How to Get Rid of Green Nails After False Nails

False nails have remained popular for many years in the beauty industry. Trends are constantly changing, but false nails have never gone out of style. The ability to make your nails any length within one appointment makes false nails extremely appealing.

Having longer nails can give you the freedom to have intricate nail designs and provides them with extra strength. But, just like anything else, there can be potential complications to any beauty product or procedure.

Many women will get false nails for years and have no issues, but occasionally a time will come when the false nails come off and there are green spots over one or more nails. This can be alarming to see, but it is usually not a major cause for concern.

It is important to know what can cause this, how to treat it, and if there is anything that can be done to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Why Do Your Nails Turn Green?

If you have recently removed false nails only to discover your nails are green, then you might be wondering “Why are my nails green?” The reason your nails turn green after removing false nails is due to a bacteria called pseudomonas. It can look very strange and some people will mistake it for mold on their nails although the green color is caused by the bacteria itself.

Pseudomonas is a common bacterium that is found mainly in moist environments. In most instances, the nail bed is not a good environment for pseudomonas, but there are a couple of instances where this can happen.

The first way that pseudomonas can get into your nail bed is if your nail technician does not use clean tools when working on your nails. The bacteria could be present on the tools that are used, which would then transfer to your nails before they apply your false nails.

If this is the case then the bacteria would lie between the false nail and the natural nail bed. This would then cause the bacteria to become trapped and it would eventually spread causing infection. Always check to make sure that your nail technician is pulling out tools that have been sanitized properly before they begin your appointment.

The other way that pseudomonas can get into your nail is if the false nail is not applied properly. If there is a gap between the natural nail and the false nail, then the bacteria can get in through a gap or chip and find their way into the nail bed.

This can also happen if you go longer than normal between your nail appointments and your false nail starts to lift, which would allow bacteria to sneak in there. If your nail lifts and you are frequently getting your hands wet then it is the perfect environment for the bacteria to grow.

How Do You Get Rid of It?

If you find yourself in this situation, then the next question is usually how to get rid of the green nails. In most cases, you can treat it at home. This condition is rarely serious and can be cleared up fairly easily.

For an easy at-home treatment, you can try mixing white vinegar with water at a 1:4 ratio. Once you have mixed this, you will want to soak your nails for approximately 10 minutes. It is important to ensure that you let your nails dry thoroughly. Any moisture that is left is a breeding ground for the bacteria.

This will help to kill the pseudomonas bacteria, but you will still have the stain on your nails until the nail is fully grown out. As your nail grows out, you can continue to trim it back which will allow you to trim back the green stain until it is completely gone.

If you do the vinegar soak multiple times and do not see improvement or you start experiencing pain then it might be time to seek out the help of a doctor. In rare instances, multiple strains of bacteria can be present which might need to be treated further.

Is It Possible to Prevent it From Happening in the Future?

You can do certain things to try to prevent this from happening again in the future. It is hard to guarantee it won’t happen again, but by following a few simple tips, you can greatly decrease the chances of it.

Research on Your Nail Technician

Be sure to spend the time and do your homework on where you choose to get your nails done. It is important to go to a salon and a nail technician that follow the strict sanitary protocol that is required when getting your nails done.

If proper sanitation is not followed it is easy for bacteria to find their way onto the tools and products that are used. An easy way to find a great nail salon and nail technician is to read reviews and look at social media channels. You will be able to see what current and past clients have had to say.

It is always good to find a good nail salon and nail technician to ensure that you are getting quality work. It is extremely important to have good sanitation practices in place, but it is also important that your nail technician applies the false nails properly for there to not be any gaps that bacteria can sneak into. Everyone wants their nails to look amazing so it is worth it to spend the extra money on quality work not only for your nails to look great, but to lessen the chances of you getting an infection.

Do not pick at your nails

Another way that pseudomonas can get under your nail is if your false nails lift at all. It is important to not pick at your false nail or pull at it. If it starts to separate from your natural nail, then it provides the perfect location for the bacteria to get in. If you do notice that your nail is lifting then it is important to make an appointment with your nail technician so you can get it repaired as soon as possible.

Avoid your nails soaking in water

This can be tough if you have a job where your hands are in water frequently, but it is important to not have your hands soaking in water if possible. If you are in a job that requires your hands to be in the water, it is best to wear gloves if you can to help keep your nails as dry as possible.

Is It Safe to Put Nail Polish Over Green Nails?

Initially, it is best practice to not paint over your nail. You want your nail or nails to be able to breathe. You would not want to trap the bacteria again underneath the nail polish and potentially cause the infection to worsen.

Once you initially notice the green nails, they need to be treated for the bacterial infection first. Once the infection is clear and your nail is stained, it would be best to let the nail grow out on its own and trim away the green spots as it grows out. If you are certain that the infection is cleared and all you have is a stain left, then it is okay to paint over the nail.

If you do decide to paint over your stained nail, it would be best to remove the polish every week or so to be sure that it is not worsening. You will want to be sure to check and see if the bacteria has returned.

Although green nails are not common after having false nails applied, it can happen occasionally. By following our simple tips, you can help to lessen the chances of it happening to you. If you do your research on a great nail technician then you should not have any issues and if you do, they should be able to advise you on the best options available to you to prevent it from happening again.

It is important to remember if it does happen to you, that it is not a reason to be overly alarmed. Green nails caused by pseudomonas are easily treated and your nails will return to normal. Pick a great nail salon and continue to enjoy those manicures!

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