If your dip nails don’t look as gorgeous as they used to be, it’s perhaps time for you to remove those dips. This article outlines methods for you on how to remove dip nails.
Dip nails are also known as SNS nails. It involves you dipping your nails into a colored powder to apply them. They’re durable and natural-looking. However, the problem is that most dip nail lovers don’t know how to go about removal when the time comes.
Once the first nail cracks, you might be tempted to resort to biting, pulling, and picking the dip nails in hopes of them getting off. Yes, it’s tempting but no, it’s never a good idea.
Forcing dip nails to come off is not advisable because doing that will break down layers of your nails and this will leave your nails dry and weak.
Dip nails are not exactly easy to remove because of their thick layers. However, there are several ways and techniques to remove dip nails without causing damage to your nails.
How to Remove Dip Nails
Dip powder nails are perhaps the most attractive nails a manicure can get you. It involves a mixture of nail wax (which is similar to glue) and colored powder to formulate a lasting manicure.
On initial glimpse at dip nails, it may seem like gel nails or short acrylic nails, but the process of formulating them is relatively different. The term of this category of manicure is derived from the act of “dipping” the nails in the powder.
However, looking at the downside, they consist of many layers of nail wax and powder that make them thick. Therefore, they are not exactly the easiest to take off, particularly if you decide to do it at home by yourself.
Nevertheless, be rest assured that if circumstances don’t permit you to get a professional to remove your dip nails for you, there are ways you can safely remove them in the comfort of your home.
One of the considerable advantages of removing them properly is; it doesn’t damage the nail beds. Do you want to try removing dip nails at home? Below are different methods you can try.
1. Remove Dip Nails Using Acetone
You can easily remove dip nails with the use of acetone. Acetone is a strong chemical that will easily break through the layers of dip nails, making the removal quite easy.
There are two methods of removing dip nails with acetone, you can either use cotton balls and foil or soak your nails into a bowl of acetone.
The Foil Method
What you need for this method:
- Crusty Grit Nail File
- 100% Pure Acetone
- Cotton Balls
- Foil Sheets
- Hand Towels for each hand
- Plastic Baggies for each hand
How to do it:
- File down the shiny topcoat of your dip nails.
- Cut out 10 small rectangular shapes from the foil sheet. Ensure that it is wide enough to wrap around your fingernails.
- Rub petroleum jelly on the cuticle area to protect your hand from acetone. This will help to moisten the skin throughout the removal process.
- Soak the cotton balls in acetone.
- Place one cotton ball on each nail.
- Now use the foil to wrap the cotton balls on the nails to keep them in place.
- You can now place the hand towels and plastic bags on each hand as this will help speed up the whole removal process. (Optional)
- Allow the cotton balls to sit on the nails for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the wraps now. While removing the wraps, the dip powder should come off with it.
- You can remove leftover nail powder with a few swipes of an acetone-soaked cotton ball.
The Bowl Soaking Method
You can use this method if you do not find the foil and cotton ball method doable for you.
What you need for this method:
- Coarse grit Nail File
- 100% Pure Acetone
- Cotton Balls
- A Small Bowl
- 1 Paper Towel
- 1 Hand Towel
How to do it:
- Start by filing down your dip nails
- Pour enough acetone to cover your fingernails into a bowl
- Dip your nails into the bowl of acetone and let it soak.
- Now fold the paper towel into the bowl at the bottom.
- Move your fingernails back and forth on it to help your dip powder dissolve faster.
- Do this for 10-15 minutes.
- Bring out your nails from the bowl
- Wipe the residue of the dip powder off with an acetone-soaked cotton ball.
Note: Do not forget to rub petroleum jelly to your cuticles and fingertips when you use acetone to remove dip nails or any other fake nail because acetone is a harsh chemical. It can cause the skin to be weak and dry.
Be careful when using acetone for nail removal, always protect the delicate skin around your fingernails by rubbing petroleum jelly or cuticle oil. Also, cover up your table or any surface from acetone to avoid scratches or further damage.
SEE: Get Fake Nails Off With These 6 Effective Nail Removal Techniques
2. Use White Vinegar
If you are not comfortable using acetone to remove dip nails, you can substitute the harsh chemical for white vinegar.
You can follow the steps below like they’re summed up above on how to remove your dip nails
What you need for this:
- White Vinegar
- A small bowl
- Cotton balls
How to do it:
- Start by filing down your dip nails
- Pour into a bowl adequate white vinegar to cover your fingernails.
- Insert your nails in the bowl of white vinegar and let it soak.
- Now fold the paper towel into the bowl at the bottom.
- Move your fingernails back and forth on it to help your dip powder dissolve faster.
- Do this for 10-15 minutes.
- Bring out your nails from the bowl
- Wipe the residue of the dip powder off with a cotton ball soaked into white vinegar.
3. Alcohol
Here is another solid substitute for white vinegar and acetone.
What you need for this:
- Alcohol
- Small bowl
- Cotton balls
How to do it:
- Start by filing down your dip nails
- Pour into a bowl sufficient alcohol to cover your fingernails.
- Insert your nails in a bowl of alcohol and let it soak.
- Now fold the paper towel into the bowl at the bottom.
- Move your fingernails back and forth on it to help your dip powder dissolve faster.
- Do this for 10-15 minutes.
- Bring out your nails from the bowl
- Wipe the residue of the dip powder off with a cotton ball soaked into alcohol.
SEE: What Is Nail Dipping? Learn This Before You Get Dip Powder Nails
4. Baking Soda and Toothpaste
If however, you do not like the previously mentioned methods of removing dip nails, you can try using baking soda and toothpaste.
What you need for this:
- Baking soda
- Toothpaste
- A small bowl
How to do it:
- Start by filing down your dip nails
- Mix both the baking soda and toothpaste in a small bowl.
- Apply the mixture on your nails and let it cover your nails.
- Let it sit for about 20-25 minutes.
- Wipe the residue of the dip powder off with a cotton ball.
SEE: How to Fix a Cracked Nail + Preventive Tips
How to Care For Your Hands After Removing Dip Nails
As stunning as long-lasting dip nails are, they are always at the expense of your nail health if you do not appropriately care for your nail beds. Here are a few quick tips to help you maintain and care for your nails before and after using dip powder.
- After removing all the power and layers from your dip manicure, wash your hands thoroughly with gentle soap.
- Be sure that you attend to the tips of your fingers and nails. Ensure that there is no residue of acetone left on your hands. Leaving acetone on the skin may cause the skin to dry out.
- After rinsing your hands well, dry your hands and nails well with a clean towel.
- It’s time to moisturize your nails. Do this after washing and drying your hands.
- Coconut oil does miracles on nails. It is filled with fatty acids, and that might help to protect against fungal infections.
- Pure sweet almond oil is full of useful vitamins and is non-greasy, apply it on your fingernails.
- You can also try using olive oil. You can soak your natural nails in this oil to hydrate and keep them healthy.
- Use your favorite hand or cuticle cream to rub skin shrouding your nails.
- Avoid the temptation to re-do your manicure right after getting it off, It is important to give your nails a break between manicures. This will help save your nails from becoming brittle and dehydrated.
SEE: Best Gel Nail Polish
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove dip nails at home?
You can remove dip nails at home with any of the methods mentioned in this article. You can do this with or without the use of Acetone.
A standard nail polish remover won’t be effective in the removal process. Use 100% pure acetone for fast removal as this is the only solvent that can easily penetrate and break down the layers of the dip nails. Follow the step-by-step guide of any of the techniques mentioned in this article.
How do you remove dip powder nails fast?
The fastest way to remove dip oil is by soaking it in pure acetone. Here is how to do it:
- Start by filing down your dip nails
- Pour enough acetone to cover your fingernails into a bowl
- Let your nails soak in the bowl of acetone
- Now fold the paper towel into the bowl at the bottom.
- Move your fingernails back and forth on it to help your dip powder dissolve faster.
- Do this for 10-15 minutes.
- Wipe the residue of the dip powder off with an acetone-soaked cotton ball.
How do you remove dip nails without the use of acetone?
If you are not comfortable using acetone to remove dip nails, you can substitute the harsh chemical for white vinegar, alcohol or baking soda, and toothpaste.
You can follow the summed-up step-by-step guide on how to use either one of these three for nail removal.
Conclusion
The number one thing you need for every DIY nail removal technique is patience.
Being inpatient during dip nails removal can cause you to lose several layers of your natural nails. You need to understand that the removal process is just as important as the application process.
So if you’re wondering how to remove your dip powder nails, you came to the right place. Follow the step-by-step guide and tips mentioned in the article to help you achieve a smooth removal without damaging your nails and nail beds.
Thanks for reading.
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