10 Steps to Remove Fake Nails Without Damaging Your Own: Expert Tips

In March, many of us faced the sudden closure of salons across the country due to the rapid spread of coronavirus. This abrupt change left a lot of people, myself included, with gel or acrylic nails that needed proper care and maintenance.

Even though some states have reopened salons, I understand the hesitation to visit in person. For those like me who prefer the safety of home, the question arises: how do we remove our fake nails without causing damage? Whether you’re dealing with gel, acrylic, or press-on nails, each type requires a unique approach and products to ensure a safe and effective removal process.

Here’s how to remove fake nails of all different kinds.

Removing fake nails, whether they’re acrylic, gel, or press-on, can be a bit of a process, but it’s totally doable at home. Here’s how I go about it:

Soak Nails: For acrylic and gel nails, I soak a cotton ball in acetone, place it on the nail, and wrap my finger with foil.
Buff and Push: After 10-15 minutes, I use a manicure stick to gently push the fake nail off and buff away any residue.
Olive Oil Mix: For press-on nails, I prefer soaking them in a mix of olive oil, dish soap, and hot water for about 10 minutes before removing them easily.

How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home

Removing acrylic nails at home can be done safely with the right tools and techniques. Let me walk you through the steps I use to ensure my natural nails stay healthy.

Materials You’ll Need:

Coarse grit nail file (100/180 grit)
Medium grit nail file (220/320 grit)
Fine grit nail file (400/600 grit)
Padded buffer
Pure acetone (100% pure, not acetone polish remover)
Orangewood sticks
Cotton balls
Aluminum foil
Cuticle oil
Glass or ceramic bowl

Step-by-Step Instructions:

File Down the Acrylic:
Start by using your coarse grit nail file to file down the acrylic nails. Aim to remove about 75% of the acrylic, being careful not to cut the skin around your nails. This will help reduce the soaking time later.
Protect Your Cuticles:
Apply cuticle oil to the cuticle area and underneath the free edge of your nails. This will help protect from the drying effects of acetone. I usually use a dropper or a Q-tip to apply the oil to avoid any contamination from brush bristles.
Prepare the Acetone Soak:
Pour about 1 inch of pure acetone into a glass or ceramic bowl. It’s crucial to use a non-plastic bowl as acetone can degrade plastic.
Wrap Your Nails:
Soak cotton balls in acetone and place them over each nail. Wrap each finger with aluminum foil to hold the cotton balls in place. This method helps the acetone work without being too harsh on your hands.
Soak for 20 Minutes:
Allow your nails to soak in the acetone for about 20 minutes. Cover your hands with a towel to prevent evaporation and to let the acetone work more effectively with your body heat. Remember, never use actual heat as acetone is highly flammable.
Check the Acrylic:
After soaking, check to see if the acrylic has softened. You can gently scrape the softened acrylic off with an orangewood stick. If the product is still stuck, soak for an additional 5 minutes and check again. Repeat this process until you can scrape off the acrylic with minimal force.
Use the Medium Grit File:
Once most of the acrylic is removed, use the medium grit file to roll the remaining softened product off your nails. Ensure you do this gently to avoid damaging your natural nails.
Re-Soak if Necessary:
If there’s still some acrylic left, re-apply cuticle oil and re-soak your nails in acetone. Repeat the soaking and scraping process until all the acrylic is removed.
Buff Your Nails:
Finish by lightly buffing your nails with a fine grit file. This will smooth out any remaining residue and give your nails a polished look.
Rehydrate:
Apply cuticle oil generously to rehydrate your nails. Acrylics can be tough on your nail beds, so hydrating them post-removal is vital.

Recommended Products:

Cuticle Oil: Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil, CND Essentials Nail & Cuticle Oil
Acetone: Pronto 100% Pure Acetone
Nail Files: MAKARTT 100-180 Grit Nail Files
Orangewood Sticks

That’s it! With these steps, you should be able to remove your acrylic nails at home without damaging your natural nails. Happy nail care!

How to Remove Gel Nails at Home

Removing gel nails at home might seem daunting, but it’s quite manageable with the right steps and tools. Let me walk you through the process to safely and effectively take off those gel nails without causing damage to your natural nails.

What You’ll Need:

100% Pure Acetone
2-3 Medium Grit Nail Files (180 Grit)
Cotton Balls (Fluffier Ones Work Best)
2″x 2″ Squares of Aluminum Foil (Thin, Cheap Foil Preferred)
1 Padded Buffer
1-2 Orangewood Sticks
1 Medium Grit Nail File (220/320 Grit)
1 Fine Grit Nail File (400/600 Grit)
Cuticle Oil
A Glass or Ceramic Bowl

Steps:

Soften the Edge of Your Files
- Before you start, soften the edges of your files by running them along the side of another coarse nail file. This helps prevent cutting your cuticles during the process.
File Off the Topcoat
- With a 180 grit file, gently file off the top layer of the gel. Focus on removing the topcoat and not the actual polish itself. You’ll notice a change in the color and texture as you file.
Apply Cuticle Oil
- Generously apply cuticle oil around the cuticle area and underneath the free edge of your nail. Use a dropper or a Q-tip to make sure the oil is well distributed.
Soak Cotton in Acetone
- Take a small piece of cotton and saturate it completely in acetone. It’s crucial to use a lot of acetone because it evaporates quickly, which could stop the removal process prematurely.
Wrap with Foil
- Place the acetone-soaked cotton on your nail and wrap it securely with a square piece of foil. Gently squeeze the foil to lock it in place, ensuring a snug fit.
Wait and Check Progress
- Wait for about 15 minutes. Check the first nail to see if the gel has started to lift. If it’s curling up and flaking away, you’re on the right track. Otherwise, let it soak for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove the Foil and Polish
- Once the gel has lifted, press down lightly on the foil while removing it. Use an orangewood stick to gently push off any remaining gel from your nail. Avoid using a metal pusher, as it can be too harsh on your nails.
Re-Apply Cuticle Oil and Repeat If Necessary
- If there’s still some gel left, reapply cuticle oil and repeat the soaking process until all the gel is gone. Be patient and gentle throughout this step.
Smooth Your Nails
- Using a fine grit file (400/600 grit), lightly smooth the surface of your nails. This helps to remove any remaining residue and buffs your nail to a natural shine.
Hydrate with Cuticle Oil
- After all the gel is removed, re-hydrate your nails by applying cuticle oil generously. This step is essential to restore moisture after using acetone, which can be quite drying.

How to Remove Press-On Nails at Home

To get rid of press-on nails without harming your natural ones, you need some key tools: nail polish remover (preferably acetone-based), a soft nail buffer, cuticle oil, and a small glass or ceramic bowl.

Here’s what you do:

1. Soak Your Nails in Polish Remover
First, fill a small bowl with acetone-based nail polish remover. Press-on nails aren’t as strongly attached as acrylic or gel nails, so you don’t need to use 100 percent acetone. I usually soak my nails for a couple of minutes to see if they have started to lift.

2. Check for Lifted Nails
After soaking, I gently check if the nails have loosened. If any of them still seem firmly attached, I use a soft nail buffer to help nudge them loose. It’s important not to peel the nails off too soon as this can damage the natural nail underneath.

3. Apply Cuticle Oil
Your nails and skin will be quite dry after this process, so I make sure to moisturize with cuticle oil. It’s a crucial step to rehydrate and keep the nails healthy.

Press-on nails, which are typically made from plastic, usually come off much faster than other types like gel polish or acrylic. It’s a relatively simple and gentle process if done right, just make sure not to force or pry the nails off.

Tools You’ll Need

Nail polish remover (acetone-based)
Soft nail buffer
Cuticle oil
Glass or ceramic bowl

Using these steps and tools, you can remove your press-on nails easily at home while keeping your natural nails intact and healthy.

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