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Question

How do you get fake nails off without acetone?

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.

Mia Rubie

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Honestly, there are probably a bunch of hacks out there, but I wouldn't recommend them. Soaking your nails in acetone is just the easiest way to take fake nails off. You can try filing it off, but beyond that I wouldn't suggest skipping the acetone.

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Question

Can the nail salon take off my acrylic nails?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, many salons will provide this service free of charge if you are getting a new set. If you just want removal, they will do it for a fee (usually $15-30).

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Question

How do I take off acrylic nails at home?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Soak cotton balls in acetone and wrap them around your nails. Wrap the cotton in foil and wait 20 minutes, then pry off nails with an orangewood stick.

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Question

How do you get acrylic nails off at home with water?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You'll need to soak the nails in warm water until they soften. Then you can pry them off. It will take at least 20 minutes for the nails to soften.

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Question

How long do fake nails stay on for?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

This depends on the type of nails. Whether or not they fall off, fake nails should be removed after 2 weeks.

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Question

Will removing my fake nails damage my nails?

Community Answer

It will certainly leave them dry and weak, as the nail glue dries them out. You could try applying nail hardener afterwards. You could avoid painting them for a couple of weeks until they're back to their normal state.

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Question

Is it bad to wear fake nails?

Community Answer

Not at all, just don't wear them too often. Wearing them often can result in damaged nails.

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Question

How long can I wear them before I have to take them off?

Community Answer

The recommended maximum is about 4 weeks. Your natural nails will keep growing underneath, but extended periods of wearing fake nails can discolor and/or damage them.

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Question

Will natural nails grow with artificial nails on?

Community Answer

Yes, they will. Wearing fake nails for too long or too often can damage your natural nails, however.

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Question

Will anything happen to my skin if I accidentally get glue on it?

Community Answer

It does no harm. Just make sure you wash it off when you can.

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Question

Is it safe to wear fake nails all the time?

Community Answer

No, it's not safe to wear fake nails all the time. The glue can dry and damage your real nails.

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Question

Will this damage a kid's nails?

Community Answer

It will damage any kind of nail, and may damage a kid's nail more as they are very delicate.

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Question

Is there a reason why my fingers are painful when I have the nails on?

Community Answer

Your nail beds may not be adjusted to the nails yet, or they may be pulling on your nails if they are not a good fit, causing pain.

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Question

Can I take off fake nails with non-acetone?

Community Answer

No. It's very hard without acetone since acetone weakens the nail glue which is essentially superglue.

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Question

What if they hurt when I try to take them off?

Community Answer

Well they going to hurt, because the glue is strong still. It shouldn't hurt that much.

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Question

Is there any way to get these nails off without hot water or acetone?

Community Answer

There is no way. I tried the two methods and I recommend using acetone because hot water doesn't work that well.

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Question

How long does it take for a fake nail to fall off without any assistance?

Community Answer

Possibly around 5 weeks. It will eventually fall off as your real nails grow underneath.

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Question

I tried to remove my nails using acetone, but they did not come off. What else can I do?

Community Answer

You should try letting your nails soak in the water for a longer period of time.

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Question

My nail polish remover is 98% acetone. Will it work?

Community Answer

My nail polish remover is the same and it worked perfectly fine. I soaked mine for 20 minutes and filed them down and they peeled right off.

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Question

How do I get a nail off that won't come off in hot water?

Community Answer

Put water and soap in a bowl, then let your fake nail soak in there for a while and it will eventually start to come off.

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Question

Can I use the same nails I took off again?

Community Answer

If you didn't damage the fake nails that you just removed, then yes, you should be able to use them again. Make sure that you clean them before you use them again, however.

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Question

How do I remove fake nails without using acetone?

Community Answer

If you're extremely careful, you can file the nail off if all else fails. Make sure you don't file your natural nail as well. Or, go to a trained nail technician to have them removed safely.

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Question

If I use acetone on my nails, will it damage them?

Community Answer

No, just make sure you keep them in for the recommended amount of time.

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Question

Can I just rip off the fake nail?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

This will damage your nail even more than nail glue already does, and could possible rip off your real nail.

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Question

How do I get the glue off my nail after I take them off?

Community Answer

You can get the excess glue on your nails off by either buffing them or by filing if it is on the tips.

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Question

How can I remove them?

Community Answer

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

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Question

Why do my nails hurt after I rip them off?

Community Answer

It is maybe because you ripped them off too early. if you pulled them off after using the acetone or water method, your nail might have loosened just a bit. Use an orange stick or a metal cuticle pusher instead of pulling them with your bare hands.

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Question

How can I remove the nail glue?

Community Answer

Soak your nails every night for 2-3 days and it should come off easily.

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Question

Will applying a protective coat of nail polish before applying the false nails keep my natural nails from getting damaged?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you do not rip the nails off of your natural nails when removing them.

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Question

How can I take a fake nail off my thumb if I applied it too far up?

Community Answer

Soak your nails in water for 5 minutes, then push back your cuticles after briefly drying your hands. Then remove normally.

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