You’re someone who loves to pamper yourself with manicures. So, it makes sense if you ever wonder, “Will a hot tub mess up my nails?”. After all, opportunities for long soaks in the hot tub are so enticing!
Before you make a decision, though, it’s important to understand how different types of manicures interact with hot tubs. Plus, there might be other health effects that a hot tub could have on your fingernails.
Keep reading, then, to ensure you’re not running the risk of damaging your nails when in a hot tub. We’ll outline a few different kinds of manicures first. Then, we’ll take a look at how being in a hot tub can otherwise affect your health.
Basic Manicure
A basic manicure is relatively safe for soaking in a hot tub. That’s because it only involves filing or clipping nails and applying polish.
Still, it’s wise to keep your hands out of the water for long periods of time. This is especially true right after cleaning the spa with any chemicals such as chlorine. Chlorine has the potential to dry out your skin and/or cause other irritation.
Shellac Manicure
Shellac manicures involve applying multiple coats of polish cured under ultraviolet light. The UV light used during this process can cause damage to exposed skin over time.
That’s why it’s best not to expose your hands to the sun while wearing this type of nail polish, for one thing. Then, soaking in a hot tub can also cause the polish to fade faster than usual and make them more prone to chipping.
Gel Manicure
Gel manicures use a thicker type of nail polish that requires curing under UV light. This type of nail polish is especially sensitive to heat and humidity.
This means that soaking these nails in a hot tub can cause premature fading or chipping. It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after getting your gel manicure before taking a soak.
Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are strong, durable artificial nails that are made from liquid mixtures which harden when exposed to air. While acrylics are resistant to water, they should still be kept away from hot water.
Prolonged exposure to heat can weaken them and cause them to come off prematurely. It’s also important not to rub them too hard against any surfaces of the hot tub. This could damage the adhesive bonds between the acrylic nail and the natural nail bed underneath.
Dip Powder Nails
Dip powder nails are a popular alternative to traditional acrylic nails. This is because they require less maintenance and last longer than gel or shellac polishes do.
However, like other types of artificial nails, use caution when soaking in a hot tub. Soaking in the hot tub for too long can weaken the bond between the natural nail bed and artificial coating over time.
Paraffin Manicure
A paraffin manicure involves dipping your hands into warm wax several times. They’re then buffed with an abrasive material such as pumice stone or sandpaper for exfoliation purposes.
While this type of treatment can help soften skin, it is important not to expose freshly treated hands directly to a hot tub. This could potentially irritate delicate skin cells even further due to excessive heat exposure. After at least a full day, you can be prepared to enjoy your hot tub fun.
Press-Ons
Press-on nails are designed specifically for temporary use. That being said, they can last up to two weeks depending on how well they’re applied and cared for.
As with some other types of fake nails, press-on fingernails should ideally not be exposed directly into a hot tub. Since these nails are already made to be temporary, they’re the most likely to get prematurely damaged if you’re in a hot tub because the adhesive isn’t as strong as other types. If you’re asking, “Will a hot tub mess up my nails?” in regards to press-on nails, the answer is definitely “Yes.”
VinyLux Manicure
Vinylux is another type of nail treatment that uses multiple layers of lacquer applied over natural or fake nails. These nails also cure under UV light similar to Shellac treatments.
Also like Shellac treatments, Vinylux should be kept away from direct sunlight after application. Unfortunately, this includes any kind of direct contact with heated water such as found in hot tub spas.
So, Will a Hot Tub Mess up My Nails?
In short, if you love soaking in a hot tub but want to maintain beautiful-looking manicures, then it might be best to avoid exposing fresh nails directly to heated waters. Still, some specific kinds of more durable manicures can handle a hot tub session (if you’ve waited long enough after applying them).
Before deciding to take the plunge, it’s always a good idea to check with a professional nail technician. They can make sure there’s no risk of ruining freshly applied manicures.
Regardless of what type of manicure you’re sporting, it’s advisable to keep your hands out of heated spa waters for at least 48 hours after receiving treatment. This is the best way to minimize the risk of damaging newly polished nails. By doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy regular dips in the spa without worry.
Potential Benefits of Soaking Your Fingernails in Hot Water
Soaking in hot water offers a lot of benefits for your nails, too. Examples include softer cuticles and improved circulation throughout your fingers.
The heat also helps to relax tight muscles, which encourages healthy nail growth. It also opens up pores and increases blood flow to the area, which can help to nourish the delicate skin around your nails and make the skin look brighter and healthier.
Invest in Your Own New Hot Tub Today
You know have the answer to the question, “Will a hot tub mess up my nails?”. If you take the proper precautions, your fingernails will be just fine— even after a manicure. After all, you deserve to reap the health benefits of soaking in a hot tub regularly.
If you’re ready to invest in your hot tub, look no further. We encourage you to browse through our website to see how our spas might be what you’re looking for. To start, learn more about how you can finance your hot tub to get it sooner rather than later.
