A Lazy Girl’s Guide To Take Off Fake Nails At Home

Do you know that feeling when the holiday season is over and now it’s time to get the decorations down, pack all the good China back in the closet, and bid farewell to the festive-season nails? Well, I, for one, hate when my well-themed nails become obsolete and it’s time for a change. Lately, however, I have found an easy way to skip a trip to the salon just to get my fake nails off and do it myself. It involves a few everyday things found around the house and some time off my schedule. So, join me in this journey where I un-gatekeep the secret to how do I take off fake nails at home.

Tools You Need To Take Off Your Fake Nails

If you’re wondering how to take off fake nails at home, begin by gathering the following tools.

1. Acetone or liquid soap to loosen or melt your fake nails.
2. A medium-sized metal bowl to submerge your hands.
3. Toothpicks to pick press-on nails
4. Nail buffer or filer to smoothen the edges of the nails
5. Nail clippers and a cuticle clipper to clean up the edges of your nails.
6. Cotton pads to rub off any residue left
7. Hand cream or moisturiser to hydrate your fingers
8. Cuticle oil for replenishing your nail beds.

Step-By-Step Process Of Removing Fake Nails At Home

This is how to remove acrylic, false, press-on, or gel nails at home.

Step 1: File

Filing fake nails makes them thinner and easier to remove from your nail bed. Use a nail filer to buff the edges, the tip, and the base near the cuticles, especially if you have rhinestones, embellishments, or accessories glued to the nails. If your nails are buffed well, the acetone or liquid soap can penetrate the nails better for quick removal.

Step 2: Soak

If you have enough time on your hands (pun unintended) then the safe option is to use liquid soap. Add 2–3 tablespoons of liquid soap to a metallic bowl with water. Dip your buffed nails into the bowl and wait for 15 minutes. If you are in a time crunch and want to get rid of the nails faster, then fill the bowl with acetone instead which will melt the nails in 5 minutes. However, this method can be harsh, making your skin dry.

Step 3: Remove

If you have gel polish on, the paint should start peeling off by itself. To completely remove gel nail paint, take some cotton pads, dip them in acetone, and gently rub the paint off your nails. If you are wearing acrylic nails, you can do the same or use a toothpick to pick on some stubborn chips. When it comes to press-on nails, take the toothpick and gently tug at the bottom of the nails. Use a cuticle clipper and clip the pieces that leave your nail bed. If you want to preserve your press-on nails then soak it in the solution a little more to remove it without damage.

Step 4: Buff

Now that your fake nails are off, it is time to cater to your original nails. Remove any leftover adhesive or residue with a nail filer or buffer. This will even out nails and will allow them to breathe. Gently buff your nails once all the paint and fake nails are off to smoothen the texture.

Step 5: Hydrate

Your nail bed and fingers will experience dryness because of the acetone and liquid soap. So start your rehydrating process with cuticle oil around your nails. This will nourish, repair, and moisturise your weak, thin, and damaged nails. Follow this with a hand cream that will rehydrate your hands and fingers.

How To Take Care Of Your Nails After The Fakes Are Gone

Once your fake nails are removed it is time to give your actual nails some tender loving care. With some extra attention, you can restore your nail health and help them regain their strength allowing them to be ready for the next set of nails.

1. Moisturise

   When you moisturise your nail bed, cuticles, and the skin around the nails, your nails will be less likely to break. Applying and removing fake nails can dehydrate them and incorporating ingredients such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, shea butter, and glycerin can help nourish them. Also, replenish your cuticle health with some nourishing cuticle oil. Follow this hand care routine with hand cream or moisturiser for your fingertips and hands.

2. File & Buff

   Buff your nails regularly but gently with a nail filer or buffer to improve blood circulation and smooth texture. Your natural nails may feel rough when you apply and remove fake nails, so filing them gently will even out the texture and help remove any residue from before.

3. Treat

   You can also use a nail strengthener or nail hardener to improve the quality of the nails and reduce any splitting, breaking, or chipping of the nails. They also come with UV filters and whitening agents to reduce external damage and yellowing of the nails. They also help reconstruct a stronger, sturdier, and hardened nail bed.

4. Trim & Shape

   Always keep your nails trimmed and shaped. Unkempt nails are more prone to damage and breakage. Longer nails require delicate care and shorter nails are less likely to chip. Always shape your nails around the edges to avoid irritation and overgrowth that also leads to further damage.

5. Rest & Reset

   It is important to give your nails a break from time to time, the keratin in our nails is made of dead skin cells and they don’t restore the way our skin does, it needs a breather for new nails to grow before we slather on another coat of fresh nail paint or press-on.

Parting thoughts

Your search for the question, “How can you take off fake nails at home?” ends here, because no matter what your choice of fake nails is, whether they are press-on, gel, or even acrylic, there is a simple way to remove them. All you need is a few tools that are easily available around the house, some me-time to properly do all the steps and finally a good show to watch while you take care of your nails.

Now that you have your nails back to square one, it is time to choose a new style. People often think press-ons, gel, or acrylic nails will damage your nails when you go to remove them, especially at home. But it is the opposite, any damage that your nail incurs, happens when you apply these false nails, and no additional damage occurs when you are about to remove them. The only thing you need to worry about when you are taking off your fake nails is what are you getting next.

FAQs

1. What are the safest methods for removing fake nails at home?

   The safest way of how do I take off fake nails at home is through acetone or liquid soap. Start by first filing your nails, then soak them in acetone or liquid soap, follow it up by gently removing them with a cotton pad or toothpick, and then apply some hand cream and cuticle oil for rehydration.

2. Can I remove fake nails without acetone?

   Yes, you can remove fake nails without acetone, all you need to do is buff and file your nails and soak them in liquid soap to soften your nails.

3. How long should I soak my nails in acetone to remove fake nails?

   You can soak your nails for 10–15 minutes in acetone to remove fake nails. You can also use a cotton pad soaked in acetone and wrap it in a foil sheet to avoid excess drying caused due to acetone.

4. How can I care for my natural nails after removing fake nails?

   Once you learn how to remove acrylic false nails at home you can take care of your natural nails by hydrating and moisturising your nail bed, cuticles, and fingers with cuticle oil and hand cream.