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How to spot an AI nail image

It’s often said that comparison is the thief of joy, and for nail techs today, this phrase can ring true. You won’t be alone if you compare your nail skills to those you see on social media – but there’s a big reason why you shouldn’t, and that’s artificial intelligence. AI-generated nail images are becoming increasingly prevalent across digital platforms, and while you might think ‘I’m savvy, I can detect a fake nail image’, know that AI is savvy too.

When the world first cottoned on to the potential of artificial intelligence image generators, it’s likely you saw some strange-looking AI nail designs – perhaps on hands with seven fingers and no thumbs. The technology wasn’t so advanced then, and while it still makes mistakes, its development means that AI nail images might not be as obvious as you think. That’s why I’ve put together this handy guide, featuring eight tips to detect AI-generated nail pictures. I also urge you to trust your gut – as you’ve worked hard to become a tech and know the look of nails, hands and feet.

Look at the details

AI programmes create images using data from pictures online, but can struggle to combine this data comprehensibly. This is why a nail image might seem realistic overall, but a check of details such as logos, text or patterns can help you to detect AI-generated mistakes.

Aberdeen-based nail artist, Katie Ru of @i.katie.ru, comments: “AI nail designs often feature elements that wouldn’t make sense spatially on a nail – like impossibly detailed 3D textures, or art that ‘floats’ without flow or purpose. Sometimes, there may be an extra Katie Ru finger or a finger missing. When you know how real hands move and what designs look like on real nails, you can tell if an image is synthetic.”

Instagram.com/omayra.nails

Dallas-based home salon owner, Omayra Altamira (@omayra.nails), highlighted the use of AI on social fmedia, by sharing this nail design representing September’s Virgo zodiac sign. The five fingers and inaccurate symbol for the star sign show that the style was created using AI.

Created using ChatGPT, this 3D look doesn’t adorn the nails as well as one created by a nail professional.

Check for perfection

If a nail design seems too good to be true, it probably is. You know from your work that skin and nail perfection don’t exist, so don’t be fooled by overly smooth, airbrushed and glossy textures. I reached out to Scratch’s Instagram followers to find out how they detect AI nail images, and the most common response was nail and skin perfection. Respondents referred to doll or silicone-like skin textures without wrinkles.

Holly Rodgers

“I spot AI nail designs from their lack of imperfections,” notes Halo VIP, Holly Rodgers of @hrbeauty_x. “Nail art will never be 100% symmetrical, but this is how AI creates it. No matter how hard you try to perfect your skills, this is impossible to achieve.”

Artificial intelligence artist, @anna_neuro_ai, posted this image, sharing ways to spot an AI-generated nail picture. These include ‘unreal finger proportions’, for example fingers that are too long, short or oddly shaped, ‘plastic-like skin’ without pores, folds or texture, and an ‘unnaturally perfect nail shine’.

Instagram.com/anna_neuro_ai

Consider lighting

When combining data to create an image, AI programmes can incorrectly present natural lighting and shadows. For example, the lighting on nail art might be inconsistent with the rest of an image, or the shadow of a hand may not line up if pieced together from various data sources. Alternatively, lighting may be too consistent across a picture, creating an airbrushed effect.

The incorrect shadow in this image by artificial intelligence nail artist, @nails.byfoxlyra, is a sign that it is AI-generated.

Instagram.com/nails.byfoxlyra

Investigate the source

Just as you might inspect the source of a piece of news to determine if it’s fake, the same can be done for social media nail images. Ask yourself: does the account that has shared the nail picture seem like a reliable source, and what is the purpose of its posts? How many followers does it have, and who are they? What are the comments on its posts like?

Examine the resolution

An image’s resolution refers to its level of detail and definition, and AI programmes can struggle to create a coherent resolution throughout an image. This may present as a mix of extremely focused and blurry areas, or inconsistent textures across one picture.

The range of blurry and sharp areas in this nail picture, shared by @laurel.dxb, creates an unrealistic effect and indicates that it is AI-generated.

Instagram.com/laurel.dxb

Look for watermarks

Some AI image generators add a watermark to their creations, which is a clear signifier of their origin. On Meta’s social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook, a post shows an ‘AI info’ tag when either the account behind the content, or the Meta team, has flagged that it was created using AI.

The environmental effects of AI images

While the societal repercussions of artificial intelligence are widely talked about, are you aware of the environmental impacts of the technology? AI image generation is the most energy and carbon-intensive AI-based task, according to ACM Digital Library. Its 2024 research, which examined 88 AI models, found that a single AI-generated image can use as much energy as half a smartphone charge.

Hannah Clayton

A note for nail pros

“Because [AI nail images] are so smooth and perfect, they fare well on social media. But remember, they’re computer-made images – not a reflection of your skill, training or growth,” shares Hannah Clayton, nail business mentor & Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist 2024 and 2025. “AI is clever – but it’s not you. We should remind our audiences (and ourselves) that perfection isn’t the goal. A robot cannot replace the energy and effort we bring to every single appointment.”

Use an AI image detector

There are tools that can calculate if an image was produced using artificial intelligence, and the level of creative input from a human. While conclusions can vary across these – meaning they can’t be fully trusted, the tools can offer a basic insight into the role AI has played in a picture’s production. Here are some examples of AI image detectors: www.isgen.ai/ai-image-detectorwww.aiornot.comwww.undetectable.ai/ai-image-detector

Check the metadata

Nail images taken by a human contain photographic information called metadata, such as the camera make, date and time the photo was taken, exposure settings and GPS coordinates if location services were enabled. AI-generated pictures will likely lack this.

There are simple ways to check if an image contains metadata. This information is stored in an EXIF (exchangeable image file format) within a picture file. It can be viewed by uploading an image to websites like www.exifmeta.com, or right clicking on a picture file on a computer and selecting ‘Properties’ (on Windows) or ‘Get Info’ (on Mac).

Tacoma-based nail tech, Joy Lee (@nailsby_joylee), used an AI nail design to inspire aspects of a client’s nail style.

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“If a client brings an AI nail design to me as inspiration, I use it to determine the vibe of their desired style – not as a blueprint,” shares Katie Ru. “I explain this to the client and dissect the image to understand what they are drawn to. Is it the colour, shape, mood or detail? I then use my artistic intuition to rebuild the design in a way that is wearable, soulful and real. It’s about translating fantasy into craftsmanship.”

“I’m happy to take inspiration from an AI-generated picture, however am always clear with the client that the result won’t be a copy of the image, as it is not real,” says Holly Rodgers. “It’s not been possible to recreate some AI nail pictures I’ve been shown, due to the detail involved and time this would take to achieve. Clients are always pleased with their outcomes, as I check they are happy at each stage of their appointments.”

Instagram.com/nailsby_joylee

SCRATCH SAYS...

While we acknowledge that AI can be used to spark ideas, we strive to inspire via the creations of the global nail community, and celebrate the hard work of those within it. We have noticed an increasing amount of AI-generated nail images being sent to or shared with us and have chosen not to publish these across our platforms, as we do not believe they are relatable or representative of our audience.