How to Take Off Fake Nails
Acrylic nails can look fantastic when they're newly applied, but as they begin to age, they don't look so great. You'll want to get them off, and fast. Unfortunately, removing acrylic nails isn't as simple as removing nail polish. If you do it incorrectly, you can seriously damage your own nails. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Clip the acrylic nails as far down as possible. Be sure to avoid cutting your own nail.
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Pour acetone nail polish remover into the bowl. You should pour enough such that your fingernails will be entirely covered when you put your fingertips into the bowl.
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3
Coat your cuticles with the petroleum jelly. The thick coating will help protect your cuticles from the harshness and drying effects of the acetone in the nail polish remover.
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Soak your fingernails in the bowl of nail polish remover. During this time, the gel binding the acrylic nail to your own nail will become soft. After the gel becomes gooey (after about 15 to 20 minutes), remove your fingers from the solution.
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5
Scrape the acrylic from your nails as gently as possible, using a wooden cuticle stick. The nail should come off fairly easily, though it may take more time to scrape all the gel off. If the nail does not come off easily, you may need to soak it in the acetone solution for a little longer and then repeat the scraping process.
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Buff your fingernails to remove any last traces of the gel. Then wash your hands and moisturize them to counteract the drying effects of the acetone.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that you buy nail polish remover with acetone. The non-acetone types will not be strong enough to weaken the gel binding the acrylic nail to yours.
When soaking your fingernails in acetone, try to keep only your nails in the bowl, not your whole finger. If you notice your skin becoming irritated and/or red, remove your nails from the bowl immediately. You may be having an allergic reaction to the acetone. Never try to remove an acrylic nail by force, as it may damage your own nail.
