She said she will pay for it and not go over board with them but I don't know she is still my little girl in my head but she understand the pros and cons of them and maintance what should I do? And what's the right age?
as someone with paper thin nails AND a confirmed nail-biter, i did acrylics for years and now do gel. i wish someone would have taken me in hand when i was 13 and taught me the proper care of my nails, and how to maintain them myself and just get mani/pedis for special occasions.
khairete
S.
I think they are a bad idea and a waste of money for an adult. I would most certainly not let a 13 year old get them.
Get her some cute nail polish kits or Jamberries and let her do her actual nails but a big no to acrylic.
Terrible on the nails and too much emphasis on looks for a 13 year old. She's barely past playing dress up.
This Mom of two teen girls says no way at that age. What happened to the simple treat of a mani/pedi?
K.
Welcome to mamapedia!!
Have your daughter do research on what the acrylic does to her nails. Ask her about what she would do if she got a fungus or mold under the acrylic. Ask her if she realizes this is something she will need to pay for EVERY TWO WEEKS - depending upon how rough she is on her nails...
Personally? I would say NO. And give the reason that she will damage her nails and nail beds.
Want to compromise? Try press on nails. Otherwise? No. Here is DC, a full set is $50 and fills are $35. A 13 year old has $70 a month to spend??
What's the right age? Really never. But I understand the need/desire. I got acrylics when I was 17. My nails have NEVER grown the same since. I regret doing it.
Nope. Destroy your nails. They are never the same.
I wouldn't let anyone that young get acrylic. They can damage the nail and nail bad pretty bad. At that age she is still developing so I wouldn't let her ruin her nail bed. Tell her to just take care of her nails and let them grew naturally.
I've heard so many people say that if they had it to do over they would have never gotten acrylic nails. I would also suggest Jamberry. They have adorable designs that are easy to put on and take off. They are much cheaper. And they don't damage your nail bed or nail.
a vitamin can improve the quality of ones own nails. i take a multivitamin to keep my nails. (when painted or with jamberry on them i am often asked if they are real and i get to say yes, they are real!)
i would not let my 13 yr old get acrylics. the salons that still do them don't properly sterilize their equipment. true salons do a gel coating but if not properly removed it will damage your nails.
my cousin J is a nail tech and does not recommend a 13 yr old get artificial nails, she talks them into just getting a paint job
I think it's excessive. I wouldn't allow it. It certainly shouldn't be something she starts and keeps up at her age. Too expensive, and too much emphasis on looks.
How about a pretty manicure?
Please go read this:
http://blogs.webmd.com/healthy-skin/2011/09/whats-growing...
The repeated mentions of fungi and bacteria should be enough to convince you that your daughter is not making a safe choice. The mention of "fingers the size of sausages" after swelling due to allergic reactions -- have your kid read THAT.
The fact that so many adult women are posting here that these nails are both expensive and potentially unhealthy is a pretty clear sign that this isn't really about giving a young teen more independence, or letting her spend her own money how she pleases etc. It's an unsafe choice, period, and she is too young to appreciate that. Say no. You will not be popular with her and she won't get it, but it's a time to say that what seems like a simple, fun fashion choice, and a chance to give her some freedom, actually is a very poor health choice.
She's going to complain that she has friends who have these nails, she has never heard of anyone having any problems ever, and so on. Paste on a firm smile and offer her the alternatives below.
I also would bet that she has no idea it's at least $70 a month to maintain these nails. The first time she starts to want something else, you'd have to say, "If you spend X on that you won't be able to maintain your acrylics this month and once you stop maintaining them they'll be wrecked. So, what's your choice?" She'd get tired of having to spend all her money just on maintenance but of course she cannot recognize that right now.
Just say no, on health grounds alone.
Haven't you heard the horror stories of acrylic nails?
I have a 12 year old boy so likely will never have to deal with this...but if I had a daughter? No way.
No! They ruin the nail bed. I wore them for a year with fills every two weeks and it took almost a year to heal. What about shellac for a one time thing, much less damaging. But I probably would agree with first reply!
My nails run about $70 a month to maintain.
Does she seriously have that kind of money?
If she does I guess it's up to her how she spends it.
Though I imagine she'll get bored with it pretty quickly, it's kind of a pain.
I only do it because I'm a nail biter and I'm vain and like having pretty hands.
I would take her to the fake nail section and show her the options that come off much easier. They can be put on where they look real if you file the lower edges a bit, to make them thinner where they fit against skin better. They are such a cheaper option.
Then the jamberries are so adorable. If she already has nails.
If you really have to ask, I think you already know the honest answer is really no. As others have already said, acrylic nails are bad on nails, and expensive. Besides, if you say yes to these now, at 13, she'll keep asking for more, and what will you have left to say yes to at 16, or 18?
And you could go online to get pictures of nails that look horrible because of acrylic nails gone bad. Make your daughter really think about what she is real doing to her body. If she wants this, what does she want to do to her body next?
Just something to think about.
I did acrylic years ago and my nails still aren't right.
I did allow my daughter to get them for special occasions.
We both do gel now but still, it damages your nails. We don't keep them all the time, only special occasions, etc.
I think 13 is too young for 24/7 acrylics plus the cost of upkeep which is no less than $70 per month.
Special occasion... I'll allow it but not all the time for a 13 yr old. My daughter is 20.
No, I don't think so.
How old?
For her senior prom maybe.
They are very damaging to nails. Let her do them when she's an adult if she wants :) Too much expense and trouble for this age imo.
If your daughter gets refills every few weeks it will cost her over $600 per year. I wouldn't let me 13 yo spend that kind of money for nail care.
If she just wants to do it once...sure why not.
My daughter's do nails for special occasions, starting around age 11. I have never done them. We have never done them just for every day wear, but sounds like some people with thin nails do appreciate it.
When I was a preteen/teen I started doing things (ugh perms!) that I wish wish wish my mom had talked me out of. My mom was very firm on some things, but allowed us the freedom at times I wish she hadn't. I know that sounds strange, but sometimes saying "no" as a mom really is the kindest thing to do.
I think this is one of those instances. Acrylics are just so damaging as the moms below can attest. I for one have not done them, but that's probably in part because I've seen my friends' nails who have had them done.
I think treating your daughter to some fun nail art or a manicure sounds great. I doubt that will be enough for her though if she's set on acrylics - is this because her friends have them? What's the sudden interest?
I find when my kids ask for something that sounds a bit off or too mature, I try to figure out why they are now asking - if it's to be like friends then we have a talk if I feel it is inappropriate.
I'd try the manicure route/alternatives as a compromise. And by all means, show her pictures of what happens to damaged nail beds if that helps your case.
Good luck :)
I was allowed to get them at that age for a school dance. They were nice until they started to grow out & taking them off brought me to tears. I would allow my daughter to get them if it was something she wanted because they're not permanent and if she's paying for it why not? As far as I'm concerned if this isn't something that's to be a permanent thing but rather a once just because type of thing at that age I see no long term harm.
Lots of issues here: cost, body image, why she wants them and how long they will last, what she won't do because her nails need to be protected, etc.
For your own background, you might want to read the lauded New York Times series on the nail industry. While it applies to NYC in particular, the issues certainly resonate across the country in terms of exploitation of workers, one license for the salon but many unlicensed workers, exposure to chemicals (worse for the workers than the one-time customers, sure, but still…) and much more. Here's one link but there are multiple stories/articles: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/nyregion/at-nail-salons...
It's not just about who pays for it. It's about where you want to take a stand and where you want to let her go ahead and feel it was a waste of her money. If she's earning the money, that's one thing - if she's raiding her college fund, that's another.
I think we have to let our tweens and teens have a little independence - they not our little kids but they're not adults either. They have to experiment with adult things, certainly, and you have to decide which battles you want to fight.
It's nails. No big deal.
If she starts with acrylics now, she'll ruin her nails. Manicures only. Maybe gels for special occasions (like vacation).
Teach her how to take care of her nails, use cuticle creams and keep them looking good.
