Artificial nail enhancements usually require at least a little bit of length of the natural nail before application. Longer nails provide a bigger surface for work and more precision. However, it is not always possible to have longer nails due to a variety of reasons. Some people suffer from soft and brittle nails, others cannot afford to maintain a long manicure because of their job, for example. The good news is, short nails do not necessarily mean inability to enjoy a nice and well-sculptured manicure.

​

The question of today’s article is if you can put acrylic nails on very short nails? Yes, you can. Acryl can be placed on very short nails as long as the surrounding skin is healthy and is not swollen, and it is unbroken.

Acrylic is a very good solution for clients that suffer from soft and brittle nails that break easily or who cannot keep nails that are long because of the nature of their professional occupation. People who do hard manual work and are in contact with rough surfaces usually find it hard to keep their nails long. That is why applying acrylic manicure is a very good option.

​

Can I Get Nail Extensions With Short Nails?

​

The answer to this question is mostly yes, but it may depend in some cases. The difference is if you want to apply gel or acrylics.

​

• Gel extensions

​

Generally, it is possible to apply gel extensions on very short nails as long as there is enough nail plate for the gel to hold on to. If the nail is bitten all the way to the quick, then gel application would not be possible.

Your nails need to have a bit of length to provide a solid base for the artificial enhancement. The gel requires something reliable to stick to.

If you bite your nails, try to refrain from doing so for at least one week before you visit your nail technician. It is better to make sure the nails have grown a bit to ensure the successful application of the gel.

​

• Acrylic nails

​

Acrylic nails can be applied on bitten, short, brittle and soft nails as long as the surrounding skin is not swollen and is left undamaged and unbroken. In fact, acrylics sometimes work best on short nails (or bitten nails) as they create the perfect illusion for healthy and unbitten nail plates.

​

Another benefit of applying acrylics on shorter nails is that as the nail eventually grows, the acryl will not look shockingly and unnaturally long.

If you have doubts about the suitability of your nails for artificial extensions, the best thing to do is to consult with your nail technician what is possible and what is not to be done. Professionals are usually very experiences and have seen all kinds of cases and are able to tell what can be done almost immediately.

​

Apart from nice aesthetics, artificial enhancements have other benefits. They prevent nail biting, first because the materials are hard and nearly impossible to bite off and second, the taste is awful. The taste is a reason enough not to bite your nails.

​

Is It Better To Have Long Or Short Nails For Acrylics?

​

The answer to this is, neither.

​

Acrylics are perfectly possible to apply on short nails provided that there is a base solid enough for the acryl to get attached to.

If your natural nails are long, then the acryl application will eventually grow a lot and the whole nail will become very long. If your own nail has been too long initially, then the acrylics can reach shocking lengths.

The same will happen if you keep the acryl for more than 6 weeks and you go only for refills. Then, your manicure will become very long as the natural nail grows.

​

As already mentioned, acryl can be applied on short nails as long as the skin around has been left undamaged.

Sometimes, it is even easier to apply acryl on shorter nails because of artificial tips. Tips are sometimes applied better on shorter nails.

However long or short your nails are, your technician will advise what approach is to be taken at your visit to the salon.

​

How Do You Apply Acrylic On Short Nails?

​

Acrylics are applied on short nails with 10 easy steps! In fact, the steps are just the same as for when the nails are not that short.

​

1. Push your cuticles back

​

Proper preparation is key to the successful application of any nail enhancement! Start off with pushing your cuticles back clean and neat, as much as you can. Use a softening gel at first to make your skin delicate. Then with a cuticle pusher gently move them backwards to the base of the nail.

​

2. Buff the shine away

​

Every nail has a natural shininess to it that needs to be removed to help the acryl stick better. With a buffer nail file the nail plate thoroughly until any shininess and oiliness are gone. Your nails should feel abrased and not too smooth. After that, file the desires shape if your nails are long enough for it.

​

3. Wipe the dust away

​

Applying acryl on clean nails is essential to prevent the accumulation of moist and creation of infections later on. After your have filed your nails, thoroughly remove the remaining dust with a brush and alcohol or acetone. This is also going to disinfect your nails.

 

4. Dehydrate and apply primer

​

Apply additional dehydrator designed for nails to remove oiliness. After that, apply primer to help avoid your acrylics from lifting.

​

5. Apply a sculpting form

​

 If your nails are too short, you will have to apply an artificial sculpting form before the acryl itself. Make sure it lines up precisely with your nail plate. Apply the desired length and shape, if necessary.

​

6. Apply the acryl

​

Now it is time to apply the acryl itself. Start with a medium size bid and apply along the nail plate. Blend as much as you can with your natural nail, press down and sculpt until it reaches the desired shape.

​

7. File and buff

​

After the acryl has dried off completely, file your nails to give them the shape and length your want and then buff them. Buffing is done for the same reason as when your do it before the application of the acryl – to remove the shininess and make the surface rougher so the polish that follows will have something a surface to hold on to.

​

8. Clean with alcohol

​

To remove any residual dust and bacteria, wipe out your nails with pure alcohol. Acetone is not recommended as you risk damaging the acryl.

​

9. Paint

​

You have now reached the best part – painting and designing! After your finish with the nail polish, apply a top coat and dry. And you are done! Enjoy your manicure!

​

Commonly Asked Questions About Acrylics

​

Many customers are reluctant to take that first step and do acrylics nails due to many misconceptions about the method. The common understanding is that acrylics are very harmful to the natural nail and destroy it. This statement is partly true and nails are damaged, if the acrylics are not applied and removed properly.

That is why in this article we have decided to answer some frequently asked questions about acrylics.

​

Do Acrylics Damage Your Own Nails?

​

No, they do not. Acrylics do not damage your natural nail as long as it is applied correctly and proper care is taken afterwards. Proper removal is also very important to prevent injuries of the natural nail.

 

Should You Choose Gel or Acrylics?

​

This largely depends on the state of your nails and your lifestyle. Acryl is the strongest and most reliable nail enhancement and if you have very soft and brittle nails, then acryl is recommended. If your nails are strong on their own, then gel is a perfectly good option. Also, if you do lots of manual work and your nails are at a constant risk of breaking, then it is better to apply acryl.

​

What Lasts Longer – Gel Or Acrylics?

​

Acrylics. Gels have to be completely replaced with a new set once a month while acrylics last for up to 8 weeks, if your do refills.

​

Can I Do Acrylic Nails At Home?

​

Yes, you can. As long as you have the necessary equipment and skills, you are good to go.

​

How Long Do Acrylics Last?

​

With the proper care, they last for up to 8 weeks without having to get a new set.

​

Do Acrylics Cause Infections?

​

Yes, they do. If there has been dirt left between your nail and the acryl, moist will gather eventually and create a fruitful environment for infections. That is why it is very important to disinfect your nails diligently before sealing with acryl.

​

Can You Have Acrylics Constantly?

​

It is recommended to have a break from acrylics every 2-3 months to allow your nails to breathe and restore their natural shininess and oiliness.

​

Conclusion

​

It is perfectly possible to apply acrylics on short nails provided that the surrounding skin is not damaged or swollen. In fact, sometimes applying acryl on short nails is easier.

You can also get any nail extension on short nails. The only case when this is not possible is when the nails are bitten to the quick. In that case, applying gel is not possible.

​

The methods after which acrylics are applied on short nails are pretty much the same as when the nails are not that short:

​

1. Push your cuticles back

2. Buff the shine away

3. Wipe the dust away

4. Dehydrate and apply primer

5. Apply a sculpting form

6. Apply the acryl

9. Paint

8. Clean with alcohol

7. File and buff

8. Paint

 

Finally, we decided to finish the article by answering a few frequently asked questions.

 

Acrylics do not damage the nails; the choice between gel and acrylics depends on your nails and lifestyle; acrylics last longer than gel; acrylics cause infections, if applied on dirty nail; it is good to have a break from acrylics every two-three months.