The worldwide nail market revenue is expected to reach $13 billion in 2025, according to Statista, a data platform. Today, nail art is more than just painting fingernails; its endless possibilities continue to fuel its growth. The Sungkyun Times (SKT) will now dive into nail art culture, exploring its appeal and downsides, to finally uncover tips for enjoying nail art wisely.
Paint the World on Your Fingers
-Exploring the World of Nail Art
Nail art is the creative practice of decorating fingernails with different colors and designs. It offers limitless possibilities and combinations, such as adding gems, beads, and other creative elements. The origin of nail art dates back to 3000 BC in Egypt, where it initially served as a symbol of high social status, later evolving into a form of art with cosmetic purposes. As for South Korea, dyeing nails with balsam flowers is considered the earliest form of nail decoration, as young women would apply crushed petals and leaves onto their fingernails to stain them. The modern nail art culture in Korea officially began to take shape in the 1980s as a service for the American military personnel stationed in the country. With the opening of Griffiths, the first nail shop in Korea, it started gaining widespread public interest. This led to the creation of the Korea Nail Association in 1997, which contributed to the systematic development of the industry. With growing popularity, various nail art styles emerged, such as gel polish, nail polish, and sculpted nails. Gel manicure, commonly provided in nail salons, is made from hard resins. Nail polish, on the other hand, is formulated with enamel resin, while sculptured nails are crafted using gel or acrylic. Using these types, different designs can be created. For example, French tips are a style where only the tips of the fingernails are painted a different color, while 3D nails use gels to create various dimensional shapes. The diversity of nail art has made its way into a beloved hobby for people of all ages and genders.
-Polished Fingers and Future
The popularity of nail art has surged over the past few years and is expected to continue growing. One main contributing factor to this growth has been the increasing impact of social media platforms. Social media marketing plays a crucial role in the nail art industry, as it provides easy access to information and offers inspiration for people to get their nails done. Additionally, as gender-neutral fashion has established itself in the modern day, more men are exploring nail art as a form of self-expression. For example, Lee Hong-gi, a member of the Korean band FT Island, shared his experience of using nail art, highlighting the advantage of nail art in being easily changeable compared to other permanent forms of expression, such as tattoos. According to Custom Market Insight, the global men’s beauty market is expected to grow from $55 billion in 2021 to $110 billion in 2030. Given these factors, the sales of self-care products such as sticker nails have significantly increased, contributing to further interest. For example, the Korean sticker nail brand Ohora reached a revenue of ₩300 billion in 2023, showing remarkable growth of the nail art industry in Korea, Japan, and the United States. Evolving in diverse forms, nail art draws ever closer to people’s everyday lives.
Shining to Shattering Nails
-Coloring Nails and Souls
Nail art offers more than just aesthetic appeal. One of its greatest strengths is that it acts as a form of expression. It allows people to showcase their uniqueness and preferences, experimenting with new styles with minimal risk. A nail art enthusiast stated in an interview with the SKT, “I often get a dog painted on my nails as it is my favorite animal,” sharing how such a simple way of art reinforces her personal identity. Expressing one’s individuality through nail art is not just a hobby but a method for improving mental health. Vegan News reported in January that women between 40 and 50 who get their makeup, hair, and nails done have lower societal stress than those who do not. As a form of self-care, refining nails can boost confidence and reduce appearance-related stress. Additionally, nail art not only improves mental health but also physical health. Nail art may help curb unhealthy habits such as nail-biting behavior, which at worst, can cause dental damage and infections. In March 2023, nail artist Gina Edwards stated in an interview with the magazine Allure that having beautiful nail art tends to discourage people from biting their nails, and the bitter-tasting topcoat further reduces the urge. Nail art has become a trendy form of therapy, helping individuals in various ways.
-Pain Behind the Beauty
Despite its many benefits, nail art also presents certain drawbacks. First, poor sanitation in the nail salons puts customers in danger of infections. Tools used during procedures like cuticle removal sometimes lack proper sterilization, leading to contamination and bacterial infections such as cellulitis. Through a June 2024 article with Global Epic, Park Eun-seok, chair of Korea Health Medical Support, stated it is challenging to monitor the hygiene standards of each nail shop, which increases the risk of contamination. Additionally, receiving nail art services frequently without breaks in between can deteriorate nail health and make them prone to breakage. Furthermore, the ultraviolet (UV) radiation lamps used to dry gel nails also raise concerns. The Skin Cancer Foundation warned that the UV lamps emit light that can be related to the development of cancer. Beyond the risks from UV lights, gel polish poses a danger because it is heavier and longer-lasting than regular polish. An article by Health Chosun published in July 2024 revealed that gel polish makes it difficult for nails to absorb nutrients and stay hydrated, highlighting the downsides of nail art. As such, its constant application can weaken the nails and make them susceptible to further damage.
Guide to Protecting and Polishing Nails
-Safety First
Through proper application and sufficient care, nail art can become a healthy hobby with positive benefits. Before getting one's nails done, three main steps must be taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. By following these simple steps, Kingos can enjoy the art of nail care without having to face the pain of unwanted side effects.
1. Check Sanitation
Before booking an appointment, visit the district or town website to view businesses’ public sanitation service assessments. All legally registered nail salons should be scored as green rank for outstanding, yellow rank for intermediate, and white rank for regular maintenance. Choosing a nail salon with a green rating will help avoid possible risks.
2. Break Time
To maintain healthy nails, take at least a two-week break between nail art sessions before proceeding to apply a new nail art, to ensure that nails have time to recover fully.
3. Protection from UV
Lastly, when getting gel nails, precaution is needed to shield oneself from the UV lights. Havard Health Publishing advises applying sunscreen or wearing fingerless gloves during the procedure to avoid the downsides of the lamp’s UV radiation.
Find Your Design
Here are some nail art recommendations from the SKT.
-Neon Nails
Try a mix of bright colors for the upcoming summer. Neon nails are perfect for those who want to brighten their summer night out.
-Character Nails
Consider a design featuring one’s favorite character for a charming look. This type of nail is ideal for anyone wanting to show off their favorite movie characters.
Nail art transforms fingernails into tiny canvases to express one’s world. No limit exists with nail art, allowing creative freedom and self-expression. If Kingos are feeling down or simply need to relieve stress, why not brighten the day with a splash of nail art and paint a little happiness right onto your nails?