Fake nails can enhance your look, but they can also be hard to remove without damaging your natural nails. Many people use acetone, a strong solvent that can dissolve the glue that holds the fake nails, but acetone can also cause skin irritation, nail brittleness, and allergic reactions. If you want to remove your fake nails without acetone, you can try using hot water instead. Hot water can help soften the glue and make it easier to peel off the fake nails.
To Remove your Fake Nails follow these Siple Steps
- Prepare your nails for soaking. Use a nail file to gently file down the surface of the fake nails, creating more surface area for the water to penetrate. This will make the removal process faster and less painful. Be careful not to file too much or too hard, as this can damage your natural nails underneath.
- Fill a bowl with hot water. The water should be hot enough to steam, but not boiling. You can add some salt or baking soda to the water to help dissolve the glue. You can also add some essential oils or lemon juice to the water to make it smell nice and provide some antibacterial benefits.
- Soak your nails in the water. Dip your fingertips into the bowl and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes. You can wear rubber gloves or fingerless gloves to help trap the heat and moisture around your nails. The gloves can also protect your skin from the hot water. However, be very careful when removing the gloves after soaking, as your nails will be very soft and prone to tearing.
- Peel off the fake nails. Use a wooden or rubber cuticle pusher to gently lift the edges of the fake nails. Do not use metal tools, as they can scratch or hurt your nails. Do not force or pull the fake nails, as this can rip off your natural nails. If the fake nails are still stuck, soak them in the water for another 10 minutes and try again.
- Clean and exfoliate your nails. Use soap and water to wash your nails and remove any glue or residue. Use a nail brush or a toothbrush to scrub your nails gently. Push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher or an orange stick. This will remove any dead skin and improve blood circulation to your nails.
- Moisturize and nourish your nails. Apply some nail oil, cream, or lotion to your nails and hands. This will hydrate and protect your nails from drying out and cracking. You can also use a nail strengthener polish or gel to help your nails grow stronger and healthier. Avoid water exposure for the first day or two after removal, as too much moisture can weaken your nails further.
- Give your nails a break. Limit the use of fake nails to 2-3 times a month at most. Giving your natural nails some time to breathe and recover will prevent long-term damage and infection. If you notice any signs of infection or injury, such as redness, swelling, pain, or pus, see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
You have successfully removed your fake nails with hot water! This method is safe, effective, and easy to do at home. Your natural nails are now free and beautiful, and you can enjoy them as they are or apply a new coat of polish. Remember to take good care of your nails and avoid using fake nails too often.
How to Remove Fake Nails with Hot Water Detailed Steps
Getting fake nails applied at a salon is a fun way to have beautiful nails for a special occasion or just to treat yourself. However, after some time your natural nails will grow back in and you will need to remove the fake nails. Instead of going back to the salon to have them professionally removed, you can remove fake nails at home using hot water and a few other supplies.
Removing your fake nails at home is a great, easy, and inexpensive process that only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to remove fake nails. With the help of some hot water, acetone or nail polish remover, oil, and tools like cotton balls, aluminum foil, and nail files, you’ll have your natural nails back in no time. Here is a step-by-step guide for removing fake nails with hot water:
Gather the Required Supplies
Bowl for water
A large bowl or container for soaking your nails.
Very warm or hot water
Freshly boiled water from a kettle or water from your tap as hot as you can comfortably stand
Acetone or nail polish remover
Acetone is more effective at breaking down the nail adhesive. Look for a formula that is 70% acetone or higher.
Oil for nails
Use oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil to moisturize your nails after removal.
Cotton balls
Soak the cotton balls in acetone and place them on your nails. The acetone softens the nail glue, making it easier to remove the fake nails.
Aluminum foil
You can wrap your fingers in foil after soaking in acetone to help it stay on your nails. This keeps the acetone concentrated on the nails.
Nail file or emery board
Use the nail file or emery board to gently scrape away softened glue and file down any parts of the fake nail still attached. This helps break the bond of the glue.
Nail clippers
The nail clippers can help cut and remove parts of the fake nail that have lifted up or loosened from soaking.
Cuticle pusher (optional)
A metal cuticle pusher can help lift up the edges of the fake nail after soaking. The pusher gives you more leverage to remove the nail.
Step 2: Soak Your Nails in Hot Water
Fill your bowl or container with very warm to hot water. The water should be hot but still comfortable to soak your nails in for 10-15 minutes and soak your hands in the water. The heat and moisture will help soften and loosen the nail adhesive under the fake nails. As your nails soak, the water may cool so drain and add more hot water as needed to keep the temperature warm.
Step 3: Gently Pry at the Nails
After 10 to 15 minutes of soaking your nails now get back your hands from the hot water and gently use a nail file or cotton ball under the edge of each nail to loosen and pry up as much as possible. Apply a bit of acetone to the underside of each nail with a cotton ball to further break down any remaining adhesive. Buff and file the surface of the real nails under the fake ones to rough them up so the acetone can penetrate better.
Step 4: Foil Your Nails
Tear off pieces of aluminum foil and wrap each foil piece tightly around the end of each finger, covering the entire fake nail. The foil helps trap heat and moisture to soften the remaining adhesive even more and leave the foil on your nails for 10 to 15 minutes. The fake nails will now be very loose and easy to remove.
Step 5: Remove the Fake Nails
After removing the foil pieces, gently work under each fake nail again with a cotton ball and nail file to fully loosen the nail from the natural nail. Soak in the warm water again if needed. Use the nail file, cotton balls, and cuticle pusher to gently pry off each fake nail from base to tip. Work slowly and be very gentle to avoid damaging your natural nails.
Step 6: Moisturize and Clean Up your Nails
Use oil to moisturize your natural nails and the skin around them after removing the fake nails. Use the nail file and clippers to shape and trim your natural nails if needed. Disinfect your tools to avoid infection for your next use. Don’t get fake nails reapplied for at least a few days to give your natural nails time to rest.
Conclusion
Removing fake nails with hot water is a safe and effective method that you can try at home. Hot water can help soften the glue that holds the fake nails to your natural nails, making it easier to peel them off. By following the tips in this article, you can remove your fake nails with hot water without damaging your natural nails or skin. You can also enjoy the benefits of oil, salt, baking soda, essential oils, or lemon juice that you can add to the water to make it more pleasant and beneficial.
After removing your fake nails with hot water, make sure to moisturize and nourish your nails and hands, and give your nails a break from fake nails. This will help your nails recover and stay healthy and beautiful. Hope it helps you to take off fake nails with hot water at home naturally without any difficulty. Please comment down if you re unable to understand something or was our content helpful or not. Visit for how to remove gel x nails, and how to remove fake nails without acetone.
FAQs
How long should I soak my nails in hot water?
Aim for 10 to 15 minutes of soaking to sufficiently soften the nail adhesive. Check on your nails regularly as you soak and drain/replace the water if it cools.
Will soaking remove acrylic/gel nails?
Soaking your nails in hot water will help loosen the bond of acrylic or gel nails by softening the adhesive, but typically will not fully remove them on its own. You will still need to gently pry off each nail with tools after soaking. The soaking process just makes removal easier and less damaging.
What if my nails are still hard to remove after soaking?
Place small pieces of cotton balls soaked in pure acetone directly under the edges of the hard to remove nails before foiling. The concentrated acetone will help weaken the strongest bonds. You may need to re-soak your nails in hot water a few times to fully remove tough acrylic or gel nails. Be very gentle to avoid damage.
Can I reapply fake nails right after removing them?
It is not recommended to reapply fake nails immediately after removing a set. Give your natural nails a break of 3 to 7 days before getting a new set. This gives your nails time to recover from the removal process and prevents long term weakening or damage.
How do you remove fake nails at home?
Removing your fake nails at home is a great, easy, and inexpensive process that only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to remove fake nails. With the help of some hot water, acetone or nail polish remover, oil, and tools like cotton balls, aluminum foil, and nail files, you’ll have your natural nails back in no time. Here is a step-by-step guide for removing fake nails with hot water:
how to remove fake nails with hot water at home?
With some hot water and gentle prying, you can remove your fake nails at home affordably and without damaging your natural nails. Be patient and take your time for the most pain-free removal process. Your nails will appreciate being free again! Remove and reapply fake nails in moderation and give your natural nails lots of TLC in between to keep them healthy and strong.
