If your beauty regimen includes gel or acrylic nails, figuring out how to take them off or maintain them on your own can be challenging.
Here’s a guide to removing them yourself and keeping your nails healthy when a salon visit isn’t possible.
How to Remove Your Fake Nails
There’s a reason people rely on technicians to remove gel or acrylic nails rather than doing it themselves. Pulling them off can cause significant harm to your natural nails, so be sure you’re ready to remove them correctly.
For gel or acrylic, Allure suggests setting aside at least 30 minutes to do it properly. If your nails are acrylic, trim away any excess so the acrylics match the length of your natural nails.
You’ll want a nail file to take the shine off the top layer of polish. Choose a coarser file; a finer one will lengthen this step. Scuffing the surface lets the acetone penetrate the acrylic or gel more easily, which speeds up removal, according to Cosmopolitan.
After the polish has lost its gloss, rub thick hand cream around your nails to shield your skin from acetone. The aim is to coat the surrounding skin so the strong solvent won’t overly dry it out. (Cuticle oil works too.)
Now for the chemicals. Soak cotton balls in 100% acetone. Place a soaked cotton ball on each nail and wrap with aluminum foil. You can also use plastic nail clips made to hold the cotton in place — they’re easy to find on Amazon and other retailers.
Leave the acetone-saturated cotton on your nails for 10–15 minutes so it can loosen the polish. When the polish appears to be lifting, it’s time to check. If it hasn’t loosened enough, allow a few more minutes.
If it’s loose, you should be able to wipe it away with gentle pressure from the cotton ball. Use a wooden or plastic cuticle stick to ease off remaining bits of polish, working slowly and gently to avoid harming the nail bed.
Once the acrylic or gel polish is removed, soak your nails in coconut or olive oil to rehydrate them. A rich hand cream can also help replenish moisture and soothe your fingers after acetone exposure.
Caring for Your Newly Bare Nails
After DIY removal, be diligent about nail care. At minimum, apply cuticle oil and hand cream regularly. If you want extra protection, wear rubber gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to avoid further chemical contact.
Keep nails short to reduce the chance of catching or tearing. Use a glass file — rather than a standard emery board — to file with the grain. Glass files are gentle enough for the most fragile or brittle nails.
Biotin supplements are touted for strengthening nails, so you might consider taking them daily to support nail health. Biotin is available at most supermarkets and drugstores. (I stock up on mine in bulk at Costco to save.)
Alternatives to Fake Nails
You might prefer alternatives to acrylics or gels to maintain a tidy manicure.
The simplest option is painting your own nails. Always start with a base coat to smooth the surface for an even polish application. A base coat also helps prevent staining. After the color, finish with a top coat to reduce chipping and extend the wear of your manicure.
Another option is nail polish strips like Color Street or Jamberry. They take a bit of practice to apply, but after a few tries you’ll get the hang of it.
Polish strips often last longer than regular polish, but the adhesive can be hard on your nails. When removing them, soak cotton balls in nail polish remover and leave them secured with nail clips or foil for 5–10 minutes to minimize damage.
Cat Hiles is a contributor to Savinly.
