How Many Times Can You Fill Acrylic Nails Before Replacing Tips

How Many Times Can You Fill Acrylic Nails Before Replacing Tips

You can refill acrylic nails 3-5 times before before replacing tips. The number of times you can fill acrylic nails before replacing the tips largely depends on the health of your natural nails and how well the acrylics were applied.

When pondering how many times can you get infills before a new set, it’s essential to consider the growth of your natural nails and any potential lifting of the acrylic.

Over-worn acrylics can trap moisture, which isn’t good news. Yep, it’s the perfect invite for pesky bacteria and fungi to party.

Now, I know we all sometimes wonder, “How much do acrylics cost?”

But trust me, looking after them can save you bucks in the long run.

Don’t wait for a six-month mark if you spot discoloration or those cuticles seem super dry.

It might be time to treat those nails to a fresh set.

Remember, it’s not just about how many refills you’ve had; it’s about keeping those nails happy and healthy.

The Basic Concept of Filling

A fill is a maintenance procedure designed to refresh the appearance and integrity of nail enhancements as they grow out.

As our natural nails grow, a gap or void forms between the cuticle and the existing acrylic or gel enhancement.

This gap isn’t just aesthetically displeasing; it also provides an avenue for potential bacteria or fungal growth.

Filling involves adding more acrylic or gel material to this gap, ensuring a seamless transition between the natural nail and the enhancement.

The Aesthetics and Beyond

Beyond just appearances, fills play an essential role in the longevity and health of the nail enhancement. When the gap caused by nail growth isn’t addressed timely:

1. Lifting and Breaking: The older acrylic nails could start lifting soon. This lifting can eventually lead to breakages, cracks, or complete detachment of the enhancement.
2. Hygiene Concerns: The unfilled space can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, leading to nail infections, discolorations, or other related conditions.
3. Structural Integrity: The balance and structure of the nail enhancement are compromised. As the nail grows, the weight distribution changes, making it more prone to breaking, especially at the tips.

With the combined benefits of aesthetics and health, the nail fill cost becomes an investment in one’s overall nail well-being.

How many nail refills can you get?

Wondering about how many fill-ins until a new set, here is a basic guideline. However, it’s always best to consult with a nail technician, as individual experiences may vary.

Refills	Nail Health	Recommendation
1st Refill	Good	Regular maintenance.
2nd Refill	Fair	Monitor for lifting or damage.
3rd Refill	Average	Consider new set soon.
4th Refill	Risky	Recommend a new set.

How long between acrylic fills?

The recommended duration between acrylic nail fills is typically 2 to 3 weeks. However, individual nail growth and wear can affect this timeline.

Waiting 2-3 weeks between acrylic fills allows natural nails to grow while maintaining the integrity of the acrylic overlay.

Factors influencing this timeline include individual nail growth rate, the quality of the initial application, and daily wear and tear.

Faster-growing nails or heavy-handed activities might require sooner fills, while superior application techniques can extend the duration.

How do I know whether I need a fill or a new set? 

Time Since Last Set:

First, you must ask yourself when you placed your last set. You need a new set if it’s near or past the sixth-month mark.

Check the Acrylic’s Health:

Are your acrylics brittle, cracking, and discolored? Worn-out acrylics tend to be brittle as the glue has lost its sturdiness. If they are, it’s time to get new nails.

Growth Gaps:

Growth gaps can indicate whether you need a new set or a refill. Consider a fill-in if the growth has extended beyond a fourth of your natural nails.

Health of Natural Nails:

Most importantly, inspect your natural nails underneath. Should you notice any signs of fungus or infection, it’s crucial to visit a nail technician for removal immediately. Avoid reapplying acrylics until the infection clears.

Addressing Infections:

While most acrylic-related infections will clear on their own, some persist. For these stubborn cases, try home remedies.

A trusted and effective remedy involves soaking your nails in a mixture of vinegar and warm water. Seek medical assistance for severe infections.

Painful Acrylics – Causes & Solutions:

Incorrect application, excessive filing, or even tightness from the acrylic material can lead to sore nails post-acrylic application. Overly long nails or heavy extensions can strain your natural nails, causing discomfort.

If you experience any pain or discomfort, communicate this to your nail technician.

They can address the issue, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable nail experience.

Interesting read: How long does it take to get acrylic done?

What to do to make your acrylic nails last longer. 

Here are some secrets to help keep your acrylic nails looking fresh and lasting longer.

Keep your cuticles and nails moisturized

Imagine dry nails underneath that professional manicure you spent your dime on.

Or a dry, cracked, and painful cuticle atop your manicure? Not cute. But this will happen if you don’t moisturize your cuticles and nails. 

Your natural nails act as a foundation for acrylics. A dry nail plate will start to crack and peel, causing the acrylics to lift and peel too. 

To prevent this, you must regularly massage your nails with cuticle oils, moisturizer, or hand cream.

And since we know handwashing is the biggest culprit for dry nails, cuticles, and hands, remember to moisturize every time you wash your hands.

Bee Naturals has an amazing plant-based oil that will help maintain acrylic nails for longer.

You could also get a cuticle oil pen to ensure your oil gets directly onto the cuticles. 

Glove-up while cleaning

Chores don’t give anyone a break-even when you’ve just had your manicure.

And you’ll definitely have to use cleaning detergents containing aggressive chemicals that damage your nails. 

Chemicals found in cleaning detergents weaken acrylic nails leading to peeling and chipping.

Their drying and toxic effect on the nails sometimes cause the acrylic glue to dissolve.

And the obvious effect is that the glue will lose its sturdiness. In other words, your acrylics won’t last as long as you intended. 

So, what’s the best solution? We recommend buying protective cleaning gloves always to put on when cleaning. 

Be gentle with your nails, especially around hard surfaces.

We all recognize that ‘tap, tap’ sound of acrylics typing on a phone or a laptop. And that’s not an example of being gentle with acrylics.

While phones and laptops may not be viewed as ‘hard surfaces,’ using your nails to type puts unnecessary pressure on them.

This shortens their lifespan significantly, meaning you’ll need a replacement sooner. 

Typing is not the only culprit. Although often accidentally, hitting nails against hard and rough surfaces is the leading cause of acrylic breakage.

You’ve shortened the lifespan of your artificial nails and will need to visit a nail salon.

So, always be careful when you are out and about to prevent such an incident from happening. 

Prevent fungal infections at all costs

We cannot stress the importance of protecting yourself from fungal infections enough.

Fungal infections result from too much moisture between the acrylic and your natural nail. 

With a fungal infection, you’ll need immediate acrylic removal. You may need to look for remedies to heal and keep acrylics off for some time.

All these are results you don’t want. So, protect yourself from fungal infections at all costs! But how?

First, you must ensure you get all your fill-ins and nail replacements.

Second, our tested and tried recommendations. Apply oils with an antiseptic effect daily on your nails.

You can try essential oils such as tea tree, thyme, or clove. 

Make a professional nail technician your friend.

Inexperienced nail technicians can cause your acrylics to deteriorate faster than they should.

They may use poor-quality products, and their nail installation techniques may also be low-grade.

So, getting a good and professional nail technician should be at the top of your list.

You can start by checking online reviews or asking trusted friends for recommendations.

If you do fill-ins and tip replacements, seek to educate yourself constantly. 

And a small pro tip! Make it your morning routine to examine your nails for any damage.

This way, you’ll act on it faster, making your nails look fresher for longer. 

How many times can you get a fill on gel nails?

You can have gel infills every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on individual nail growth and daily activities.

On average, you can get a fill 3 to 4 times before considering a fresh gel application.

Factors like application quality, nail health, and exposure to daily wear play crucial roles in determining the frequency

What you shouldn’t do if you want acrylics to last longer

1. Do not type using your nails. Use the pad of your finger to type.
2. Do not use your acrylic nails as tools. Be gentle with your nails and avoid using them to open cans or take on responsibilities meant for other tools.
3. Do not make long, warm, and soapy baths a habit. Warm soapy water weakens acrylic nails. 
4. Stay away from swimming for long hours. We recommend swimming sessions of between one to two hours. Chlorine ruins acrylic nails and makes the nails dry and brittle, which can lead to acrylic nails falling off. 
5. Do not postpone your appointments with the nail technician. Always remember- fill ins once every two to three weeks. Replacements after six months. 

Factors that will affect fill times of acrylic nails

Length of acrylics

Everyone has their preference when it comes to short or long acrylic nails. But did you know that the length of acrylics can affect the fill times?

Generally, if you wear long acrylic nails, you should visit the nail salon longer to have your nails filled.

See, long acrylic nails have a larger surface area to act upon. This means they are more likely to be under stress and pressure than the shorter ones.

For instance, they are more likely to hit on hard surfaces, be used for typing, be hooked onto fabrics, etc.

The pressure and strain may weaken the glue strength leading to the nails lifting.

Unfortunately, this will mean more frequent visits to the nail salon to fill acrylic nails. 

Nature of work of the acrylic wearer

The nature of your work directly influences the frequency of fill-ins. Again, due to the stress and pressure element. 

People who work in fast-paced environments, use their hands often or deal with water and chemicals will need frequent visits to the nail technicians for fill-ins.

The stress and pressure from such environments can cause the nails to lift more often than it should. It can also lead to broken nails.

Luckily, you can wear acrylic on broken nail to hide it in case you do not like how it looks. Here’s how to disguise a missing fingernail.

Will acrylic nails ruin my natural nails?

Maintaining healthy natural nails has often led to the question; will acrylic nails ruin my natural nails? 

Research has shown that acrylic nails can cause worn-down nail syndrome – weakened nails.

This is caused by the filing down of the natural nails before artificial nail application.

But you can continue the acrylic application. Instead, ensure that your acrylic nails last longer to avoid the regular filing down.

You should also always visit a professional nail technician who will have the best advice in case of any concerns. 

Read: How to ask for acrylic nails

In summary 

To sum it all up, you can get your nails filled an indefinite number of times. And these fill-ins have to be done once every two to three weeks.

So you’ll need to get an acrylic fill 3-5 times before replacing tips after six months. 

Most importantly, ensure that you are keen on the health of your nails in between fill-ins and tip replacements.

Routinely check on the nail underneath for any signs of fungal infection.

You should also moisturize your nails regularly, avoid harsh cleaning detergents (better still, glove-up), and avoid applying pressure on your nails.

This way, you’ll be guaranteed healthy and beautiful nails.