Misuse of Nail Tips

• Despite their hard and rigid physical nature, nail tips are designed for decorative, cosmetic reasons only and should not be used for other purposes. Some individuals use their tips as substitute screwdrivers or to clean the cracks and crevices of objects. Because the nail tips are firmly glued on to your nails, the resistance caused by exerting pressure on the nail tip from any direction can cause damage to the real nail underneath. Your real nails may bruise, wear away, chip and break.
  
  

Allergic Reactions

• Tips can be painted with a nail polish, and both the tips and polish contain chemicals that may induce allergic reactions. Among these chemicals are formaldehyde (which is used to crosslink polymers), methyl methacrylate (the resin that makes up the majority of the nail tip's composition) and nickle (which is found in the tiny metal balls that sit at the bottom of the polish bottle). People who take photosensitive medications, such as tetracycline, may experience a phototoxic reaction in the nail bed. Nail tips can be made out of gel, a substance that is set by exposure to ultraviolet light.
  
  

Fungal Infection

• When nail tips loosen due to misuse or simply because the adhesive has lost its stickiness, a space between the nail tip and the real nail can appear. Moisture, dust and small particles become trapped in this space, and it becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Washing and air-drying your hands thoroughly can help reduce the chances of infection. Before going to the salon to apply the nail tips, you should ideally wash your hands with antibacterial soap and then cut, file and buff your nails. The preexisting bacteria will largely diminish if these steps are followed. After application, splash nail antiseptic on your nail tips.
  
  

Difficult Nail Polish Removal

• You may want to paint over your nail tips to produce a more natural look, but removing the nail polish can be more difficult with the addition of tips. Nail polish removers contain ethanol, which dries out the nail bed and tips. Because dry nails are more susceptible to peeling and cracking, it may feel uncomfortable to have the tips attached. Overall, it is difficult to apply nail polish remover without damaging the tips' original condition.