Silk Wrap Nails, the pros and cons!

Silk wrap nails

Is silk wrap good for nails?

Are nail wraps good for your nails? Yes! They act like a protective coating for your nails, protecting and reinforcing their strength and helping to repair them. They act as a barrier outside of the nail and protect it from outside elements that might strip moisture from the nail and dry it out, leaving it fragile and prone to breaking.

Check out my wishlist of magical girl iridescent nail glitters! Click on each to discover them ♡

What are silk wrap nails?

Here is all to know about silk wrap nails. We’ll go over Silk Wrap Nails Pros and Cons, how to apply and remove them, how easy they are to wear in every day life, how much fun they are, and the times when they are most useful.

Are your nails damaged or break easily – do you wish they looked more glamorous and long? Do you wish you could try out cute nail designs but are scared of painting them in case they end up looking and feeling stripped, dry or flaky after you remove the polish? Are you looking to reinforce them with a durable manicure to give them extra strength? If you answered yes to any of those questions you will love silk wrap nails!

Silk wrap nails are just that: nails with small pieces of silk wrapped around them. This process is ideal for shorter nails, and is used to help keep their strength. However, these nail wraps can also be used with longer nails and can be shaped. Silk is incredibly strong and provides the perfect binding material – it is also a material with a whole host of beauty benefits. We can use this method to add some nice length to the nails to some extent, though it doesn’t add as much length to the nail as other methods.

To keep the silk wraps in place, an adhesive is used. Additionally, a resin can also be used to further improve the strength of the nail.

Are silk wraps better than acrylic?

Silk wrap nails can be so much easier and better for the nail than acrylics. They look so natural, you can kid everyone they are your real nails! They are great for reinforcing the natural nail underneath, your nails but better!

They are great for nail repairs in situations such as having a broken or split nail. Silk nails can be used to heal and completely repair the broken nail, like a plaster cast healing a broken bone. They also reinforce the natural nail on a surface level and make the nail look more aesthetically pleasing!

The history of silk wrap nails

🤍 Since the 1920s, manicurists have been using wrapping materials to reinforce the nail, items such as tea bags and coffee filters. It is also said that Egyptians used paper to reinforce the nails and make them stronger and longer.

🤍 It was in the 1980s when wrapped nails were finally popularized in the US by the brand Linen Batiste Nails. Shortly after that their introduction in 1983, Harper’s Bazar recommends using silk wraps for women who have a hard time naturally growing long nails.

🤍 Silk wraps are not new. They have been in use for years, though they are now making a comeback for a variety of reasons. Let’s look at the pros and cons of silk nails!

Pros of silk wrap nails

1. Strengthens The Nail

One of the main reasons to use silk wraps for nails is for added strength. The silk wrap adds structure to the nail and the resin helps harden it. This can help deal with cracks or splits on the nail.

Also, it can lessen the risk of nail breaking or prevent it from further breaking. Silk nail wraps will leave the nail looking and feeling better than they did before the application.

2. They are lightweight and breathable

If you hate the feeling of having thick nail extensions, then the silk wraps are for you. These are lightweight and breathable so you won’t feel like your nails are suffocating or catching on everything with extra weight. They are also thinner and are more flexible than other artificial nails or nail extension products.

3. They look like natural nails!

If you are looking for a product that will simply strengthen your nail and don’t like the heaviness of faux nails, silk nail wraps are a perfect choice. They look like natural fingernails even after you apply them so you don’t need to paint them or design them if you don’t want to, they look natural straight away!

That said, you can easily design the silk wrap nails with regular nail polish. Add colour, do nail art designs, or simply wear them like natural nails.

4. Effective Cosmetic Treatment Of Nails

Not only does the silk wrap strengthen the nail, but it also acts as an effective cosmetic treatment. If your nail has gone through various artificial nail extension sessions, it may look damaged when bare.

Silk wraps can help cover up the appearance of scratches or breaks on the nail. The wrap can also help cover up the discoloration of the nails so it will look like your natural nail, or it can also be painted over by your favorite polish. For some gorgeous girly nail art ideas check out these marble nail art ideas, french tip nails ideas and girly neutral nude nails ideas!

5. You can apply them at home!

They are super easy to apply and remove. Unlike other artificial nail extensions like SNS Nails, the silk wraps are easier to apply and remove. Silk Wraps doesn’t require a UV light Nail Lamp to apply. And you don’t need to soak your fingernails in acetone for a prolonged period of time to remove it.

The Cons of Silk Nail Wraps

1. Not As Tough As Other Nail Extensions

Due to the thinness and nature of the material, silk wrap nails are not as tough as other nail extensions like acrylics, gels, and dip powder nails. Although silk wraps are able to strengthen the nails and provide a strong barrier (as silk is naturally very strong), they aren’t as hard as a real fingernail.

2. Might Be Easily Removed Due To prolonged Moisture Exposure

Some sealants are water soluble, which makes the silk nail wraps easy to remove. But this can also be bad news for many!

If you tend to wash your hands often or if work involves frequent wetting of the hands and nails, then it is best to try a resin based sealant when applying.

3. They don’t add as much length as other treatments

It may be difficult to find salons that offer professional silk wraps, but you can do it at home on your own when you purchase silk wraps like the Supernail Swiss Self Adhesive Silk Wraps or the Soft Touch Dispense-A-Wrap System online.

Who is Best Suited For Silk Wraps?

🤍 Silk nail wraps are best for people who don’t want the fuss of press on or stick on nails and how heavy they feel. It can be used to add a bit of length if the nails are too short. It’s also a good choice for home use, as the tools are easily available online, and are easy to apply!

🤍 This manicure is also great for people who may be allergic to the acrylic or primer. It is recommended for the elderly, as they may have more sensitive skin and nails. It can be great for both the fingernails and the toenails, especially nails that need repairing.

🤍 Many nail technicians also suggest this method for “transitioners” from acrylic nails who want to grow out their natural nails. The strengthening capabilities of silk wraps are perfect for these cases. Nails in these circumstances are relatively weaker than those who don’t have artificial nails. It is possible for their nails to break as they grow them out, but using silk wraps prevent this.

🤍 Also, those who are used to having acrylics may be used to not being very careful with their nails because acrylics are tough and can take some beating. On the other hand, that is a different story for natural nails. Reinforcing the nail while in transition provides protection to the natural nail as you get used to having natural nails instead of acrylics.

🤍 Lastly, anyone who has naturally weak nails or those who simply want to strengthen them because they are prone to stress cracks can use silk nail wraps. It is a beautiful way of strengthening the nails.

How To Apply Silk Nail Wraps

Silk wrap nails are simple and easy to apply. There are a few steps to follow but they are super simple and it’s so easy to treat yourself to a silk wrap nail manicure at home. Here is how to apply silk wrap nails:

1. Prepare all the items you’ll need

For applying silk wraps on your nails you will need silk wraps, nail polish remover, nail trimmer, nail glue, nail file, cotton balls, sealing substance like the IBD Brush-On Gel Resin, and the compressing sheet.

2. Clean the fingernails

Silk wraps are best applied to clean nails. Remove any nail polish, glue, or nail extension residue by using the nail polish remover. Also, you should trim your nails to the desired length and shape. Just don’t cut too close to the finger or it will be more difficult to apply the silk wrap.

3. Cut the silk wrap into the right size or shape 

There are different silk wraps in the market but no matter what you get, you still need to cut it to size. Silk wraps like the one from KADS come in a roll that you have to cut depending on the nail size. Also, there are others like the ones from Jaeshay that are already cut into shape. All you have to do is find the right size and cut it to your desired length.

By @nailcou

4. Apply the silk wrap to the nail

Many of the silk wraps available online already have an adhesive. All you need to do is to wrap them around your fingernail – just don’t wrap the cuticle! If your silk wrap isn’t the self-adhesive kind, then you need to apply some glue on the surface of the nail first before you stick and wrap the silk wraps.

5. Add the sealing substance 

You then apply the sealing substance to the nail with the silk wrap.

6. Pinch the nail slightly 

To fold the nail wrap around the nail, so it hugs the contours of the nail.

7. Apply a few more layers of sealing substance

To strengthen the nail and to bind the wrap to your natural nail.

8. File and buff the nail

Next, once it is dry, we can trim and file the nail down to achieve the wanted shape. The nail can now be buffed to make the surface smooth and even. Buffing it will also eliminate the possible bumps formed by the silk wraps.

9. Paint the nails

Once the sealing substance is dry, it can now be painted with your choice of color or just a clear coat if you prefer.

How do you remove silk wrap nails?

Silk nail wraps are very easy to remove! You can get water soluble nail sealant that can be removed by washing, or for a resin sealant you should use an acetone-based nail polish remover. You can also use pure acetone to make it easier to remove.

Place the acetone solution in a bowl, then soak your fingernails for about 2 minutes. Then use a cotton ball dipped into the acetone to gently wipe across the nail. The silk wrap will usually easily come off in this manner. If it doesn’t just repeat the soak for another 2 minutes until it comes off.

After removing the silk wraps, wash your hands in warm soapy water then rinse. Dry your hands with a towel then apply some hand lotion. It is best to heavily moisturize the fingertips and cuticle because acetone is drying. Pop on some cuticle oil too to nourish your nail beds!

Application And Removal Tips

Though silk wraps typically strengthen the nails, it’s possible that they can be damaged through improper technique. Here are some tips on how you can properly apply the silk wrap:

Avoid Touching The Mesh With Bare Hands

Preparing the nail involves removing the oil from the surface so the adhesive will stick. By touching the wraps, you can deposit dirt and oils on them that can cause adhesion issues

Don’t Cover The Cuticle

The best thing to do to prevent the silk wrap from going over the cuticle is to leave about a 1mm margin around it. Making sure the silk wrap doesn’t cover the cuticle makes the wrap last longer because you can avoid lifting.

Don’t Simply Peel Off Silk Wraps

It may seem like the easiest thing to do to remove the silk wrap is to peel it off. But you should not! Silk wraps strengthen the nail and can be stronger than the natural nail, especially with the sealant. Peeling it off can lift the natural nail off the nail bed. That can provide a pathway for fungus to grow under the nail. Only pull off the silk wraps when the glue has already broken down after soaking the fingernails or fingers in nail polish remover.

How Long Do Silk Wraps Last?

Silk wraps are very effective in improving the strength and durability of your natural nails. Although they can be used to help those who have damaged nails, the wraps typically last for about 2 weeks.

If you are looking for a manicure that will last for more than 2 weeks, then you should find something more sturdy than silk wraps like gel or acrylic. But these have their own advantages and disadvantages as well.

Aftercare And Maintenance

The aftercare and maintenance are important when it comes to the lifespan of your silk wrap nails. Here are a few tips on how to properly care for your silk wrap nails:

🤍 Apply cuticle oil regularly to prevent the nails from drying.

🤍 Protect your nails from moisture by wearing gloves while washing or cleaning.

🤍 Don’t use the nails as tools. Even if they are strengthened, they can still break.

🤍 Regularly push back cuticles. About once a week is a good schedule.

🤍 Schedule for infills every 2 weeks.

Silk Wrap Infills

Silk wraps can last long and when paired with gel, acrylic or resin sealant, it can even last longer. Once you’ve grown a significant amount of natural nail, you can go for infills at the salon or you can also do it on your own.

The first thing that you should do is to make sure your hands are clean. Then sanitize the nails you’ll be working on. The cuticles should also be pushed so that you can see the length of the silk wrap that you have to use.

Remove the shine on the nail by filing it gently. Wipe off the powdery substance due to the filing with a lint-free sheet. This will prevent any fibers from getting stuck under the silk wrap.

Apply the adhesive on the nail and place the silk wrap over it. You may also use the ones that already have a self-adhesive. Once the silk wrap is already in place and the adhesive is already dry, you can now add the sealant.

Once the sealant is dry, you can buff the nails then apply a final coat of colored or clear polish or design them as you wish.

Conclusion

Silk wrap nails are a great way to strengthen the nails. It is a manicure procedure that has seen a significant resurgence over the past few years. Ideally made for shorter nails, it helps make the nails remain durable while keeping a beautiful, natural look.

Like any other nail manicure procedure, Silk Wraps have their pros and cons. More and more salons offer this kind of service, but not all. However, you can easily do it on your own by following the procedure above.

Removing them is also simple and easy. You only have to use an acetone-based nail polish remover. Just be cautious and follow the instructions for removal to avoid nail damage.

Posts on www.icecreamandclara.co.uk contain affiliate links. For full disclosure, click HERE 

Share: