13 year old wants acrylic nails

[LemonLimeWater]

Just that really, she is begging to get them done. I told her when she is 16 but won’t let go. She is driving me mad.
We live overseas, so I can’t even argue it is against school uniform policy.
what age do you think is reasonable?
thanks!

They will ruin her nails.

Are arcylics still a thing? I thought they died a death.

I know, that’s why I am saying no

Do not give in.

you can buy polish that has a gel effect that doesn’t require your own nails being filed and glue adhering to them.

I wish they would… but unfortunately my 13 year old wants them

How about a compromise and get gel polish. Looks like acrylics but doesn’t destroy your nails.

Properly done they do not ruin nails BUT they are a huge commitment and if you rip one off accidentally or bend it backwards it can damage the nail bed. I sometimes have gel overlays and my nails aren’t ruined at all but still i would say no until older

You could get a uv lamp and just let her use polish as a compromise?

https://mylee.co.uk/products/mylee-sea-shell-gel-polish-10ml

Personally it would be a flat no from me and just nail polish only.

What age do you think is appropriate? I am starting to retreat 16, but her sister got them at 16 (with her nan) so it’s hard to argue that

Just say no! Is she proposing to pay for them herself too?

Thanks, this could be an option

She does a bit of tutoring so has her own money, no way would I pay

Would be a hard no from me. She does tutoring? At age 13?

That would be an absolute definite no from me.

What does she plan to do when they start to grow out? Keep doing it? Not only is the cost an issue, but chances are are nails will get affected.

Is she sporty? I doubt expensive nails and school sport mix well.

Can she pay for them herself? Who is funding this because it is a huge commitment you can't just let them grow out. It will eat her money all the time.

She is simply too young, these are harsh chemical substances she wants to put on her nails. I know because I had acrylic nails 25 years ago religiously and then I started doing my own acrylics then gel nails for the last 15 years.

16 is when I would say she can have them. If she is determined to go ahead then she needs to do some serious research posted by nail technicians on youtube. If she does her own then how good is she painting her nails with her non-dominant hand? This isn't nail varnish, this is gel polish and she can burn her nail bed, known as hot spots or spikes from the gel curing under the uv. She can get lifting and get nail fungal infections. They require attention.

We live in a country where English is not the first language, she plays with a preschooler once a week (in English) and the parents pay her - it’s not academic tutoring, just English language practice

I think my dd first got hers done at around that age. Her nails weren't ruined, and she paid for them herself. Acrylics weren't allowed in school, so she only ever got them done at the start of the holidays.

Say no and mean it.

18 is the absolute youngest I would ever entertain acrylics - done badly they ruin nails.

DD2 has had them done in the holidays since about that age and she still has lovely natural nails.

They’re more popular than ever, not sure where you’ve been looking 😆

My DD 13 and most of her friends get them done in the school holidays. She saves up the money for them and her nails are absolutely fine afterwards.

I have them done regularly as it's the only way I can keep my nails looking decent.

I thought they’d proved there were health risks associated with this? It would be hell to the no from me for as long as she expected me to fund it at least.

I said no to my DD of a similar age and explained why. However she’s ignored this and got them done with her friend after school! Paid for them herself and they do look pretty. She’s going to need infills soon and that’ll be expensive for her. School allow them so there’s no issues there. Her pocket money will run out at some point so she won’t be able to keep getting them done and I’m not paying for something I said no to. She’s going to have to learn for herself that she can’t afford the upkeep.

Such as?