Q: DO ARTIFICIAL NAILS CAUSE MOLD?
A: This is a highly misunderstood subject. Acrylic nails DO NOT cause nail fungi(MOLD). However, some clients who wear nail enhancements do get a more common disorder commonly known as nail mold. The proper name is “GREENIE”
GREENIE occurs when the nails are not maintained on a regular basis (every 2-3 weeks), or when the artificial nails are applied improperly. If proper maintenance is not a priority, the acrylic product begins to lose its’ hold on the natural nail, thereby allowing water to seep in between the product and the natural nail. The heat of the body in conjunction with the water allow discoloring(green) to grow between enhancement and natural nail.
Nail mold is usually green, and though it is unsightly, it does NOT cause permanent damage to the nail, as long as the nail does not go undetected by your manicurist.
Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOLD AND FUNGUS?
A: Nail fungus is often mistaken as nail mold. And nail fungus is very rare.
Fungus is caused by a systematic problem within your body. Nail enhancements DO NOT cause the fungus. If your manicurist is not alert to the early signs of a fungus, and your nail(s) is allowed to go undetected for a period of time, it can continue to grow between the natural nail and the enhancement. Fungus can result in permanent damage to the nail. Once nail fungus is detected, removal of the artificial nail and treatment with an anti-fungal product is imperative. The fungus itself must be treated by a physician.
Nail fungus is very rare, and in my experience as a manicurist, I have only known one woman to encounter a fungus. After treatment by her physician, we reapplied the enhancements with no re-occurrence of the fungus.