Why? Well, there’s generally a misconception that if you have long nails, you can’t have lesbian sex(opens in a new tab), because longer nails might get in the way of fingering. This is an idea which I am always at pains to say is not only femme phobic but which promotes an extremely non-inclusive version of what sapphic sex means. After all, not all lesbians want to be fingered, not all lesbians have vulvas, and both oral sex and strap-ons exist!
But, in my personal experience, after some initial eyebrow-raising, a lot of my partners have fully jumped on board the long nails train — vocally asking to be scratched and eventually coming to fetishise the tap-tap-tap sound of acrylics on a phone screen, so closely do they associate it with me. Sadly, while my partners have been able to enjoy the sexual positives of my talons, I have not been so lucky.
See, touching others with acrylic nails is tricky but, if you follow safer sex measures or just focus on non-fingering activities, it can be done. On yourself though, it’s really (and I mean really) difficult to get off with acrylics. Why? Well, using your tongue isn’t really a possibility here — no matter how bendy you are. There’s also the fact that, unlike when you’re fingering someone else, you can’t angle your fingers as easily and you also can’t always see what you’re doing as clearly.
In short, there are plenty of obstacles but that doesn’t mean you have to choose between terrifying nails and touching your clit. In the interests of giving you some pointers — and learning myself how to overcome some of these fingering hurdles — I’ve decided to ask the right people, the right questions.
Is it safe to masturbate with long nails?
If you’re an acrylics fan, you’ll know that, logistically, things can get complicated. From fumbling whenever you try to button up your coat to messing up the screen calibration on your phone, things you previously didn’t give a second thought to suddenly become mired in difficulty. And, as we’ve established, the sudden loss of dexterity isn’t great for your masturbation game — but there are added issues to consider on top of this as well.
As Anna Richards, sex expert and founder of ethical sex platform Frolicme(opens in a new tab) explains, there are hidden hygiene considerations you might not consider but which in some cases can cause inconvenient and uncomfortable conditions. "Both with or without long nails you need to ensure your hands and fingernails are clean and don’t upset the natural flora balance of good bacteria that lives within your vagina whenever pleasuring such a delicate area," she says.
And while we could all be more conscious of keeping our hands and nails clean when we touch ourselves, this is especially important for any acrylics fans. "The longer the nail the more risk they pose as they’re more likely to harbour unwanted bacteria under the nail bed that is harder to get clean," she adds. "You may find you become more susceptible to yeast infections such as bacterial vaginosis and even urinary tract infections." To help avoid any of these drawbacks, the solution is simple: make sure to wash your hands, people!
"The longer the nail the more risk they pose as they’re more likely to harbour unwanted bacteria under the nail bed that is harder to get clean."
On the other hand, Laura Wood, a So Divine sexpert for LOOKFANTASTIC(opens in a new tab), thinks people should be aware of the risks of internal cuts and tears from wanking with acrylic nails. "Cutting yourself while masturbating isn’t unlikely with long nails," she explains. "If you were to cut the inside of your vagina, you could increase the chances of STI transmission through the open wound."
You may have a vaginal tear if you experience mild pain, an itching sensation or if you notice a small quantity of blood. And while superficial vaginal tears do pose a sexual health risk, they should heal on their own. "If this does happen, it’s not something to be worried about," Wood adds. "Just take a break from sex and internal masturbation whilst the cut heals."
How to reduce discomfort when masturbating with long nails
So, we’ve reached a consensus that acrylics and long nails make wanking…kind of tricky. But is there a way to amp up the pleasure while reducing the discomfort?
Well, according to Wood, it might be a case of compromise when it comes to your choice of nail — and avoiding coffin nails at all costs unless you want to say RIP to your clit. "The first consideration would be the length and the shape you choose," she explains. Obviously, shorter is better when it comes to getting off, but avoiding any pointed edges is also a good shout. "Oval, rounded, or even almond nails are less likely to cause discomfort when masturbating in comparison to shapes with sharper edges like the square or coffin shape."
If you refuse to let wanking get in between you and your talons then it’s time to fall back on a classic piece of sexpert advice: invest in some lube. "Lubricant should have some effect on limiting discomfort whilst masturbating," Wood points out. "Whilst you shouldn’t rely on the lube to protect you from cutting your vagina, it should act as a barrier to reduce friction between your nail and your vagina, therefore reducing the likelihood of experiencing any internal or external cuts."
Tips and techniques for fingering yourself with acrylics
If you’re used to walking around with an inch of polished plastic poised on your nail beds, you’ll probably have developed a bunch of unique ways to get around the unwieldy nature of your nails — from applying your face cream with your knuckles (stops lotion getting trapped behind your talons!) to making sure there’s always someone on hand to do up your jewellery clasps for you.
In a similar vein, there are undoubtedly workarounds for orgasming with acrylics — but what are they? And how well do they work? Well, Richards recommends that we ditch any idea of internal fingering and penetration. "If you are looking at minimising damage, there really is no better option than to keep to clitoral stimulation and leave the [penetrative] fingering for someone else with shorter nails," she says.
Now we’ve got that out the way, she recommends using less direct pressure on your clitoris - specifically massaging around it. "Use the flats of your fingers on each side of your vulva, massaging and kneading the soft folds of skin can generate wonderful stimulating sensations and help build to a meaningful orgasm," she says.
For a more intense flourish — perhaps when you’re getting closer to orgasm — you may want to rub your clit with your knuckle. "You can also use your knuckle with your finger bent to give focused pressure around the top of your clitoris," Richards adds.
Wood, for her part, recommends positioning your finger so that the tip touches your clit and vulva but angling it slightly so that the nail pushes up and away from your body. "For external clitoral stimulation, it’s possible to masturbate without your nails getting in the way at all by angling your finger upwards slightly," she explains.
Beware, however, of cramping! "You may not find this method very relaxing because you need to hold constant tension in your finger for the duration of time you’re masturbating," Wood warns.
Culled from Mashable
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