Acrylic nails are the beauty trend that just won't die. No matter how many times they are exposed as the ticking time bombs of a beauty parlor, women everywhere keep getting them done. And why not? They look fabulous, at least until you accidentally hit your hand on a door and half of your nail pops off. Then they just look like a hot mess.

But hey, beauty is pain, right? So if you're willing to risk having your nails fall off, go for it! Just be sure to keep some glue handy, just in case.

10 things you didn't know about acrylic nails

Acrylic nails are one of the most popular choices for artificial nails, and there's a good reason why. They're strong, they last long, and they can be designed in any way you want. But there's more to acrylic nails than meets the eye. Here are 10 things you probably didn't know about them.

1. Acrylic nails were invented by a dentist. In 1932, dentist Frederick Slack developed a type of acrylic resin that could be used to fill cavities. Ten years later, another dentist named Rueckert began using acrylic resin to create artificial fingernails.

2. The first incarnation of acrylic nails was made from a mixture of deer antlers and chicken feathers. That's right—the original fake nails were made from animal parts! Fortunately, the formula has come a long way since then and is now completely synthetic.

3. Acrylic nails can actually help your natural nails grow. Contrary to what you might think, acrylics don't damage your real nails—in fact, when applied properly, they can actually protect your natural nails and help them grow longer and stronger.

4. The process of getting acrylic nails done is called "acrylation." During acrylation, a technician will apply a liquid monomer (a type of organic compound) to your nails before shaping them into the desired shape with a powder polymer (a type of synthetic material). The two substances then harden into the strong, rigid acrylic nails that you know and love.

5. There are two types of acrylics: hard gel and soft gel. Hard gel is more durable and lasts longer than soft gel, but it's also more difficult to remove. Soft gel is less durable but can be removed more easily if necessary.

6. Acrylics are sometimes used in medical situations. Because they're so strong and durable, acrylics are sometimes used to build up areas of the body that have been damaged or deformed due to injury or surgery. This includes everything from rebuilding bones to creating new cartilage.

7. You can make your own acrylics at home—but we don't recommend it. If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own acrylics using a kit that you can purchase online or at your local beauty supply store. However, we strongly advise against this unless you're an experienced technician; doing your own acrylics at home is very difficult and requires a lot of practice to get right.

8. Acrylics aren't just for fingers—you can get them on your toes, too! If you want the look of beautiful long toes without having to deal with the upkeep of regular pedicures, consider getting a set of acrylic toe extensions. They'll last for months before needing to be redone, and nobody will be able to tell that they're not your real nails!

9. Acrylics can last anywhere from four weeks to six months—it all depends on how well you take care of them. If you take good care of your acrylics and don't pick or peel at them, they can last for weeks or even months without needing to be redone or replaced.

10. Removing acrylics is no easy feat—but it's possible! If you decide that you want to remove your artificial nails, soak them in acetone nail polish remover for 10-15 minutes until they soften enough to be peeled off (be careful not to leave them in too long, as this can damage your natural nail beds).

Once they've been soaked long enough, use a metal cuticle pusher or orange stick wrapped in cotton wool soaked in acetone to gently push the softened artificial nail away from your natural nail bed until it comes off completely."

Wrap up!

As you can see, there's a lot more to acrylic nails than meets the eye! Whether you're considering getting them for the first time or you've been wearing them for years, we hope this list has taught you something new about these versatile artificial nails."