
Maintain your cuticles hydrated with aloe vera gel or cuticle oil. They will help the skin around the nail be hydrated and smooth, which will assist in alleviating the nails from the pressure and hard filing.

Using aloe vera gel may help you reduce the pain.
Use cold water
After getting acrylic nails, immersing the hands using cold water may help reduce the soreness and cool the hands.
If you are attempting to relieve pain, it does not take long; 5 minutes is enough. Do not worry because it may not harm or lift the acrylic nails.
Talk with the nail technician
The last method is to speak out if you think the manicurist is being too tough or if you are uncomfortable with how your nails are being done.
Because you are paying for your nails as well as the experience, you can deserve to be well taken care of. So, tell them if you think they are pressing too hard or causing you any pain since they may be unaware of it unless you tell them.
For instance, thick coats of acrylic might make your nails sore later, so tell your manicurist not to get them too thick once you need to avoid pain after getting your nails done.
To know what to do if your acrylic nails get hurt, do not ignore this video:
How Long Will It Take You To Become Acclimated To Acrylics?
As previously stated, one of the reasons causing your acrylic nails to hurt on the first day is that you do not get used to them.
Indeed, it may take time to get acclimated to acrylic nails, several days. At the end of the first week, we are sure you will become a professional.
Starting with a short and practical shape and length is an excellent recommendation for becoming used to acrylics, which is a terrific method to assess if you enjoy it while still performing daily duties.
If you really like them and discover that having acrylic nails is not quite as horrible as you thought, you may have them done in a significant length or a new shape the next time you have them done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should acrylic nails be worn?
If you use acrylic nails, you should wear them for six to eight weeks at a time and infill them every two to three weeks. A good set of well-cared manicures with the correct quantity of infills may last for two months or longer.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to give the nails a break and to let them breathe. Every six to eight weeks, you should totally remove your acrylic nails.
Since they weaken your natural nails, taking a rest helps them rehydrate and strengthen. As a result, while acrylic nails can last considerably longer than the time restriction was given, it is not advisable to wear them for a more extended than this period.
Are acrylic nails harmful to your natural nails?
Acrylic nails will not harm the natural nails, according to science. Indeed, you may soak a bit of fingernail in acrylic solution for years, and it will come out looking absolutely the same as it did once you put it in.
However, poor nail professionals are the ones who cause damage to your natural nails. Fake nails may hurt your natural nails unless they are trained to care for them or do the process appropriately.
Also, those wearing nails for long and then removing them will notice that it grows out in several months even if the nail is damaged. It is because your nails now will not look similar to how they were many years ago.
Final Thoughts
At last, the title question,
“Why do acrylic nails hurt the first day?” comes with a lot of responses. Nevertheless, acrylic nails hurt is a rare event, so do not put them off. Instead, ensuring you know what is happening is OK.Furthermore, in case the pain is severe or seems to last longer than normal, it should be addressed because it could be a sign of something more dangerous, such as an infection or allergic reaction.
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