How to Remove Fake Nails Safely
The correct way to remove fake nails depends on what type you have. Rushing or ripping them off will damage your natural nails, sometimes badly.
If you have press-on nails or glue-on nails
Start by soaking your nails.
Fill a bowl with warm soapy water and soak your fingers for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps loosen the glue. You can add a little cuticle oil or olive oil to speed things up.
After soaking, gently lift the edges using a wooden cuticle stick. Do not force them. If they resist, soak for another 5 to 10 minutes and try again.
Once they loosen, slide them off slowly. Never pry upward aggressively.
If you have acrylic or hard gel nails
These must be soaked in acetone. There is no safe shortcut.
- Lightly file the top layer of the nail to remove the shiny seal. This allows the acetone to penetrate.
- Soak a cotton pad in pure acetone, place it on your nail, then wrap each finger with aluminum foil. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes.
- After soaking, gently push the softened acrylic off with a cuticle stick. It should come off easily. If it does not, rewrap and soak longer.
Never scrape hard or dig into your natural nail.
If you have soft gel or soak-off gel nails
File the top layer to break the seal, then soak in acetone using the same cotton and foil method for 15 to 20 minutes.
Once the gel looks wrinkled or puffy, gently push it off. Do not force it.
What not to do
- Do not rip nails off
- Do not use metal tools aggressively
- Do not pry from the base of the nail
- Do not peel acrylic or gel dry
These cause nail thinning, splitting, and long-term damage.
Aftercare is important
- Wash your hands and apply cuticle oil generously
- Use hand cream and massage your nails
- Avoid new fake nails for at least a few days
- If nails feel weak, use a strengthening treatment
Final advice
If removal feels painful or difficult, stop. Proper removal should feel slow but not painful. When in doubt, soaking longer is always safer than forcing anything off.