If you are a nail enthusiast but do not want to break the bank at salons every time you want a new set, then press-on nails are your best bet. Press-ons come to your rescue when you are in a hurry to get a manicure for your last-minute plans or simply don’t want a long grow-out time. These cute babies can elevate your mani from basic to professional without causing an arm and a leg.
But once you become a pro in applying press-on nails, another important question is, how are you going to remove them without compromising the safety of your natural nails? Let’s take a deep dive to learn, step-by-step, how to remove your press-on nails safely at home.
What are Press-On Nails?
In the simplest words, press-on nails are ready-to-wear, predesigned sets of fake nails that replicate the look and feel of acrylic enhancements but are very easy on the pocket and in their application and removal. They are more affordable, time-saving, and safer as compared to salon manicures and that’s why they are seeing more demand among nail lovers to love to DIY their manis at home.
As the name suggests, press-ons are applied by ‘pressing’ the fake tip on the natural nails with the help of nail glue or adhesive tabs. After prepping the nails correctly, you are ready to apply the right amount of nail glue to your nail tips one by one. Immediately, before the glue dries out, apply the press-on tip by placing it correctly at an angle closest to the cuticle but not touching the skin. Place the tip and press it down for a few seconds before you head on to the next fingernail.
These are a few simple steps for you to learn how to apply press-on nails before going ahead to understand the removal process.
What are the Incorrect Ways to Remove Press-On Nails?
Now that you are all set with the application process for your DIY manicure-at-home using press-on nails, another important factor is learning to remove them in the easiest, cleanest, and safest way to remove them.
Damage is the biggest concern when you try to rip off your press-ons incorrectly. You are damaging both the natural nails as well as the press-ons when you try to directly take them off without any precautionary measures. Just as there is a correct way of applying the fake nail tips, don’t use incorrect removal methods to get rid of your press-ons by trying to roughly scratch them off the nail bed. Also, using sharp tools trying to enter beneath the nails and push the press-on off will only hurt you and may lead to breakage and damage. Besides, you may break your natural nails or the press-on tips in this process and won’t be able to reuse the set.
Please don’t punish your fragile natural nails by trying to tug or pull the well-stuck press-on nails – you are going to cause more harm than good. Below is the fool-proof step-by-step approach by The Nails Girl to remove your press-ons at home safely and correctly.
What are the Correct Ways to Remove Press-On Nails?
If you are someone who gets acrylic or gel enhancements regularly, you are surely aware of the long procedure needed to remove them. It takes so much time and money to get them removed from a professional and that becomes tedious again. The good news is that press-ons are easy on and easy off making it comparatively quick and inexpensive to get them removed but in a correct way.
The key to remember is that it is even easier to remove them if you’ve worn them for long because they have grown out away from the cuticle and the glue also gets loosened with time. There are certain tools and tips for removing your press-ons without ripping them off or pulling them harshly.
Tools Needed to Remove Press-On Nails at Home
Just as you need some tools to apply press-ons at home, you also need some to remove them correctly and safely:
- A glass or ceramic bowl for soaking
- 100% pure Acetone or Acetone-based nail polish remover
- Liquid soap
- Cuticle oil
- Orangewood stick
- Nail clippers
- Nail file and buffer
- Tissues or cotton balls
How to Remove Press-On Nails Correctly and Safely?
A good and healthy removal of fake nails begins before their application! The amount of glue you use, the quality of the press-ons and the glue, and the approach you follow in sticking the nails – all these factors contribute to the longevity of your manicure and, also govern the tools and effort required to remove.
However, assuming you did the application part correctly, here are a bunch of steps we suggest to follow for proper and safe removal of your press-ons at home causing the least harm to both the natural and the fake nails:
Step 1: Soaking and Softening
The first step is to soften the adhesive by soaking your nails.
Now if you had applied your press-ons using liquid nail glue, you need to soak them in a bowl of pure acetone for a few minutes. And if you used adhesive tabs to attach your press-ons, you may soak them in a bowl of warm soap-water for a few minutes. In both these ways, the goal is to soften the glue bond and to loosen the grip naturally as much as possible. Also, if you want to reuse your press-on nails, it is advisable to use soap water for removals. Otherwise, go ahead with acetone.
Make sure you don’t dunk in your hands for a long time – this is not a manicure or spa and you’ll dry out your nails and fingers if you do. Specifically in acetone, avoid soaking your hands or fingers and dip only the fingernails to reduce damage as much as possible.
After a few minutes, try moving your tips up and down to loosen the grip but don’t tug with too much pressure. Try to gently wiggle the nail for the acetone or soap to penetrate beneath the tip. Dip them back in the liquid and keep repeating this for about 10-15 minutes. Keep them submerged until you feel them loosening from your natural nails.
To loosen the nails further, apply a few drops of cuticle oil to the cuticles and under the press on the nails. This will help soften the glue further besides moisturizing the surrounding skin as soaking can cause dryness.
Step 2: Loosening and Removal
Once you feel the press-ons have become light and have loosened from the nail bed, grab your orangewood stick to loosen them further and pop them off. Gently try to lift the press-on with the orange stick from the edges of the nails. Try not to force the tips to come off and be gentle when doing this. Cover all the edges of your nails near the surrounding skin and lift it from every side.
If it is still strongly attached in the middle, go back to step 1 and soak it again for a few minutes. Keep repeating this process until the tips become completely loose from your nail bed and pop off naturally with very gentle pressure.
Once the press-on tip is off, use the same orangewood stick to peel off the leftover adhesive from the nail. Again, work slowly and softly, and make sure you don’t scratch your natural nail to avoid damage. Also, be careful at the free edge as soaked nails are prone to cracks and breakage.
Step 3: Buffing and Clearing Up
Once you have removed all the press-ons, you will still find some glue residue on your nails. Take a soft 220/280 grit nail buffer and gently buff the nail surface to get rid of it. Again remember, not be be very harsh with buffing because one, the nails are vulnerable at this point, and two, we are not prepping the nail by removing the shine entirely.
At this point, you may cut the grown-out length of the natural nails using clippers if you don’t want to keep them long. Gently buff the nail, and remove any debris if collected under the press-ons over the days you kept wearing them.
By the end of the process, you should have natural nails in proper length and shape and with no residue on the surface.
After-Care
No matter how carefully and gently you work on the removals, the entire application and removal of the press-ons does strip off some layers of your natural nails and it is important to let them rejuvenate.
Now many people will suggest you allow your nails to “breathe” but in fact, nails are dead cells and they do not breathe. However, it is advisable to keep them bare after removing a set of press-ons rather than going in with another set or new product application immediately. This allows for the natural layers of the nail and the natural oils to nourish the nails from within. Also, the cuticles and the surrounding skin get a break which helps them replenish.
To enhance this rehydration, trim and file the nails and apply cuticle oil to the surface and the skin. A hand cream also works well after soaking the fingers in chemicals and water to moisture the dryness caused. If you have thin brittle nails, you may follow up with a nail strengthner. This is a nail-polish-like product with a clear liquid. It forms a protective barrier on your nail bed and strengthens it to become strong and hard naturally.
Wrapping Up
Mastering the art of removing press-on nails safely at home is key to maintaining healthy, beautiful nails. Armed with the right tools and techniques, you can effortlessly bid adieu to your press-ons without causing any damage to your natural nails. Remember, patience is key—allow the nails to soak and soften before gently removing them. Once you’ve buffed away any residue and pampered your nails with nourishing oils and creams, they’ll be ready to shine again. By following these steps, you can say goodbye to your old press-ons and hello to a fresh, natural look. So, the next time you’re ready for a change, fear not! With these tips, you’ll be a press-on removal pro in no time.
