acrylic question

[elfprincessem]

Hi all, this may sound like a silly question but I am newly qualified so bare with me. Is it possible to cut acrylic, say for instance I have a client who has an acrylic overlay over short square nails and they have grown quite a lot, could I take down the bulk of it with clippers or should I always file, I presumed that cutting the acrylic would cause it to splinter but thought I'd run it past you guys first.

 

[Kim Lawless]

It's best to file really as they may crack leading to moisture getting in.

Also, you'd need to file anyway to thin out the free edge and re-balance.

 

[elfprincessem]

Thanks Kimmi just as I thought x

 

[khaendel]

Tell your clients to use good cuticle oil (Solaroil) on their acrylic nails each day, then it's easier to file because the nails stay more flexible when they are treated with oil each day.

Kind regards
Kerstin

 

[Bryony]

You can cut them with nippers, but it will cause the L&P to crack as you say. Even if it doesn't break it (which it likely will), the force of nippers will cause stress fractures in the product, which will get weaker and eventually break off and/or cause lifting.

Always file, but again, don't be tempted to use too harsh a grit otherwise the force of filing will also cause stress fractures in the product.

Have a look at Gigis thread in the tutorial section on rebalancing for tips on how to file quickly but without damage to product.