Where Did Acrylic Nails Originate

Believe it or not the look of the nails has always been very important in many cultures.

Where did acrylic nails originate. After expirements with different materials to perfect his invention he and his brother Tom patented a succesful version and started the company Patti Nails. In fact I have a client that just cant seem to keep the gel polish on her thin peeling nails but we did a short acrylic overlay with the gel polish and it has lasted a month. The first acrylic nails that were press-on were developed in the 1970s.

The invention of the current nail extensions started in 1954 when Fred Slack a dentist broke his fingernail at work and created an artificial nail using dental acrylic as a replacement. Around the same time 3000 BC the first nail polish originated in ancient China. Have you ever stopped to think about their history.

Some materials they were made of were bones ivory and even gold. According to the historians and archeologist 5000 years ago nail polish was created in China where it was used by ruling class to distinguish themselves from the general population. Photographed by Anna Jay.

Back in the 1930s a dentist named Maxwell Lappe invented a fake nail using acrylic that fits over a persons nails to prevent them from biting it off. Acrylic nails have been in fashion for years but where did it all start. Just to let you know I LOVE Gelish and gel polishes over an acrylic overlay for clients that love their acrylic nails.

The story of acrylic nails because not with a beauty specialist but with a dentist named Fred Slack Jr. It was made from beeswax egg whites gelatin vegetable dyes and gum arabic. Improperly applied gel or acrylic could result in nail fungus nails popping off or damage to the nail plate.

But theres much more to them than that. They are ideal for a client who wants longer nails and wants a bit of. However we must start from the beginning before we get to that part of the story.