Acrylics for Toenails: Pros, Cons, Care Tips, and More

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While acrylic nails are well-known for enhancing the appearance of the fingernails, they offer equally compelling benefits for the toenails. 

They let you show off strong, stylish nails on both your hands and feet.

But how exactly do acrylics for toenails work?

In this article, we’ll explain the pros and cons of applying acrylics to the toenails, guide you through the steps involved in the process, and share essential aftercare tips to keep your toenail acrylics vibrant and long-lasting.

Continue reading to learn more!

Can You Put Acrylics on Toenails?

Acrylics can indeed be applied to the toenails.

Applying acrylics to the toenails follows a process similar to their application to the fingernails, which involves applying a blend of liquid monomer and acrylic powder onto the nail beds.

Some also apply nail tips or nail forms to the toenails before applying the acrylic mixture.

Many salons offer the service of putting short and long acrylic nails on the toes, but you can apply them yourself if you prefer.

Why Do People Like Acrylic Pedicures?

The main reason people get acrylics for their toenails is because acrylics can give their feet a smooth, polished look. 

In fact, the before-and-after results of getting acrylic toenails can be quite striking. 

Before applying acrylics to toenails, the natural nails might appear uneven. Cuticles could be overgrown, and the nail surface might have imperfections.

Now acrylic application involves pushing back the cuticles, shaping the toenails to perfection, and giving them a stunning, picture-perfect color (or even design!).

So after this, the toenails look neat, flawless, and beautifully sculpted.

Pros and Cons of Acrylics on Toenails

Before deciding if you should get short or long toenail acrylics, it’s essential to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks.

Acrylics can enhance the appearance of your toes, but there are also a few disadvantages to keep in mind. 

Here’s a breakdown of their pros and cons:

Pros of Acrylics for Toenails

• Acrylic toenails are resilient and less prone to chipping or breaking than other types of nail enhancements.

• You can experiment with various lengths, shapes, and designs, giving you the freedom to choose a look or style that matches your style and personality.

• With fabulous toenail acrylics, you can feel more put-together and confident in your appearance, especially during occasions when your feet are exposed.

• Acrylics can last for weeks, ensuring that your toenails stay stylish longer. 

Cons of Acrylics for Toenails

• Incorrect application or removal can weaken your natural nails, which is why it’s crucial to follow the right steps.

• Regular upkeep and fills are required to maintain their appearance.

• Some individuals might experience allergies to acrylic products.

How To Do Your Acrylic Toenails

The allure of crafting at-home versions of acrylics for toenails has captivated many nail enthusiasts.

A DIY acrylic pedicure allows you to use toxin-free nail products and even try different looks.

If you like this idea, follow these simple steps to achieve salon-worthy acrylics for your toenails in the comfort of your own home:

Step 1: Gather Your Essentials

The first step is to ensure you have all the necessary supplies within arm’s reach.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Nail tips (optional)
• Nail dehydrator
• Acid-free primer
• Nail glue
• Buffer
• Acrylic powder
• Monomer
• Acrylic brush
• Toe separators
• Lint-free wipes
• Nail polish (optional)

Step 2: Clean Your Toenails

Clean your hands, feet, and tools thoroughly. Maintaining cleanliness is essential to prevent any potential infections.

Step 3: Prep Your Toenails

If you’re wearing nail polish, remove it from your toenails with acetone. Next, trim and file your toenails to your desired length. Gently push back your cuticles and remove any hangnails or excess skin.

Then apply a nail dehydrator to get rid of excess oil and moisture that can keep your acrylics from adhering to your nails. Morovan Nail Prep Dehydrator is a great choice due to its gentle but effective formula.

Apply an acid-free primer next. This aids the adhesion of the acrylic to the natural nail surface.

Afterward, use a nail buffer to gently buff the surface of your toenails. This will also help improve the adhesion of the acrylics to your nails. The Mia Secret Xtrabond Primer is a great choice to ensure you don’t burn the skin around your nails or cause nail discoloration.

Step 4: Secure the Tips (Optional)

If you choose to use nail tips, apply them using nail glue and ensure a snug fit for each toenail.

You can use Rosy Finch Clear Toenail Tips. These acrylic toenail tips are durable, lightweight, and convenient to apply.

However, you can also skip this step if you want an acrylic overlay on your toes, which means the acrylic mixture will be directly applied to your natural nails without using nail tips.

Step 5: Apply the Acrylic

Before anything else, use toe separators to prevent your toenails from touching each other and potentially smudging the freshly applied acrylic.

Once you’ve done this, dip your acrylic brush into your liquid monomer, then dip it into acrylic powder to form a small acrylic bead. The consistency should neither be too liquid nor overly firm.

Apply the bead to your toenails with an acrylic brush, then use the brush to spread the acrylic evenly, sculpt it, and smooth out the surface to ensure there are no bumps. 

Step 6: Allow To Dry

Give your acrylics time to air-dry thoroughly. This step is crucial to avoid smudging and preserve the integrity of your pedicure.

The drying time will depend on your chosen acrylic product, although you can expect it to dry in 10 minutes. 

Step 7: Buff and File the Acrylic Nails

After the acrylic has dried completely, buff the surface of the nails with a buffer or an electric nail drill to smooth it out and file the edges to make sure they look perfect.

Then remove the dust from buffing with lint-free wipes.

Step 8: Add Designs (Optional)

Now comes the fun part! Once your nails are completely free of dust, you can add any acrylic toenail design of your choosing. 

You can use a thin brush and nail polish to create French tips, polka dots, florals, or any nail art idea for acrylic toenails that appeals to you. 

Leave the polish to dry. 

Check out this video of a full set application for a visual guide:

How To Remove Acrylics From Toenails

When it’s time to bid farewell to your acrylic pedicure, a simple and effective method involves using acetone to dissolve the acrylic.

To remove acrylic toenails, follow these steps:

Step 1: Use Acetone

File or wipe off any existing polish with acetone. For the remaining polish, soak a cotton ball in acetone and apply it to your nail area. You can then wrap the treated area with tin foil or use a reusable silicone nail cap.

Allow this setup to remain for approximately half an hour. Adjust the time if the acrylic is thicker and requires more time.

Step 2: Remove the Acrylic

After the designated time, gently use a cuticle pusher to remove the layer of acrylic from your nails.

Step 3: Clean Your Nails

Use an acetone-soaked cotton ball one more time to thoroughly remove any remaining residue, leaving your nails clean.

Step 4: Apply Cuticle Oil and Lotion

The use of acetone may leave your nails and skin feeling a bit parched.

Combat dryness by applying lotion to the skin around your nails and using cuticle oil on your toenails.

Care Tips for Your Acrylic Toenails

Maintaining the well-being and appearance of your acrylics for toes requires adherence to straightforward yet impactful care guidelines.

Consider these acrylic toenail care tips to safeguard the condition of your toenails:

Choose a Suitable Length

Go for a comfortable length for your acrylic toenails. Excessively long nails can press against your shoes, leading to discomfort and pain.

Choosing short acrylic nails for your toes may be a more comfortable option.

Shape Mindfully

When sculpting your acrylic toenails, opt for curved shapes that mirror the natural shape of your nails, such as oval or round. 

Steer clear of sharp, pointed shapes like square, coffin, or stiletto nails.

Acrylic nails in these shapes are prone to catching onto shoes or socks, potentially inducing harm and discomfort.

Choose Appropriate Footwear

It’s best to opt for slippers, sandals, or any open-toed shoes whenever you do a pedicure with acrylic nails.

Closed shoes disrupt airflow, promoting moisture accumulation and sweat. This environment creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, increasing the risk of potential infections.

Aside from this, if you wear footwear that exerts excessive pressure on your toes may result in ingrown toenails, which will cause pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Acrylic Nails Safe for Toenails?

In general, acrylics can be safely applied to and worn on your toenails. 

That said, it’s important to note that there are risks associated with improper acrylic application and poor maintenance, including fungal infections and pain and discomfort.

However, these potential risks can be effectively prevented and managed by ensuring proper application and diligent care of your acrylic toenails.

Adhering to the guidelines given by your nail tech and practicing good hygiene will enable you to enjoy the aesthetic benefits of acrylics while minimizing these associated risks.

How Long Do Acrylic Toenails Stay On?

Acrylic toenails can last for a few weeks.

While acrylics are sturdy, they will inevitably wear, lift, or outgrow their utility, given their non-natural composition.

Generally, acrylic toenails can remain intact for about three to four weeks before they need a nail fill.

However, this duration will vary depending on these factors:

• Nail shape
• Nail length
• Nail product used
• Choice of footwear
• Activity level
• Maintenance

Fun fact: Acrylic toenails require fewer fill-ins than acrylics on fingernails.

This difference is due to the slower growth rate of the toenails in comparison to the fingernails.

How Much Do Acrylic Toenails Cost?

Since a fake toenail pedicure requires more time and skill than applying acrylics to fingernails, so its cost is slightly higher than an acrylic mani.

Typically, if you choose to get acrylic toenails at a salon, a full set ranges between $35 and $75. This depends on the package you opt for and the salon’s location.

For fill-ins, expect to pay half the cost of the initial application.

Now DIY acrylics for toenails are often more inexpensive than salon acrylic pedicures.

You can get a complete acrylic nail kit for more than half the price of a salon pedi, and it will already include everything you need for the DIY process.

This includes fake toenail tips, base coat, top coat, nail buffer, nail file, nail separator, and cuticle pusher.

A good choice for a nail kit with all the essentials is the Saviland Toenail Kit.

Will My Toenail Grow if I Put Acrylic on It?

Certainly! Acrylics won’t halt nail growth.

When you apply acrylics to your toenails, they will continue to grow under the layers of acrylic.

Why Does Acrylic Hurt My Toenails?

Because acrylic nails are more rigid than your natural nails, using acrylic on your toenails can push them into your skin. This can lead to painful ingrown toenails. 

To avoid this problem, wear open-toed shoes instead of closed-toed ones. Next time, carefully file your sidewalls and don’t apply thick layers of acrylic.

Does Acrylic Help With Toenail Fungus?

Covering up toenail fungus with acrylic nails isn’t ideal as it can lead to more problems. The moisture trapped by acrylic nails prevents your nail from breathing and staying dry.

This moisture provides a favorable environment for fungal growth. If you have a history of nail fungus, it’s advisable to steer clear of acrylics for toenails.

See a doctor to treat any nail fungus.

Can You Use Acrylics To Hide Toenail Discoloration?

Discolored toenails caused by nail products can be unsightly, which means they can affect your self-confidence.

Acrylic toenails offer a uniform and aesthetically pleasing appearance, helping you feel more comfortable and confident if you have discolored nails.

However, if the discoloration is caused by a fungal infection, it’s not advisable to use acrylics for toenails as doing so will create the ideal environment for the fungus to thrive further. 

Can You Use Acrylics for Toenails To Hide Brittleness?

Using acrylics to mask brittle or damaged toenails is not recommended.

Applying acrylics involves buffing the nails and removing them involves using acetone, both of which can end up making your already brittle nails even more fragile.

In some cases, professionals who are skilled at doing nails might be able to successfully use acrylics on toenails to conceal damage.

However, this technique requires a lot of know-how, and it’s not something that people should try on their own.

Try Acrylics for Toenails Today!

Acrylic toenails add elegance to your look and give you a pedicure that stays flawless for weeks.

Moreover, acrylics for toenails provide an ideal canvas for intricate nail art, allowing you to showcase your unique style.

So are acrylic toenails worth a shot? Absolutely!

If you don’t believe us, try them out for yourself. Enhance your beauty routine with an acrylic pedi that combines durability and creativity.

Want More Info About Nail Care?

Check out these articles:

• The Ultimate Nail-Shaping Guide for Manicure Perfection!
• Water-Based Nail Polish: The Healthier Alternative
• 10 Best Cuticle Nippers for At-Home Nail Care