Acrylic Toenails: All You Need To Know

Most people are well aware that you can put acrylic on your fingernails (after all, acrylic nails are gorgeous).

But what about the toenails?

If you love the beauty and long-lasting wear of acrylic nails over your natural nails up top, you might wonder if you can apply it to your natural nails down below.

And if you’re asking this question, you’ve come to the right place.

Today, we’re talking all about acrylic toenails.

Can it be done? Is it safe? Is it effective? How long does it last?

Let’s find out, fashionistas.

Can You Put Acrylic on Your Toe Nails?

Although it is not super common, a professional can put acrylic on your natural toenails.

Acrylic toenails or acrylic toes are mostly done because someone has a broken toenail, partial toenail, or damaged toenails, and they want to artificially enhance them immediately.

However, someone may want acrylic toe nails because they struggle with toenail growth and want to have gorgeous, somewhat long, and perfectly sculpted toenails.

Some may be looking for a specific look that they can’t achieve with their natural toenails, such as white acrylic toes or out-of-this-world nail art.

Can You Apply Acrylics on Your Own Toes?

The big difference is that you should not apply acrylic toenails on your own.

While you may be able to craft your own artificial nails on your fingernails using nail tips, it should be avoided for the toes.

Why? Simply because it will be way too challenging to apply acrylic to your own toenails.

You will have to bend down incessantly, which will be painful, annoying, and negatively impact your acrylic toenail application.

That said, leave the acrylic toenails to a nail professional.

Are Acrylic Toenails Safe?

Acrylic toenails are somewhat safe, but they carry a lot of “cons” that aren’t associated with regular acrylic nails on your fingertips.

Here are some of the biggest concerns in terms of safety.

Risk of Fungal Infection

When applying acrylic to the fingernails, they’re left out in the open. Yay!

But the same isn’t true for toenails.

Since your toenails will be inside your shoes most of the time, there is a chance for moisture to build up between the nail tip and the natural nail.

Paired with the natural heat and sweat of your foot, this creates the perfect environment for fungi and bacteria over time.

This can lead to only one thing: a nail infection or fungal infections.

Pain

Your toenails are weaker than your fingernails. Period. So while your fingernails can handle the filing, buffing, and chemicals of nail polish remover and acrylic, your toenails might not.

Even if you go to professional nail salons and have a proper acrylic application, you can still end up with some aches and pains from all of the prep work involved with acrylics.

This is especially true if these are brand new acrylic toenails done by a nail technician.

Risk of Ingrown Toenails

An acrylic nail is rock hard with zero flexibility. Which, again, is acceptable for your fingernails but not true for your toenails.

The issue with fake toenails is that the toenails flex while you’re walking and come in contact with your shoes.

If they cannot bend, as usual, they will dig down into your natural nails, which could eventually lead to an ingrown toenail.

At the same time, the rigidness in general is simply going to be uncomfortable, especially if you have long acrylic toenails that are difficult to walk with.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Acrylic on Your Toes?

Unfortunately, acrylic toenails cost more than artificial nails on your fingernails.

That is because it is far more challenging for the nail tech to create artificial nails on your toes, whether they’re using nail tips or nail forms (although a nail form is much harder).

With that in mind, you can expect to pay $50 or more for acrylic toenails in most salons. If you get acrylic on a single nail (such as the big toe), the fake nail should cost $10.

How Long Do Acrylic Toes Last?

Acrylic toenails typically last up to a month. That is because toenails grow slower than nails on your fingertips.

As long as the fake nails are the desired length and desired shapes (not too long with any sharp corners or odd shapes), they should easily last around a month before needing a fill.

In between your salon pedicure visits, you can always apply more polish to your acrylics.

How to Care for Acrylic Toenails

Caring for your artificial toenails is slightly different from regular acrylic nails. With proper care, you can extend the life of your acrylics and not need a trip to the salon for a pedicure as often.

Here are a few tips to follow:

• Wear open-toed shoes/sandals. This is the easiest way to fend off possible fungus infections.
• Keep them dry. Again, it’s all about avoiding fungus infections. You might want to blow-dry after a shower or swimming.
• Don’t be too rough. Acrylics don’t move like your natural toenail, so be careful with your feet.
• Don’t pull them off. Use the right removal process using an acetone soak, or have them professionally removed.

FAQs

Why do people get acrylic on their toenails?

Most people get acrylics on their feet because they are unsatisfied with the way their nails look.

They want their nails to look flawless when it comes to length, paint, and overall appearance.

They may also be struggling with issues such as broken nails and want an instant fix using acrylics. That’s why a single faux toenail is most common.

Can acrylic toenails cause fungus?

Yes, and it’s one of the most significant drawbacks. You can avoid this by not wearing socks, keeping your toenails and skin dry and moisture-free, and not wearing close-toed shoes.