QuestionI got solar nails for the first time ever about 2 weeks ago. I have read that they should be refilled about every 3 weeks, so haven't gone to do that yet. However, most of them have started lifting on the sides and bottom/back of my nails. Does this mean I will have to get a whole new set when I do go in?
AnswerSo-called "solar nails" are just acrylic nails, so they aren't going to wear any differently than most acrylics will. Many professionals still recommend filling every 2 weeks for acrylics, so you may have just overshot the amount of time they could go without a fill.
During the spring and early summer, fingernails (and hair) grow much faster than the rest of the year. It has to do with the fact that our cellular production is governed by the amount of daylight we get each day. This time of year, we start getting more sun and many of us get zapped with Spring Fever and start going outside more and getting more exercise too. This means our nails go on a major growth spurt, so even if 3 weeks is usually a good interval for getting a fill, you might have to see the salon every 2 weeks for a couple of months every spring!
There is a reason that fills are recommended at the intervals that they are. With acrylic, for example, we usually recommend every 2 weeks. Product technology has advanced considerably in the last few years and many pros are now able to recommend a 3 week interval; but we don't just arbitrarily say "2 weeks" just to get you in more often and make more money. (In fact, those of us who stay pretty busy would LOVE to have clients go 3 or 4 weeks between fills so we can accept more clients! I hate turning away new customers!) As your nails grows out from the cuticle area it starts to change shape. The nail gets wider and usually flattens out a bit at the widest point and then many people's nails start to curl up as they grow out from the free edge. Nail products are all plastics. Every one of them, even polish, is a type of plastic. Some, like gels, are much more flexible while others, such as resin (nail glue) used for silk wraps, are very rigid and won't flex. High quality acrylics have become much more flexible with new technology, but they still don't have much give. So as the nail changes shape, the product can't bend and flex with the natural nail. For most people, 2 to 3 weeks is as long as much new growth of the natural nail as the product on top of it can take before all that flexing makes the product start to lift around the edges.
Just some extra info in case it's interesting.
So I would definately go get them filled. Then pay attention and get your next fill before they start to lift again. As the summer gets into full swing you should see your nails start to grow a little slower and maybe you can stretch it to 3 weeks again until next spring.
