Acrylic nails may contract and tighten after application and this can cause discomfort; however it shouldn’t last longer than 24hrs. If you’re experiencing pain after that, it could be a sign of damage or infection, particularly if your nails were filed down too low or your cuticles were pushed back too far pre-application. To avoid infection, damage and discomfort, we always recommend having your acrylic nails applied, filled, and removed by an experienced nail technician.