How do I remove fake nails?
Bobbie
From experience, one thing you do not want to do is pop them off or purposely crack the fake nails. In doing so, you worsen any damage that may have already taken place if the nails weren't applied properly. I learned to just allow them to grow out and keep them sanded, buffed, and cut low. Eventually, they'll come off on their own. Since the fake nails basically suffocate your natural nails, it will still take a while before they're healthy and strong again. Hope this helps. (05/12/2008)
By Nette
I have had acrylic nails many times and have always popped or pried them off in the past. I do not recommend this, as it leaves your nail looking awful and damaged. This time around, I went to a professional, upscale salon who did a great job. There was no pain and my nails look great. Best fifty dollars I have spent. (05/23/2008)
By jj
I have acrylic nails and I got them put on at Lucky Nails. I found out that hand sanitizer works, it has acetone in it that may remove fake nails. (06/01/2008)
By chic
Just soak them (one at a time) in acetone until they start to turn into a gel. File them off, then repeat this process until all of the nail is off. Then do it over on the next nail.
This works. If you sit with your hand in the acetone for 5-10 minutes, wash your hands with soap, and then back in, you will not get burnt (06/06/2008)
By Maria
Do not try and pry them off yourself, as this rarely works. Either soak your nails in acetone, or get them professionally removed. I tried popping mine off a week ago and they still hurt. Save yourself the trouble and the intense pain ;) (06/16/2008)
By Mon08Key
The foil and nail polish remover heated with a hair dryer works perfectly, I just tried it. Then stick a bit of red nail polish over the top and it looks a beaut! Pain free and effortless. Cheers, Candis and Erin :)
(07/22/2008)
By katiee
Try adding baby oil to acetone to soak! I actually took my acrylic nails off last night by using the soaking in acetone method. I was really dreading doing this because it dries your skin out so badly and sometimes burns. I was told to add baby oil to the acetone and it's a lot less harsh on your skin. It worked great! (07/22/2008)
By Joanna
I just removed my nails, and it was really simple. All you've got to do is soak your hands in warm water for around 15 mins. Take them out, put some more hot water in a big bowl. Take a small bowl and put nail polish remover in it. You would soon see that the nails turn into a gluey sticky substance. After doing all this, just put on some cuticle oil and hand cream. I swear, it's really simple. (08/14/2008)
By nazi
Using nail varnish remover doesn't burn like acetone, but contains acetone. Could take a long time, but you get your long natural nails in one piece and non-flaky. (08/20/2008)
By nicki
I tried a few of the suggestions and here's what I found. The foil wrap doesn't really work if they're real salon acrylics. I imagine they'd work for the department store stick-ons.
The best thing to do is to soak your fingers in water (as hot as you can stand, since it will cool down fast) for 15 minutes. Then put them into a dish filled with acetone nail polish remover (it will be more gentle on your skin than straight acetone and it still works). Remove for the first time after about two minutes and use a cuticle pusher to slide off the polish and top layer of acrylic. After that, soak for about 10 minutes and nails should start to come off. They will start to peel at the base (especially if you've let them grow out a bit) and on the sides. I used tweezers and cuticle clippers to slide up under them and start to peel them off. If it gets too hard don't try to pop them off, it will hurt. Just soak them for a minute or so longer and then go back to it.
When they're all off, I recommend cutting your natural nails as short as possible and then buffing them to remove rough edges. Then keep lotion on your hands, and your cuticles won't dry out. (08/28/2008)
By Emily
I took the advice of ms_reb posted 11/21. It was perfectly painless. Working with one hand at a time, soak your hand in hot water for about 15-20 minutes. Refresh hot water if it cools off. Then take the Kiss Artificial Nail Remover kit and add more acetone. After the hot water soak, soak your hands in the kit. Within 20 minutes all nails were off completely. No pulling, no scraping. I was left with a minimal amount of glue that buffed off, leaving my nails in fabulous shape. I did have the nails put on professionally, my nails were in good shape before, and I only had them on for 3 1/2 weeks. It was for a special occasion. I would have them done at this salon again. The entire experience was great. Thank you ms_reb, whoever you are. :) (08/31/2008)
By lt
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