Fake nails are beautiful to look at, but removing them is a little tricky if you've never done it before. You can contact a professional or you can try to remove them yourself. Soak your nails in the soapy water and then remove the glue or acrylic material gradually with the file. Start with a medium-grit file, then remove any remaining glue residue with a brick file or acetone. If your nails are acrylic, peel them off with the help of acetone and then remove the residual material with a brick file. In no time your natural nails will be clean and ready for a new manicure.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Remove False Nails
Step 1. Soak your nails in warm soapy water for 15 minutes
Fill a bowl or sink with hot water, then add some mild hand soap. Dip your fingers in the water so that the false nails are completely submerged and soak them for 15 minutes.
- Hot soapy water will soften the glue, so the fake nails will come off easier.
- Another option is to soak your nails in pure acetone, but be careful and use only a small amount as it is much more aggressive on your skin, cuticles and natural nails than soap.
- Alternatively, you can use a cuticle oil to soften the glue. Pour a few drops under the fake nail and let it penetrate through the glue.
Step 2. Peel off the false nails gently
Look for a corner where the false nail has already begun to come off and pull it very gently from there. If you can't find a part where it is raised, take a sharp file, insert it under the tip of the nail and start lifting it very gently.
Do not try to tear off the false nail without first loosening it. If necessary, put your fingers back to soak in the hot soapy water and try again after a few minutes
Step 3. Use a brick file to remove excess glue
After removing the false nails gently, wait until your natural nails are dry and then smooth the surface with a brick file to make the glue layer thinner. When most of the glue has come off, rinse your nails under water to clean any residual dust.
If you got a good result, you can use the other sides of the brick file to polish your nails and make them shine
Step 4. If there are still glue residues, remove them with acetone
Soak a cotton ball with acetone and rub it on your nails, one at a time, to remove the last traces of glue. Finally, wash your hands with soap and water to remove acetone and other residues from the skin and nails.
If your nails feel dry after using acetone, massage them with a small amount of hand cream or cuticle oil
Method 2 of 3: Remove Acrylic Nails
Step 1. Shorten your nails as much as possible
Unlike traditional false nails that stick to natural nails with glue, acrylic ones are made from a material that adheres directly to natural nails. Use your nail clipper or scissors to shorten your acrylic nails as much as possible, but be careful not to cut the natural ones as well. This step will speed up the following ones because the amount of acrylic material to dissolve will be less.
- Be careful not to get close to the nail bed so as not to injure yourself.
- This method is also suitable for removing nail polish applied with the "dip powder" technique.
Step 2. Smooth the shiny surface of the false nails
If your acrylic nails are still attached to your natural nails, use a file to smooth the shiny surface. Move the file back and forth until you have eliminated the shiny surface of the nails making them dull. Try to smooth each part of the nail evenly to make the next steps faster and more effective.
When you see your natural nail appear, switch to the next acrylic nail to avoid damaging it
Step 3. Remove the dust left by the file with a clean dry cloth
A microfiber cloth is the ideal option as it is inexpensive and effective, but you can use any cloth instead. Remove the dust left by the file on the nails to allow the acetone to directly contact the residual acrylic material.
Step 4. Protect the skin around the nails with petroleum jelly
Apply it along the nail profile to protect the skin from the aggressive action of acetone. A thin layer is enough, but well distributed on all sides.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, it is best to apply a thicker layer of petroleum jelly
Step 5. Apply acetone to the nails of one hand using the cotton pads
Prepare 5 cotton pads and soak them one at a time with acetone. You can pour the acetone directly onto the discs or into a bowl where you can dip them; evaluate which is the simplest solution based on the type of bottle. Wrap the discs around your fingertips.
- Alternatively, you can use cotton balls.
- You can buy acetone and cotton pads at any supermarket. If you have sensitive skin, choose a nail polish remover that works quickly but gently.
- Vapors released by acetone are potentially toxic, so use it in a well-ventilated area.
Step 6. Secure the cotton on the nails using the aluminum foil
Tear off pieces of aluminum foil 5 cm long and a couple of wide. Check that the cotton is in the correct position and wrap the strip of aluminum foil around the tip of your finger.
- The tinfoil will trap heat and moisture around the nail to prevent the acetone from evaporating before it has had time to soften the acrylic material. This is an effective way to speed up the process.
- After wrapping all your nails in foil, switch to those on your other hand. If it's too complicated, get someone to help you or wait until you've removed the cotton and paper from one hand before moving on to the other.
Step 7. Let the acetone sit for 20 minutes
Start the timer and let the acetone do its job. When the time runs out, remove the foil wrapping and cotton pad from your nails. By then the acrylic material should have softened considerably.
- If after unwrapping the first nail you find that the acrylic material is still not soft, reposition the cotton and aluminum foil and let the acetone sit for another 15 minutes.
- If your work surface is made of wood or plastic, acetone could damage it, so be careful and throw the cotton pads directly into the waste bin.
Step 8. Remove the acrylic material with a wipe
Use a clean washcloth or rag to remove it from your natural nail. Press the fabric gently as you pass it over your nail, but stop at the first signs of pain.
Soak the other cotton pads with acetone and place them back on your nails if the acrylic material doesn't come off easily
Step 9. If necessary, smooth the surface of the nails with a brick file
Use the file only in places where the acrylic material has not come off completely. Apply light pressure and be careful not to damage the natural nail.
The brick file is a manicure tool easily available in perfumery and in the most well-stocked supermarkets
Method 3 of 3: Taking Care of Your Nails
Step 1. Wash your hands with warm soapy water
Left in contact with the skin, acetone tends to dry it out, so it is important to remove it completely by washing your hands well. If possible, use a natural soap so as not to deprive the skin of its protective oils.
In the absence of anything else you can use a normal soap
Step 2. Moisturize your skin and nails with a natural oil
The process of removing the glue or acrylic material tends to dehydrate the skin, cuticles and nails. Massage an oil all over the surface of your hands to restore their natural moisture.
Olive oil and almond oil have the ability to moisturize the tissues. Probably the olive oil is already present in your pantry, while you can buy the almond oil in perfumery, in pharmacies and in the most well-stocked supermarkets
Step 3. Let your natural nails rest between manicures
If you use false nails often, you should take a break from time to time. After removing the glue or acrylic material, give your nails a few days off before getting a new manicure.
- Try to give your nails at least a week off roughly every two months; they will benefit greatly in terms of health.
- If your nails are weak, consider using an alternative to glue that is easier to remove.
