A manicure for young girls is an opportunity to express their individuality, emphasize their style, and learn how to take care of themselves. However, it is important to remember that nails are still developing in adolescence, so the approach to manicure should be careful and responsible. In this article, we'll look at what age you can start doing a teenage manicure, when you can start covering your nails with gel polish, and what trends are popular among young people. We will also share tips on how to care for your nails to keep them healthy and strong.
How old can you get a manicure?
Manicure can be different — European, classic, hardware, or coated. However, not all of these types are suitable for teenagers. At their age, the nail plate is still in the process of forming, so aggressive methods or chemicals can harm its health. At the same time, basic hand and nail care should be part of daily hygiene. It helps to maintain neatness, prevent inflammation, and develop good habits. To avoid harm, it is important to follow the recommendations of specialists and choose procedures according to the child's age:
- Children under 7 years old. At this age, nail care should be done by parents, because children are not yet able to perform the necessary procedures on their own. Basic care includes a few simple steps. This includes gently filing the nails with a soft nail file, removing dirt under the nails with a soft brush, and carefully removing burrs if they appear. At this age, the cuticle should not be cut, as it can injure the delicate skin.
- Children from 7 to 15 years old. At this age, you can already introduce the European teenage manicure, which is considered the safest. It also does not involve the use of cutting tools. In this case, the cuticle is not cut, but only softened and removed with a wooden stick. Nails are filed with soft nail files to avoid microcracks. The coating, if used, should be lightweight. For example, you can use water-based children's varnishes that are easy to wash off and do not contain aggressive chemical components.
It is important to perform a teenage manicure with the right tools and products so as not to harm the nails. For example, you should choose nail files with a soft abrasive that does not injure the plate. Care products, such as creams or oils, should be hypoallergenic and designed for sensitive children's skin. If varnishes are used, they should be non-toxic, free of formaldehyde, toluene, or other aggressive substances.
At what age can you have a gel polish manicure?
At what age can you get a gel polish manicure? This question often worries teenagers and their parents. Although gel polish looks stylish and lasts a long time, it is important to understand that it is not suitable for children's nails. Experts recommend starting to do such a teenage manicure only after the age of 16. There are several good reasons for this:
- Children and teenagers under the age of 16 have thinner, softer, and more sensitive nails. The application of gel polish, as well as the process of removing it, can lead to their thinning, overfrying, deformation, or splitting. The coating can also damage the growth zone of the plate, which negatively affects its shape and health in the future.
- Bases, tops, primers, and gel polish removers contain active ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Teenagers' skin and nails are more prone to irritation, so there is a risk of itching, redness, or even dermatitis.
- In adolescence, a child leads an active lifestyle: sports, studying, needlework, and hobbies. Constant mechanical stress in combination with gel polish can lead to cracks and delamination of the plate.
After the age of 16, the nails become stronger, the skin is less sensitive, and the child becomes more conscious. It is at this age that you can start doing a teenage manicure with gel polish, provided that:
- Use of high-quality, safe materials.
- Visiting a professional nail technician.
- Regular nail care.
- Periodic rest from the coating.
If a child under 15 really wants to have a beautiful teenage manicure, it is better to choose safer options. It can be a regular water or mineral-based varnish or special stickers.
Teenage manicure trends
Every girl wants her teenage manicure to look stylish. Today, young people are increasingly choosing restrained and laconic designs that will look appropriate in any situation. It's in trend now:
- Naturalness. Teenagers are increasingly appreciating natural beauty. Light nude shades, pale pink, beige, and milky varnishes, as well as transparent coatings are the top options for those who want to emphasize the neatness of their hands without too much bright decor. French is a teenage manicure that also remains relevant due to its versatility.
- Glitter and rhinestones. A little sparkle never hurt anyone! Small rhinestones, sparkles, shimmer polishes, or pearlescent rubbings are a great way to add festivity and mood to your manicure. But the key word is moderation. To look stylish, it is enough to decorate only one or two nails.
- Geometry. Laconic geometric elements are the perfect way to make a teenage manicure creative without overloading it with details. Simple shapes, such as thin lines, dots, squares, waves, or asymmetrical shapes, allow you to experiment with design and show your own style.
- Minimalism. Less is more. This approach is gaining popularity. For example, a design only on the ring finger or thumb, a single pattern or dash is enough to make a teenage manicure look trendy. Minimalism suits any style of clothing and always looks appropriate.
It's important to keep in mind that children go to school, clubs, sports, and other activities, so a teenage manicure should be appropriate. The length of the nails should not be too long so as not to interfere with lessons, training, or creative activities. The design should also be restrained. Too bright colors can look inappropriate in a school environment.
Nail care tips for teens
Nail care is the foundation of their health and beauty. Here are some tips to help teens keep them in tip-top condition:
- Get regular teenage manicures. Trim your nails, leaving a free edge of about 2 mm. Use high-quality scissors or nippers, and for filing, use glass or ceramic files that do not injure the plate.
- Avoid aggressive cuticle removal. Instead of cutting, it is better to push it back with a wooden stick after softening it with cream or warm water. This will reduce the risk of irritation and injury.
- Moisturize your nails and the surrounding skin. Apply a hand cream with vitamin E or cuticle oil (such as almond or jojoba) daily to prevent dryness and hangnails.
- Protect your hands from household chemicals. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning, as detergents can dry out the plate and make it brittle.
- Avoid biting your nails. This not only spoils their appearance, but can also lead to further problems.
- Balance your diet. For strong nails, it is important to consume foods rich in calcium (milk, cheese), iron (spinach, nuts), zinc (legumes), and vitamins A, D, and E (vegetables, fish).
Conclusion.
A teenage manicure is a great opportunity to learn how to take care of yourself, develop a sense of style and neatness. But it is important to remember that nail health is a priority. Therefore, all procedures should be safe, delicate, and age-appropriate.