Silk Wrap Nails: Pros and Cons

Silk nail wraps were tremendously popular for a brief time in the 1980s, only to be quickly shoved aside by the booming popularity of acrylic manicures. Lovers of this technique are thrilled to see wrapped nails coming back onto the scene in the 21st century.

And they aren’t just appealing to folks who are reminiscent of a bygone decade! Silk wrap nails are gaining a tremendous, new following of young and old alike. For those who love the appearance and functionality of a shorter manicure, silk wraps could be their new go-to option.

Understanding Silk Wrap Nails

In this handy guide, I’ll answer your burning questions about silk wrap nails, including:

• How much do they cost?
• How long do they hold up?
• Why is silk superior to fiberglass nail wraps?
• How do these nails stack up against gel manicures?
• How are silk wraps applied to nails?

Continue reading to learn the basics of silk nail wraps. With this information, you know what you can expect when you stop in for your next manicure.

What are Silk Nail Wraps?

Silk nail wraps are exactly what they sound like: Pieces of silk that are wrapped over and around the nail to produce beautiful results on shorter nails. Like other types of manicures, silk nail wraps can add some length, but usually nowhere near the length that other options can provide. Many opt for silk wrap nails because of the minimal damage to natural nails and the enhanced beauty of nails without adding unwanted length.

Silk nail wraps are often used to reinforce weak, brittle and breaking nails while adding a highly aesthetic touch.

The Difference Between Fiberglass Nail Wraps and Silk Nail Wraps

In some environments, fiberglass nail wraps and silk nail wraps are referred to interchangeably. You should know that they are not one in the same. The application process for fiberglass nail wraps is the same as ones made of silk, but the two materials are very different.
Both silk and fiberglass do an excellent job of reinforcing weak nails and adding a beautiful flair to fingertips.

How Do Silk Nail Wraps Stack Up Against Gel Nails?

Silk nail wraps rival gel manicures in popularity, as both produce breathtaking results for a relatively low price. Whether silk or gel is what you should be going for, however, depends entirely on what you want to see out of your manicure.

Are you looking to reinforce and strengthen brittle or otherwise damaged nails? Are you looking for shorter, though long-lasting results that will look great? If the answer to both questions is “yes,” then silk nail wraps are certainly an option worth considering.

In terms of duration and overall appearance, most find that silk nail wraps are comparable to gel nails. The similarities end when you determine how much you use your hands on a daily basis, though. Are you constantly submerging your hands in water or performing intensive tasks using your hands?

Your silk manicure probably won’t hold up as well as a gel manicure.
If you have weakened nails that break or feel brittle, silk nail wraps are a much safer option for your nails than gels. They do not cause as much damage and require very little effort to remove when and if you need to do so on your own terms.
So, let’s recap!

Silk nail wraps:

• Are long-lasting
• Provide strength to weak and brittle nails
• Are budget-friendly
• Require fill-ins to maintain their look
• Look beautiful

Gel manicures:

• Are long-lasting
• Can damage weak or brittle nails even further
• Cost about the same, if not a little more, than silk nail wraps
• Must be filled in to maintain their look
• Look beautiful

So, really, it all boils down to the condition of your existing nails!

How Long Do Silk Nail Wraps Last?

The duration of a silk nail wrap manicure is much like that of a gel manicure. Every week and a half to two weeks or so, you will need to see your manicurist for a fill-in.

The vast majority of separated and failing silk wrap manicures are caused by failing to practice the proper upkeep. However, this is not the only reason why your silk wrap nails could experience a shorter lifespan. Individuals who frequently submerge their hands in water or who work with their hands in a demanding environment might see separation before the two-week mark.

How Much Does This Type of Manicure Cost?

How much you can expect to spend will be dictated by your manicurist, as they set their prices. However, you can expect silk nail wraps to cost a fair amount less than gel nails. This is because silk nail wraps are easier to apply and require fewer materials as well as less time.

One downside you might face when shopping around for a silk wrap manicure, unfortunately, is a lack of salons offering this service. Many professionals in the industry have forgone learning fiberglass or silk nail wraps due to their diminished popularity. So, in reality, the issue with silk nail wraps is less about expense and more about availability.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Nail Wrap Manicures

Considering how easy it is for a trained professional to apply silk nail wraps, it’s a surprise that so few have gotten onto the bandwagon! In this section, I’ll let you know what to expect when you sit down for a silk wrap manicure. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

1. Hands are cleaned, including the areas under the nails.
2. Nails are then buffed to a powdery-like appearance, ensuring smoothness during application.
3. Pieces of silk are then cut down to fit the shape of each nail.
4. The silk is placed over the nail, with some overhang off the tip of the fingernail, and coated with a sealant.
5. Once the sealant (which is water-soluble) is dry, the nails are buffed again to eliminate bumps and other evidence of unevenness

The nails are then painted to the customer’s preference. Many choose a glossy clear coat, but they can definitely be painted over with your favorite shade!
See? It’s really not so tough! The process is so simple, in fact, that some consumers have chosen to apply silk nail wraps at home in the absence of licensed professionals in their area.

Silk Wrap Nails Pros and Cons

So, do you really want to get silk nail wraps when there are more popular options, like gel nails, on the market? This is the health of your nails that we’re talking about here, so of course, you want to make the right decision – both for your hands and for your wallet. Let’s talk about silk wrap nails pros and cons!

The Pros of Silk Nail Wraps

First, let’s talk about the nail health benefits provided by silk nail wraps. If your nails are brittle or otherwise weak, silk nail wraps can provide them with strength and some length without inflicting any damage.

Unlike gel nails, which cause damage both in their application and their removal, silk nail wraps actually leave nails feeling and looking better than they did before.

The removal of silk nail wraps is also quite simple and non-damaging. Instead of essentially having to yank the nail coverings off, silk nail wraps can simply be dissolved away in water.

Second, the visual effects of silk nail wraps are lovely and diverse, just as much so as other manicure options. You can leave the thin, silk layer exposed with just a clear coat for a natural look. Alternatively, you can cover the silk with your favorite shade.

The Cons of Silk Nail Wraps

It is certainly worth noting that silk nail wraps are not the most durable manicure option on the market. If you often work with your hands or you need to wash your hands frequently, the silk can quickly separate from the nail. In these cases, gel nails might be a better alternative.

Another distinct drawback of silk nail wraps is a lack of availability. Many modern salons don’t have professionals who know how to apply these wraps effectively. This is in no small part due to the excitement and popularity surrounding other manicure techniques, like acrylics. Depending on your area, you might have a hard time finding a salon that offers this service.

So, Should You Get Silk Nail Wraps?

Consumers who are concerned with the health of their nails definitely stand to benefit from the application of silk nail wraps. You can get beautiful results within mere minutes and protect your nails – as long as you don’t frequently submerge them in water.

If you’ve read this guide and have decided that silk wrap nails are an option that appeals to you, there’s little reason not to move forward with that decision.

For beautiful nails that won’t damage what you naturally have, silk nail wraps are the best option available. Perhaps the newfound enthusiasm that the market has shown for this nail solution will drive more salons to offer this service to the public.

CARE TO COMMENT?

I hope you found our Understanding Silk Wrap Nails Pros and Cons article useful.

Now, tell us:

• Did we miss something?
• Do you have any other questions about silk wrap nails?

If so, leave us a quick comment and let us know!