Why Do My Press On Nails Hurt?

Press-on nails eliminate the need for thought, money, effort, and time while doing the nails. It is such a foolproof method for having complex, salon-quality fingernails in seconds.

All you have to do is prepare your nails, apply the adhesive, and you are done! You now have a new look to show off.

Although press-on nails are simple and safe to apply, they may still cause irritation, discomfort, and even pain.

Why Do My Press-On Nails Hurt?

Press-on nails are a terrific way to try out new looks. Nevertheless, even if they are the least damaging and most straightforward artificial nails to install, there are still factors that make your experience unpleasant.

The glue

You may not have press-on nails unless you have some kind of glue. No matter if it is an adhesive coating on your fake nails’ back or liquid adhesive, something must be used to keep your nails on for more than two weeks. Despite that, glue itself can be problematic.

• Outdated glue

To begin, ensure that your adhesive is not out of date. Having gone bad or had a strange odor or consistency, glue should not be used on the nails. Expired glue may cause problems such as pain or discomfort.

Furthermore, you will not see long-term results. Also, outdated glue may weaken your nails and contaminate the sidewall and cuticles.

• Harsh ingredients

Another glue concern is that you can be allergic to one of the glue’s ingredients, such as alcohol, ethyl methacrylate, and others. Allergic responses can result in irritation, stinging, redness, and other symptoms.

Furthermore, whether you are sensitive to the ingredients or use the adhesive regularly, you may experience an unpleasant response. To avoid responses from the liquid adhesive, use press-on nails with an adhesive lining.

• Use too much glue

Additionally, you may be applying too much glue. Applying the liquid glue in layers can result in an unpleasant coating that puts more pressure on the nails.

Using the correct quantity of adhesive the first time is critical since you do not want the nail to break off and require you to add another coat of adhesive. Glue accumulation generates a strange residue that may be far too much for your nail to bear when combined with artificial nails.

Leaving your nail prep habits out

Regarding applying press-on nails, many people underestimate the importance of nail prep.

On the other hand, the wrong nail routine can cause discomfort and pain once you apply your nails. It may become painful without a protective coating, and the press-on nails will break off quicker, mainly if you do hands-on work.

Wrong filing

It is essential to file your nails before applying press-on nails. You may want to make a smooth and even surface for the glue to adhere to. Also, you want to create well-kept and short nails that do not interfere with your falsies.

Despite that, filing your nails may be exceedingly harmful. Tenderness can result from vigorously filing the nail plate. Furthermore, applying adhesive and a press-on nail can cause even more agony on top of that sore feeling.

Forget the cuticles

Press-on nails may be difficult to apply with distressed cuticles. Hence, cuticle care is essential for keeping the nail plate protected and healthy. Furthermore, you must gently press them back so that the artificial nail may settle properly.

You do not want to glue and put an artificial nail on overgrown cuticles. Furthermore, avoid clipping your cuticles to prevent cuts and bleeding, which can become more uncomfortable when glue and press-on are used.

Leaving out the base coat

Before applying the adhesive, apply a small layer of the base coat and leave it dry to protect your nails. The base layer may create a barrier between the glue and your nail, decreasing pain and irritation.

Apply and remove incorrectly

Several people are hesitant to believe the durability of press-on nails. Thus, they misapply their nails to guarantee they do not come loose. As a result, the technique of application you utilize is critical to their longevity and if they create discomfort.

• Too much pressure

Excessive pressure may damage the real nail and produce a shaky foundation for the artificial nails. Excessive pushing, pinching, and pressure can cause a sensitive and uncomfortable nail bed. One more problem is that individuals assume their nails can be pulled off anytime. Nevertheless, it is not correct.

• Incorrect method

Also, you had better reconsider when you remove false nails by simply popping, ripping, or peeling them off the nail base.

Attempting to remove the nails risks pulling off the initial layer of your regular nail, which is a hurt you do not want to experience. Sadly, some people pull out their nails and instantly apply a new press-on to them, causing discomfort and wondering, “why do my nails hurt for no reason?”

Injuries and infections

Nails are a reflection of your entire health. Therefore, if anything is happening with them, you need to check up, and the most prevalent cause of problems is an inflammation of your nail itself.

Infected nail beds may be caused by damaged cuticles, outdated products, or contact with a strong external factor. In more extreme cases, infected nails may guide you to the leading cause of your painful press-on nails.

How Do You Fix Press-On Nail Damage?

In case your press-on nails get hurt, here are some steps you can take to solve this problem:

Avoid using polish and press-on

When your nails are damaged, they may mend on their own, but it can take several days.

Also, apply no nail paint or even other press-on nails for a few days to allow them to mend. Use several cuticle oil drops as your nails mend to offer them a healthy sheen.

Keep the nails short

Because the natural nails can be brittle after removing the press-on nails, trimming them short can help prevent peeling or breaking.

File your nails using a nail clipper to make them reasonably short. Once the nails are now short, you may use a nail file to flatten away rough edges.

Buff your nails

Indeed, press-on nails may rip off portions of the nails, leaving them jagged and rough. You may restore some damage to the nails by carefully buffing them.

Slowly smooth away any rough places on the nails with a tiny buffing square.

Restore lost moisture 

You should apply moisturizer to both hands after removing your press-on nails. Also, reapply when needed until the nails heal. Always have a little container of hand cream on hand so that you may reapply it as needed.

Apply a top layer

You should apply a few transparent top layers to the nails before your next press-on coat to safeguard them. Doing so will help guarantee that the nails and the nail glue are separated.

How To Avoid Hurting Yourself With Press-On Nails?

Make use of decent adhesive

First, check the components list, and then perform a test the day before you plan to apply your nails to verify you are not allergic to the adhesive. In addition, your adhesive should be applied with care and in the amount indicated.

Correctly file your nails

The first step is to file the nails as thin as you can before putting the press-on. Doing so will help reduce the force required to adhere to them and makes them less prone to pop off.

Also, filing the nails carefully in one direction can keep them strong enough to withstand the glue and imitation nails for a longer length of time.

Apply correctly

Applying the press-on nails correctly not only prevents you from getting hurt but also helps your nails last longer.

• Cut your real nails short for the most durable press-on manicure.
• Wash your nails using water and soap to guarantee a clean surface for the press-on manicure. If you have the cotton ball, use it to clean your nails with rubbing alcohol. After that, properly dry the nails.
• Selecting the nail sizes is necessary so that you are not searching for your size on wet glue on the hands. Cut the sides of your press-on nail to suit the nail beds for a consistently better fit.
• Coat your entire nail with adhesive, line your press-on nails with the nail bed and push down gently for 20 seconds.
• You can paint the nails if you want. If you used transparent press-on rather than pre-painted ones, you might color them when the adhesive has dried. A top coat is required to ensure that the polish works as long as the press-on.

Remove correctly

Regarding how to remove press-on nails, you should apply one of these methods to avoid hurting your nails.

Make use of a cuticle pusher and solvents

Dip the nails in soapy and warm water

Dipping the press-on nails in soap and a warm water bowl may aid in their removal.

• In a dish, combine warm water and several hand soap drops. Put your fingernails in the dipping nails for about 10 minutes.
• As nails are immersed in the soapy water, gently rock them back and forth, which may aid in getting some water to the glue and loosening it.
• After 10 minutes, take the fingertips out from the water and check if you can peel your nails off.

Apply cuticle oil

Cuticle oil can also aid in the removal of press-on nails.

• Put several cuticle oil drops to the parts directly beneath your press-on nails. Allow it to soak in for several minutes
• After that, check the nails by rocking them back and forth to determine whether they are loose enough to come off.
• Unless the nail comes off easily, do not use too much pressure to force it off.

Make use of a cuticle pusher

A cuticle pusher can go underneath the nail and peel it off gradually.

• To go between your real and fake nails, just use the pointed tip of a wooden cuticle pusher.
• Next, roll it back and forth carefully to free the nail.
• From the cuticle to your nail’s tip, pull the cuticle pusher down. Avoid starting at the top and work your way down.

Remove any remaining adhesive

• Once you have removed all the nails, go again over them and pull off any residual adhesive.
• You may also make use of the cuticle pusher to remove the glue off the nails.
• In case the adhesive does not loosen, dip the nails with warm water or use a small amount of nail paint remover using a cotton ball.

Making use of nail polish remover

Try using the nail polish remover unless you can get the press-on nails to come off using cuticle oil and warm water.

Dip the nails

• Put it into a dish, soak your nails up to the cuticles in the liquid.
• Allow your nails to rest for at least several minutes. Take out your fingertips after several minutes to test if the artificial nails are available to peel off.
• Remember that acetone-containing nail polish removers may dissolve the glue, but non-acetone-containing removers cannot.

Apply nail polish remover to the press-on nails’ edges

• You can use a cotton ball to dab the nail paint remover on the nails.
• Try getting the nail polish remover under your artificial nail to release the adhesive.

Remove your nails

• If you observe the nails easing up when the nail polish remover begins to act, begin tugging the nails.
• If they are loose enough, you can use your fingers to pull at them or use a cuticle pusher to pull at the nail gradually.
• Do it gently, even when your nail appears to be loose. Removing a press-on off too rapidly might induce nail damage.

Wash and hydrate your hands

Because the acetone in nail polish remover might dry up your skin, ensure to moisturize it after taking the press-on nails off.

• Use warm water and mild soap to wash your nails and hands.
• Next, thoroughly dry them and apply hand moisturizer to your nails and hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make your press-on nails last long?

Press-on nails are available in a wide range of colors and designs, and when properly placed, they can last anywhere from 10-14 days. 

They can, however, come off or chip in several days in some cases, which is frequently due to incorrect application or poor maintenance after the press-on nails have been done.

Here are some tips you should follow to avoid your press-on nails falling off:

• Apply rubbing alcohol to remove any residual natural oil from your nails before putting your falsies. Even the smallest quantity of residual polish or natural oil would compromise the glue’s integrity.
• It is crucial to assess your nails and choose a press-on set fitting them. When your press-on nails are too small or too big, you may have trouble holding them on for an extended time.
• Also, it is critical to moisturize the hands, particularly your cuticles, before applying press-on nails.
• Using a top coat may give the nail a glossy and professional look and assist your real nail and falsie stick longer. Topcoats strengthen the nail surfaces, making them more resistant.
• Avoid coming into touch with water for 2 hours on a minimum after application. You can get your manicure done at night, right before you go to bed, for the best result.
• Although your press-on nail kit can include adhesive, it is always good to have another one on hand, mainly if it is a reputable brand. Keep a bottle of adhesive with you to use when any press-on comes off.
• Rubbing cuticle oil into the fingertips is usually beneficial. It aids in the improvement of your nails’ health.

We highly recommend you watch this video for further information:

Do press-on nails hurt your nails?

If you are reckless, the answer is yes. The majority of the harm may occur when you are excessively hard in the removal process.

Soaking the nail in pure acetone for up to 10 minutes is a popular method for removing press-on.

However, acetone may be quite drying to the cuticles and nails if used for an extended time. To combat the drying effects, we recommend applying an intensive hand moisturizer as well as cuticle serum.

Also, simply ripping off the press-on nails may damage your real nails. The adhesive you utilize is intended to bond the press-on nail to the natural nail.

Ripping it off may result in removing some of the real nail layers. Worst, your nail may lift off the nail bed due to the force used to yank it off.