Do you need to get fake nails off but can’t make it to a salon? I have been there too. This article will reveal to you how to get fake nails off with easy techniques.
Fake nails, such as acrylics or gel nails, are usually what you go to do at the salon when you go for your manicure. When you want to elevate how your natural nails look from normal to gorgeous, you go for it.
However, getting these nails off can be a hassle, and oftentimes, you have to go to a salon to get them off when you are tired of them. In situations where you can’t make it to a salon to get the nails off, you become lost on what to do.
No matter the situation, don’t resort to biting the nails or forcefully pulling them off as this may damage your natural nails.
How to Safely Get Fake Nails Off
You go to a salon to get your nails fixed, how about when you want to get them off? You might want to save yourself some bucks. Luckily, you can get fake nails off at home using simple techniques that nail technicians use.
However, one needs to be careful when trying to get fake nails off. Removing the nails forcefully will result in peeling several layers of your natural nail. So, if you decide to fix fake nails, below are some handy tools you need for damage-free removal:
- A gravel nail file
- Pure acetone polish remover
- Cotton balls
- Aluminum foil
- Small bowl
- Cuticle pusher
- Nail buffer.
1. Using Acetone-Soaked Cotton and Tin Foil
This is one of the two methods of removing fake nails with acetone. Cut down fake nails to lessen the covering area. This will help reduce the amount of surface area that the acetone has got to infiltrate. Trimming down the nails makes it easier for the acetone to slacken your nails.
How to use this method:
- Cut the nails down to the level of your natural nails, and avoid trimming your natural nails before removing the acrylics.
- Use a crusty nail file to thin the acrylic nails. Use a back and forth motion over the nails. Do this until you uncover the adhesive under your nails.
- You can now file your nails, this will make it easier for the acetone to help loosen your nails faster.
- Cut out 10 rectangles from the foil, make sure they are wide enough to go round your nails and the cotton ball.
- Soak a cotton ball into acetone, remove and position it over your nail.
- To do this on acrylics, ensure that the cotton ball is placed over the area you filed.
- For gel nails, ensure that the cotton ball is coating the entire nail.
- It’s time to wrap the foil around your nail, this will help to secure the cotton balls you placed on your nails.
- Repeat this process on the remaining nine of your nails.
- Wait for about 20 minutes before unwrapping.
- After 20 minutes, remove one cap at a time.
- Use a cuticle pusher to scrub off the lingering adhesive or polish.
- Use your foam buffer to remove any stuck-on bits.
Tips:
- Using acetone will cause you to have dry skin around your nails. Be sure to apply a hand lotion on your hands after taking off your fake nails.
- Be careful when filing down your nails to avoid removing part of your natural nail, this can make your nails prone to a nail infection.
2. Soak Nails Into Acetone
This is another method of removing fake nails with acetone. Follow the steps below:
How to use this method:
- Cut off excess acrylics and avoid cutting your natural nails.
- Use a nail buffer to roughen up the covering polish, this will make the acetone work faster to dissolve the nails.
- Pour some acetone into a bowl and soak your nails in it for about five minutes.
- Use a metal cuticle pusher to gently push your cuticles down.
- Dip your nails for another 5 minutes if the nails don’t come off, then gently push down again.
- Repeat this process till your fake nails have completely soaked off.
- Use your nail buffer to buff off the remaining residues from your nails.
- Massage some cuticle oil into your nails, as this will help to rehydrate them.
3. Use an Acetone-Free Nail Remover
If you do not wish to use acetone to take off your nails, there are various gentler alternatives that you can try out. You have an option of using acetone-free nail polish remover.
Most non-acetone nail removers include chemical solvents, however, they are less harsh on your nails compared to acetone.
This also means that the process will take a longer time because it isn’t as strong as acetone.
How to use this method:
- Use a nail clipper to cut down the excess nails while avoiding your natural nails.
- File the nails down with the use of a nail file. Avoid filing into your natural nails. This will aid easier penetration of the nail remover by removing any topcoat, gel polish, or nail art.
- Moisten a chunk of cotton with the remover and place it on your hand, then proceed to wrap foil around it.
- Repeat this on all fingers.
- Wait for about 20 minutes before removing the foil and cotton.
- Now, gently push down the nails from the cuticle.
- If you are not able to take off all the nails, repeat the process all over.
- File your nails to shape them and wash your hands to remove any lingering solution.
SEE: How to Remove Acrylic Nails- Simple Hacks You Need to Know
4. Remove Nails With Warm Water
Another option to try if you are avoiding chemicals is using warm water.
How to do it:
- Boil your water till it’s warm.
- You can put a little soap into the water.
- Soak your nails in the water for about 20 minutes.
- Try moving the nails while it’s still soaking so that they can soften faster.
- After 20 minutes, use a cuticle stick to push off the nails.
- If they don’t budge, soak them for another 10 minutes and try removing them again.
- Repeat the process until you remove all the nails.
5. Get Fake Nails off With Cuticle Oil
This is another method you can try if you are particular about avoiding harsh chemicals. Using cuticle oil is an exceptional method; because it heals and nourishes your nails, unlike the chemicals that leave your skin dry.
How to do this method:
- Soak each nail in cuticle oil for about five minutes and ensure that the oil gets under all areas of the nails.
Another way to do this is:
- Soak a cotton ball in the cuticle oil.
- Place on each finger.
- Hold it with either tape or tin foil.
- Leave for a few minutes until the nail slackens.
- Remove it now with a cuticle stick.
SEE: Nail Colors For Dark Skin: 21 Colors That Will Stand Out
6. Remove Fake Nails With Plastic Bag Soaks
Here is another way of removing your fake nails with a plastic bag.
How to do this method:
- Cut off your acrylic nails as short as you can without cutting your actual nails.
- Pour some pure acetone into a plastic bag. Don’t put too much, add just the amount that will fully cover your nails.
- Put your hands in the bag and let your nails soak into the acetone.
- Leave them to soak for about 20 minutes.
- Now, gently use a cuticle stick to take off the nails.
- If the nails don’t come off, soak them for five more minutes and try removing them again.
- Use your nail buffer to buff off the remaining residue on your nails.
SEE: Do-It-Yourself Ways to Remove Nail Glue
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I care for my natural nails after getting my fake nails off?
Use cuticle oil to moisturize and heal any damage acetone or any other chemicals may have caused your nails.
It is very important to do that, especially if you take your nails off with acetone or any other chemical nail remover. Nail removers leave your nails dry, therefore, be sure to moisturize your nails with oil often.
How do you get fake nails off at home without acetone?
You can use warm water instead of acetone. To do this;
- Boil your water till it’s warm.
- You can put a little soap into the water.
- Soak your nails in the water for about 20 minutes.
- Try moving the nails while it’s still soaking so that they can soften faster.
- After 20 minutes, use a cuticle stick to push off the nails.
- If they don’t budge, soak them for another 10 minutes and try removing them again.
- Repeat the process until you remove all the nails.
How do you remove glued fake nails?
The best way to remove glued nails is to soak them in acetone nail remover.
Pour some acetone in a glass bowl and soak your nails until the glue cracks down, and the nails become loose.
SEE: Try Retinol Serum, the Holy Grail of Skincare Products
Conclusion
Fake nails help to elevate your natural nails from normal to gorgeous. However, getting these nails off can be a hassle.
You have to go to a salon to get them off when you are tired of them.
In situations where you can’t make it to a salon to get the nails off, you become lost on what to do. However, there are several ways to take off your fake nails without going to a salon.
As stated in the article, you can remove fake nails with or without the use of acetone. However, you should know that even if you follow these steps, your nails might get compromised. It all depends on how carefully you manage to implement the removal.
If you are careful and patient enough, you can get your natural nails intact without any damages at the end.
Thanks for reading.
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