How To Remove Nail Extensions At Home Without Harm (A Complete Guide)
The holidays are over, and it’s time to take off those beautiful holiday nails. I hate it when my nails stop matching the season, but I’ve found an easy way to remove them at home. Now, I don’t have to run to the salon every time I want to remove my fake nails.
Removing fake nails at home may seem daunting, but it’s actually pretty easy if you do it right. All you need are a few things around the house and some free time. In this blog, I’ll show you how I safely remove my fake nails at home.
If you can’t make it to the salon, don’t worry – you can still do it yourself. I’ve shared my full method with easy steps and a video to help you out. Just follow along, take your time, and you’ll have clean, healthy nails again in no time.
Step-By-Step Process for Removing Fake Nails at Home
Here’s how to easily remove acrylic, gel, press-on, or fake nails at home:-
Step 1: File
Use a nail filer to thin your fake nails. File the edges, tips, and base close to your cuticles. If your nails have stones or decorations, file them gently. When you file them well, the acetone or soap can penetrate the nails better and help them come off faster.
Step 2: Soak
If you have time, you can use liquid soap. Add 2-3 tablespoons of soap to warm water. Put your filed nails in a bowl and wait 15 minutes. If you want it done faster, use acetone instead. It will remove the nails in 5 minutes. But acetone can dry out your skin.
Step 3: Remove
If you have gel polish, it will start to come off on its own. Use a cotton pad, dip it in acetone, and rub your nails to remove the gel. If you have acrylic nails, do the same or use a toothpick to lift the hard parts. For press-on nails, use a toothpick to gently push down from the bottom. If some parts are still sticking out, use a cuticle cutter to cut them off. If you want to keep your press-on nails, soak them a little longer to remove them without breaking them.
Step 4: Buff
Now that your fake nails are gone, clean your natural nails. Use a nail buffer to remove any glue or leftover pieces. This will make your nails smooth and clean. Buff gently to even out the surface of the nails.
Step 5: Hydrate
Your nails and fingers may feel dry after using acetone or soap. Apply cuticle oil around your nails. This helps repair and moisturize your weak and dry nails. Then use hand cream to soften your hands and fingers again.
How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home?
There are some safe ways to remove acrylic nails at home. Some methods don’t even require acetone. If doing it yourself seems a little intimidating, don’t worry. Removing acrylic nails without damaging them is easier than you think.
Whether you love a French manicure or bright neon nails, the following steps can help you remove them safely.
What Is The Safest Way to Remove Acrylic?
The safest and fastest way to remove acrylic is to go to a salon. Nail experts know how to do it properly. They have better tools and stronger products than at home, which helps avoid damaging your nails.
If you can’t go to a salon, try soaking your nails in acetone at home. Go slowly, be gentle, and be patient. The slower you go, the better you’ll be able to protect your nails and the skin around them.
What You Need to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home
The first step before removing acrylic nails at home is to prepare all your tools. When you have everything in one place, the process becomes quick and easy. Below is a simple list of what you will need:
Acetone: Acetone is a strong liquid that people use in nail polish remover. It helps dissolve acrylic nails so that you can easily remove them. Make sure you have enough to get the job done.
Cotton balls: You will need cotton balls to soak in acetone and place on your nails. This helps the acetone reach the acrylic nails properly.
Aluminum foil: Use foil to wrap your fingers after applying the acetone cotton. This helps trap the heat, which will help the acrylic nails come off faster.
Nail clippers: Cut your acrylic nails short before you start. This step makes removal easier and prevents the nails from pulling or breaking.
Nail file: Gently file the top layer of your acrylic nails. This helps the acetone absorb better and makes removal easier.
Buffer block: After removing the acrylic nails, use a buffer block to smooth your real nails and make them look better.
Vaseline, cuticle oil, moisturizer: After removing, use these to rub on your nails and skin. It keeps your nails soft and prevents them from drying out.
Final Thoughts
At this point, it’s important to say that you should go to your nail artist to remove gel nails that were done at the salon. You can try to remove gel nails without acetone, but it can do more harm than good to your natural nails.
If you use the right steps, you can remove other fake nails (like acrylic or stick-ons) without acetone. Things like non-acetone nail polish remover, warm soapy water, cuticle oil, and a nail file can help and won’t harm your skin or nails. Some of these methods (like filing) may take longer than acetone, but they keep your nails safe.
So, it’s your choice to choose what works best for you! Using the tips above, you can remove acrylic nails at home without acetone. Be slow and gentle when removing your nails, and always use a good hand cream to keep your hands and nails soft.
