Fake nails such as acrylic nails or gel nail polish can turn an otherwise ordinary nail look into a glamorous one in no time. However, you definitely don't want to spend any more money when you remove these fake nails. Luckily, you can remove it yourself at home using a technique similar to that at a salon, and without waiting long, your nails are ready to take on their new look!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Acetone Moistened Cotton and Tinfoil
Step 1. Cut the acrylic nails to reduce their size
On acrylic nails, cutting like this will reduce the surface area that the acetone has to penetrate. As a result, the acetone will loosen the nails more easily. So, trim the acrylic nails until they are parallel to your natural nails.
Do not trim your natural nails until the acrylic nails have been removed
Step 2. Use a coarse nail file to thin the acrylic nail layer or peel off the top layer of gel nail polish
Rub the file back and forth on the surface of the acrylic nail where it meets the natural nail (near the cuticle pad) or over the entire surface of the gel polish. File the nail until the adhesive layer under the acrylic nail is exposed or the protective layer of glossy gel nail polish is peeling off.
- Don't skip this step! Filing your nails will make it easier for the acetone to work, so you can loosen the false nails faster.
- Do not file too deep or the surface of the original nail will peel off too, so there is a risk of infection.
Step 3. Cut the foil into 10 rectangles to wrap around your fingertips
Use scissors to cut the foil to a size of about 10 x 5 cm.
Check the first piece of tinfoil before continuing. Make sure the paper is large enough to cover the entire surface of the nail along with the cotton ball or gauze. The ends of the foil should overlap so that they can be closed tightly
Step 4. Wet a cotton ball or gauze with acetone then place it on the nail surface
Pour the acetone onto a cotton ball or gauze until it's wet, but not dripping. After that, place the cotton directly on the nail surface.
- For acrylic nails, make sure you place the cotton swab in the center of the area that has been filed until the adhesive layer is exposed.
- For gel nail polish, make sure you put a cotton swab that has been soaked in acetone so that it covers the entire surface of the nail.
- Keep in mind that you can also use non-acetone nail polish remover. However, it will take longer than if you were using pure acetone.
Step 5. Wrap the foil around the nail to hold the cotton swab soaked in acetone in place
Place your fingertips in the center of the foil. After that, wrap the top of the tinfoil past the tip of the nail and both sides around the finger like a tent. Fold the tip of the foil several times to secure the cotton to the fingertips.
No need to worry if the paper wrap is not as neat as in the salon. As long as the foil can cover your fingertips tightly, the cotton swab soaked in acetone won't slide off so it can work
Step 6. Repeat the above steps on all nails
Continue to apply cotton or gauze soaked in acetone and then wrap the foil over the entire nail. The last few dressings may be more difficult because your fingertips are almost completely covered in tinfoil.
- If possible, ask friends or family to help bandage the last few nails.
- Alternatively, remove the false nails from 1 hand first.
Step 7. Wait for 20 minutes before removing the foil wrap
You may not be able to do much with your fingertips still wrapped in foil. So, relax for about 20 minutes. Try watching TV, listening to music, or just lying down and relaxing.
The foil wrap around your fingertips may prevent you from operating your phone for the next 20 minutes. So, it's a good time to charge your phone
Step 8. Use a cuticle push stick to peel off any remaining adhesive or nail polish
After 20 minutes, remove one of the foil wraps. Try pulling acrylic nails by tucking the tip of a cuticle push stick between the real and fake nails. Meanwhile, try removing the gel nails by peeling off the layers using a cuticle push stick. If the acrylic or gel nail polish comes off easily, continue removing the foil wraps from the other finger tips one at a time and using a cuticle push stick to peel off the adhesive or nail polish.
- If both acrylic and gel nail polish are still difficult to remove, put back the foil wrap you just removed. Leave the bandage on the other finger for another 5 minutes, then try again.
- Remember to peel off the foil wraps one at a time and immediately peel off the adhesive layer or gel nail polish.
Step 9. Remove adhesive residue with a nail polishing sponge
Once all the acrylic or gel nail polish has been removed, use a nail scrubbing sponge to remove any adhesive or polish residue from your natural nail. Rub this sponge all over the nail with gentle pressure back and forth.
You may need to rub your nails more vigorously at some point to remove any excess adhesive or paint
Tip: acetone can make the skin around the nail dry. So, apply a lot of hand lotion on your hands and nails after the fake nails have been removed.
Method 2 of 3: Soaking Nails in Acetone
Step 1. Cut the acrylic nails as short as possible
If you're using acrylic nails, this will reduce the surface area of the nail, making it easier for the acetone to loosen. So, cut the acrylic nails until they are parallel to the real nails.
Don't cut your real nails first! Wait for the fake nails to be removed before trimming your real nails
Step 2. Rub the surface of the acrylic or gel nail polish with a rough file
Prepare an emery board or a rough file and then rub it back and forth on the surface of each nail. For acrylic nails, simply rub the file where the false nail and natural nail meet (near the cuticle pad) until the adhesive layer is exposed. Meanwhile, for gel nail polish, rub a file all over the surface of the nail until it doesn't look shiny anymore.
Acrylic nails stick on top of real nails. So, acetone will be difficult to penetrate unless filed first. Similarly, gel nail polish also has a clear protective layer on its surface. Filing both acrylic nails as well as a top coat of gel nail polish before soaking them in acetone will make this process quicker and easier
Step 3. Pour pure acetone into a small bowl
Use a glass bowl that is shallow, but large enough to accommodate all of your fingertips at once. Preferably, use a 500 ml volume bowl. Fill it to half full with pure acetone.
- You can buy pure acetone at a cosmetic store or pharmacy.
- You can also use a non-acetone nail polish remover if you prefer. However, it may take longer than if you used acetone nail polish remover.
Step 4. Place the bowl of acetone into a large bowl of hot water
Warm acetone will work faster and more effectively remove false nails. Prepare a bowl that is 2 times the size of the acetone bowl and fill it about full with hot water. After that, put the bowl of acetone into the bowl of hot water.
Make sure the hot water doesn't spill into the acetone bowl. Slowly add the bowl of acetone to the bowl of hot water. If hot water seems to be getting into the acetone bowl, reduce the volume of the water and try again
Tip: acetone is a strong chemical that can dry out your skin. If desired, pour a few drops of baby oil into a bowl of acetone to help reduce the impact.
Step 5. Soak nails in acetone for 10 minutes
Dip your nails into the acetone until the cuticles are submerged. Let the nails soak for 10 minutes. The acetone will loosen the adhesive on the acrylic nails or dissolve the gel nail polish.
To reduce the contact of the acetone on the skin, point your finger so that only your fingernail is submerged in it
Step 6. Lift the nails out of the acetone and check if the artificial nails are starting to loosen
When the time is up, remove your fingertips from the acetone and examine your nails. Slide the cuticle push stick between the real and fake nails and see if you can remove them easily. Use the tip of the cuticle pusher to gently peel off the remaining gel nail polish. Do this step on all nails.
If the acrylic nails are still difficult to remove or if the gel nail polish is still difficult to peel off, soak your nails in acetone for a few more minutes
Step 7. Peel off any remaining adhesive or gel nail polish with a cuticle push stick
Continue removing the artificial nails when after soaking they can be easily removed using a cuticle push stick. Remove all the acrylic nails and peel off all the gel nail polish.
If you're using acrylic nails, you'll also need to peel off any excess adhesive with a cuticle push stick
Method 3 of 3: Removing Acrylic Nails with Dental Floss
Step 1. Be aware that this technique may damage your natural nail
This acrylic nail removal technique is not recommended by professional nail care practitioners. Using dental floss to remove artificial nails can cause the natural nail to be pulled out, causing pain and can lead to infection.
Step 2. Purchase dental floss with sticks
Dental floss is sold in many places and is perfect for removing artificial nails. To make it even easier, it's a good idea to choose dental floss specifically made for cleaning tight spaces, such as Glide.
If you don't have or don't want to buy floss sticks, you can also use regular floss. However, you may need someone else's help as you won't be able to floss with just one hand
Step 3. Use the tip of a toothpick on dental floss to loosen the false nails
The end of the floss stick should be pointed. Tuck this section under the acrylic nail so that it forms a gap. Be careful not to go deep into the acrylic nails. Simply lift the tip of the acrylic nail slightly where it meets the natural nail.
Tip: a cuticle stick can also be used to pry acrylic nails.
Step 4. Press the dental floss on the surface of the natural nail and slide it under the acrylic nail
Place the dental floss on the surface of the natural nail at the point where it meets the acrylic nail. After that, press the dental floss down and push it under the acrylic nail.
If you ask someone else to use regular floss, have them tighten the floss and press it against the natural nail
Step 5. Push the floss by sliding it right and left
Slide the dental floss back and forth like cleaning between teeth. Hold the acrylic nail with 1 finger to hold it in position. Continue pushing the floss until it reaches the tip of the natural nail, and the acrylic nail can be removed.
Make sure to push the floss slowly. If you push too fast, some of your natural nail may come off
Step 6. Repeat the above steps to remove the entire acrylic nail
Continue removing the false nails one by one until you're done. After that, file, trim, and scrub the natural nail to clean it. Next, you are free to take care of your nails however you like!
Warning
- Pure acetone is flammable! Keep this chemical away from heat and fire.
- Pure acetone can stain or discolor clothes and objects. Therefore, lay out a towel to protect the area where you are going to remove your nails and put on an old T-shirt.
- Never try to pull or peel acrylic or gel nail polish without loosening them with acetone first! Your natural nail can come off as well and as a result you will feel sore and may even get an infection.
