For all the fashion lovers, acrylic nails charm things up in the event of a party or wedding ceremony. Women just love to put on the matching nails with their different colorful dresses. Fashionistas use acrylic nails for styling as well as for giving a lengthening look to the original nails.
However, taking off these fake nails is sometimes challenging. When you visit a salon, the stylists use glue to stick these artificial nails to your nail bed. Although they work quite well for long, you may feel irritated once your original nails start growing. Your first option is to visit the same salon, which put them on initially. If you are not in a mood or budget to visit the salon, you can simply try taking them off at home. It may require extra care and effort, but it is no rocket science. Here are a few methods, which you can use to remove the acrylic nails:
METHOD 1
The first method uses Acetone to remove the artificial nails. Acetone is the scientific name of the commonly known Nail Polish Remover.
Things you will need:
- Acetone (nail polish remover)
- Nail clipper
- Large and small Glass bowls
- Nail buffer
- Warm water
- Aluminium foil
- Petroleum Jelly
- Cotton balls
- Moisturizer
- Orangewood stick
- Mild soap
- Towel
STEPS
- Cover the table surface with an old towel or rag.
- Take warm water in a large bowl and place another small bowl in it.
- Pour acetone in the small glass bowl. Make sure it is enough for your nails to dip completely.
- Clip the artificial nails as small as you can without hurting your natural nails or nail bed. This way you can proceed quickly as fewer acrylic nails are easier to deal with.
- Use a nail file to remove any nail paint from the surface of the acrylic nails so that no color is left on your nails once the artificial ones come off.
- No matter how dilute, Acetone is a chemical. It can dissolve plastic and it is also hard for skin. In order to protect your skin from damage, use petroleum jelly like Vaseline. Apply it in a layer on the cuticles.
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- Take a cotton ball and dip it in acetone.
- Fasten the acetone-soaked cotton balls around your nails using aluminum foil strips.
- Repeat step 7 and 8 for all the nails and dip them in the acetone bowl for 15-20 minutes.
- Check the progress using a small orange-wood stick. If the nails are still hard, dip them in for another 20 minutes.
- The acrylic is soft after the acetone bath and comes off easily. Use a nail buffer to buff away the remains.
- Once you are sure there is no more acrylic on the nails, wash your hands gently with a mild soap.
- Dab the towel lightly to dry your hands without hurting the nails.
- Apply a moisturizer, lotion or oil around the nail bed to soothe the skin.
TIPS:
- Do not bring flame or heat near Acetone as it is highly inflammable.
- Do not use a plastic bowl for Acetone bath
- Use filing method only if your natural nails are longer than the acrylic ones.
- In the case of an infection or irritation, consult a dermatologist or physician immediately.
METHOD 2
This method makes use of the dental floss to rid you of the artificial nails. You need to have a partner, who can help you pull down the dental floss under the nails.
Things you will need:
- Dental Floss
- Nail Clippers
- Fine-grade buffer
- Moisturizer
STEPS
- Pry up the entire bottom edge of an artificial nail gently using a cuticle stick. Do this with all the nails.
- Now make your partner slide down the dental floss under the nails and hold the other two ends of it in either hand.
- Ask your partner to move the floss back and forth in a sawing action. Continue this until the acrylic nail comes off. Repeat the process with all the nails.
- Use a fine-grade buffer to clean up your natural nails, which may be slightly torn by the process.
- Apply moisturizer around cuticles.
- Your nails are now acrylic free.
TIPS:
- Be careful while using the cuticle stick as not to pry the nail bed too hard.
- Tell your partner not to yank the floss upward too quickly; otherwise, your natural nails will come off with the fake ones.
- Be gentle while using a buffer as your natural nails are tender after the nail-removing process.
METHOD 3
This method uses neither dental floss nor acetone solution. It is the easiest one yet takes a lot of time and causes damage to natural nails if not carefully done.
Things you will need:
- Nail clipper
- Nail file
- Fine-grade buffer
- Coarse buffer
- Cuticle stick
- Cuticle scissor
- Moisturizer
STEPS
- Use a nail clipper to trim the plastic nails short.
- If the thickness is making it hard for you to cut the nails, use a coarse file to file them down.
- Rub the coarse side of the buffing tool to remove the layers of acrylic on the nails. Do this for all the nails slowly and carefully.
- Once the thick coating of acrylic is no longer there, use a cuticle stick to pry up the edge of the remaining acrylic nail.
- Place the tip of a cuticle scissor under the edge and clip it away lightly. Repeat the process until no acrylic remains on any nail.
- Clean the natural nails with a fine-grade buffer
- Apply cuticle cream to soothe your natural nails.
TIPS:
- When your nails look almost acrylic-free, you can stop as removing any more layers can cause a long-term damage to natural nails.
- Be patient and take off a little of the acrylic at a time using cuticle scissors. Otherwise, you may end up ripping off layers of your natural nail.
