How to Remove Fake Nails Safely

There are so many ways to remove acrylic nails safely. The two major methods include the removal of these nails with acetone and without the use of acetone.

We will be considering these two broad methods in detail.

Using Acetone to Remove Acrylic Nails

Acetone is the fastest acrylic nail remover. It works by dissolving them and makes it easy for the acrylic nails to be removed.

We will look into the different methods of removing acrylic nails using acetone.

Here are the different methods:

1. Using Acetone and Aluminum

This method focuses on removing acrylic nails with acetone and aluminum foil. The tools needed to carry these include:

• Acetone
• Aluminum foils
• Petroleum jelly
• Nail clippers
• Cotton balls or pads

Procedure

To start, clip the acrylic nails to the shortest length you can. After you have done that, the next thing you want to do is a file.

File off the topcoat, the nail polish, and any color left. This will keep your hands from getting messed up with the colors.

The next thing you want to do is to apply petroleum jelly on the skin that surrounds the cuticle. After this, get the cotton pads soaked in acetone and place it on your nails.

So that it can be kept fixed on a spot, you need to use the aluminum foil. Tear out a portion of the aluminum foil and wrap it over the cotton ball or pad. Allow it to remain that way for about twenty-five to thirty minutes.

Gently pull off the aluminum foil. The acrylic nail should also come up with it. However, if you feel some resistance from the acrylic nail while pulling, allow the aluminum to remain wrapped a little longer.

2. Using Acetone with Warm Water

This method also makes use of the acetone, but this time with warm water. The tools needed for this are listed below.

• Acetone
• Warm water
• Petroleum Jelly
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Orange sticks
• Two bowls

Procedure

The first thing is to clip the acrylic nails to the shortest length possible. Then use the orange stick to pry your cuticles. Get the two bowls. Pour warm water in one and fill up the other with acetone. Then to gently warm up the acetone, keep the bowl containing acetone inside the one containing the warm water.

The next thing to do is to apply the petroleum jelly adequately on the skin that surrounds your cuticle. The rationale behind this is, to protect your skin from the harsh effect of the acetone.

After this, get the bowl containing acetone, and immerse your nails completely into the acetone. Let them remain in it for about thirty to forty minutes.

After this, the acrylic nails can be removed safely.

Removing Acrylic Nails Without Acetone

There are other ways to remove acrylic nails without using acetone. Let’s look into some of these methods.

1. Removing Acrylic Nails by Using Acetone Free Nail Polish

This method focuses on removing acrylic nails without using acetone at all. It takes a little more time to remove the acrylic nails without using acetone. This method keeps your skin from the harsh effect of acetone.

The tools needed in this method are listed below.

• Acetone-free nail polish remover
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Bowl

Procedure

The first step to take is to clip the acrylic nails to the shortest length possible. After you have done this, pry the edges with the tweezers, using its pointy end.

The next thing is to pour the acetone-free nail polish remover inside a bowl, and then soak the nails in it. The nails should be in this acetone-free nail polish remover for a minimum of thirty to forty minutes.

When you feel the nail loosened, try pulling it out gently with the tweezers. If you feel resistance while pulling it, allow it to soak a little longer.

Note: From time to time you may need to keep adding more acetone-free nail polish remover because the normal one tends to evaporate after a while.

2. Removing Acrylic Nails by Using Dental Floss

This method does not require many tools. However, if you choose to use this method, you will need the assistance of another person to help you out.

The tools needed for this are as follows:

• Dental floss
• An extra person
• Orange sticks

Procedure

You start by prying your cuticles with the orange sticks. This is done to make a little inlet. The next step requires help from another person. The person is to insert the floss through the inlet. After she does this, let her begin to move it in a sawing motion. This should be continued until the acrylic nail pops off.

Note: This particular method can come along with pains and discomfort.

3. Removing Acrylic Nails Using Nail Filers

Your acrylic nails can also be removed by using the nail filers. The nail filers can remove them completely. The only challenge faced here is, it is a little time-consuming.

The consolation, however, is, your skin does not come in contact with any chemical. The tools needed for acrylic nails removal here are as follows:

• Nail filer
• Nail clipper
• Cuticle oil
• Cuticle scissors
• Orange sticks

Procedure

Start by taking off all the color and design from them, and then clip them to the shortest length you can.

Start the filing. File them using long strokes. Continue this filing until you begin to feel you are closer to your natural nail bed.

At this point, be more careful, so you don’t file off your actual nail bed. After you have done these if you see observe that a little of it is left, get cuticle scissors, use it to raise the edges and clip it off with the nail clipper. Clip small pieces at a time, don’t attempt to cut all at once.

By the time all of it is gone, use the orange stick to scrape off all the acrylic glue.
This whole process can be a little harsh on your nails, apply some cuticle oil after you are through with it.

4. Removing Acrylic Nails with Laminated Business Card

This method is applicable when acrylic nails are to be removed quickly. That is, it is a quicker way to remove them. The tools involved are as follows:

• Laminated Card
• Orange sticks

Procedure

Start by using the orange stick to open the edges of the acrylic nails and make a little inlet.

After this, get the laminated card and insert it into the little inlet. Apply a little pressure to it while you move it in an upward motion. Do it carefully to avoid injuries.

If you don’t have a laminated card, a debit or credit card can be used instead.

5. Removing Acrylic Nails With Hot Water

This method is the safest of all methods. It is the easiest and mildest way to get rid of acrylic nails. The tools needed are as follows:

• Warm water
• Bowl
• Nail clipper
• Nail filer
• Orange sticks

Procedure

The first thing to do is to trim the acrylic nails to the shortest length you can. Then open its edges with the stick.
Get warm water in a bowl and immerse your nails fully into the water for about thirty to forty minutes. This is aimed at dissolving the glue.

Keep your hand in the water in such a way that the warm water can seep through the inlet you created with the stick. After this, if the nails are still not out yet, you should add some more warm water. Then, keep your hands in it a little longer.

Since your hands are to remain in the water for about thirty to forty minutes, this suggests the hotness will reduce. From time to time, pour in more warm water to keep the water warm enough.

Precautions to Take While Removing Acrylic Nails

While removing the acrylic nails, never try to force it out. If you do, you may rip out your nail bed as well. This will be so painful and will cause you to bleed.

If you opt for any of the methods that require the used acetone to remove acrylic nails, you need to stay away from the fire. Acetone is highly flammable.

It is important also to note that acetone is a strong chemical compound, and as such can cause mild dehydration. It can also make the skin to get wrinkled temporarily.

The use of cuticle oil is suggested after the removal of the acrylic nails. The oil will help restore your natural nail bed. Likewise, a gentle moisturizer should be applied after its removal.

Scrape off the glue and the leftovers of the acrylic nails remaining on your nail bed after removing the nail.
The table or surface on which you carry out this procedure should be well covered, to keep it from acetone stain.

You need to exercise a lot of patience when carrying out this procedure. The reason is that the process takes longer. Advisably, you should adopt a comfortable position.

Fixing Damaged Nail Bed after an Injury

Do you have a damaged nail bed? Covering up the damage with polish, acrylics, and gel will only weaken your nail bed.
The following are a few tips to help you fix damaged nail beds:

Cut it short

You might have gotten your nails damaged during the acrylic nails removal process. One of the consequences you could face thinned out nail beds. Consequently, your natural nail will likely begin to break.

You may want to keep long nails, but it is advised to keep them short for a minimum of one month. This allows them to grow and return to their healthy state.

Don’t leave the bed unattended to

During the process of removing the acrylic nails through filing, you may incidentally file down your nail bed. The damage could get worse later. Applying nail polish on your natural nail will help minimize the damage.

Moisturize them

If you recently removed acrylic nails from your fingers by using any of the acetone removal methods, you need to care for your nails. You might be experiencing dryness and brittleness on your fingers.

Advisably, you should get moisturizers like cuticle oil or hand cream. These will help in restoring your fingernails to health.

For the cuticle oil, you can apply it once a day and this should be in small quantity. Apply it to your nail beds and cuticles with a cotton ball. However, for the hand cream, apply before going to sleep. This should be applied adequately.

Treat Keratin

The use of acetone to remove acrylic nails could bring about side effects such as dehydration. Keratin treatment helps to regain lost moisture. The keratin treatment can be taken daily. They are beneficial in making the nails grow stronger, smoother and faster.

Nutrition

Foods that help the growth of your natural nails can as well be considered among the therapy to your nail beds. These foods can help the nails to grow longer, healthier and faster.

Foods like trout, flaxseed oil, salmon and walnuts will be of help here, as they contain omega-3 fatty acids. These omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for nail growth.

Another nutritional ingredient that helps the growth of nails is biotin. They are very helpful for nail growth. Examples of foods that contain this nutritional ingredient in rich quantity are peanuts, almonds, avocados, sweet potatoes and eggs.

Use Gloves

Exposing already damaged nails to hot water and chemicals contained in soap, which is usually things we relate with daily, could be a bad idea. As the nails are damaged already, exposing them to things like that will only worsen the damaged state of these nails.

They tend to make the nails softer and easily broken. So, to stay clear of these things, you should put on gloves. Aside from using gloves, you can also opt for household cleaners that are gentler than the ones you have. This will help bring chemical damages to the minimum.

There are varieties of ways to remove the acrylic nails. The method used is very important, as you don’t want your natural fingernails to get damaged.