Byrdie<\/a>, if over 25% of the underside of the nail has lifted and the shape now looks uneven or bumpy, it’s time for a replacement.<\/p>\nHow to Remove Fake Nails Properly<\/h2>\nUse Acetone-Based Nail Polish Remover<\/h3>\n
The best way to safely remove fake nails is by using pure acetone-based nail polish remover. Acetone breaks down the strong glue adhesive used to attach fake nails. Pour some acetone into a small bowl and soak each nail for 10-15 minutes. The nail should slide right off with no pulling needed!<\/p>\n
For a faster removal, wrap each finger with acetone-soaked cotton balls or aluminum foil. Acetone can dry out the nails, so apply a nourishing cuticle oil after removing fakes.<\/p>\n
Avoid Pulling Off Nails<\/h3>\n
Never forcefully pull off fake nails as this can rip off layers of your natural nail. Not only is this painful, but it damages the nail bed. If the nails won’t budge after soaking in acetone, file the top layer of glue off gently with a nail file. Keep reapplying acetone and slowly work the nails off.<\/p>\n
Patience is key! Pulling nails abruptly can also remove layers of your natural nails, causing them to become thin and brittle.<\/p>\n
Gently File Down Remaining Glue Residue<\/h3>\n
After removing fake nails, you’ll likely have some stubborn glue left behind on the natural nail surface. Take a fine grit nail file and gently buff off the remaining adhesive. Don’t file too vigorously as this can thin the natural nails. Work in one direction to prevent nail damage.<\/p>\n
Use a cuticle pusher to nudge glue out from around the cuticles and nail edges. Go slowly and be very gentle during this process. The nail bed is sensitive!<\/p>\n
Moisturize Nails and Cuticles After Removal<\/h3>\n
Fake nails can leave natural nails dry and brittle. Apply a hydrating nail oil, like jojoba or vitamin E oil, after removal. Gently massage the oil into the nails and cuticles to replenish moisture. This helps strengthen weak, damaged nails after acrylic\/gel use.<\/p>\n
Apply daily for 2 weeks post-removal for best results. An intensive overnight treatment glove delivers deep conditioning. Always wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to prevent water exposure and keep nails protected.<\/p>\n
Caring for Natural Nails After Fake Nails<\/h2>\nTrim and File Nails<\/h3>\n
After removing acrylic or gel nails, it’s important to gently trim and file the natural nails. The nails will likely have some residual damage and thickness from the fake nails. Use a glass file or very gentle emery board to thin down and smooth the nail surface.<\/p>\n
Don’t aggressively file or trim the nails as this can lead to more damage. Take it slow and gently shape and trim the nails to a more natural length and thickness. Moisturize after filing.<\/p>\n
Apply a Strengthening Treatment<\/h3>\n
Look for nail hardeners or strengthening treatments formulated with nourishing ingredients like calcium, vitamins, and proteins. Apply it daily as directed for a few weeks to help repair and restore the natural nails. Avoid products with formaldehyde as this can actually weaken nails over time.<\/p>\n
Some great nourishing ingredients to look for are horsetail, biotin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and bamboo silica.<\/p>\n
Moisturize and Massage Nails Daily<\/h3>\n
It’s essential to keep the nails and surrounding skin well-moisturized. Dehydration can lead to brittle, cracking nails. Massage a rich cuticle oil, balm, or cream into the nails and cuticles at least twice daily.<\/p>\n
Jojoba oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E are excellent moisturizing ingredients for nails. Take time to gently massage each nail bed to stimulate healthy circulation.<\/p>\n
Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Damage<\/h3>\n
While nails are recovering post-acrylics, it’s vital to avoid exposure to damaging chemicals found in nail polish remover, cleaning agents, etc. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to protect the nails from harsh ingredients.<\/p>\n
Avoid using nail polish remover as the acetone can dry out the nails. Also, prevent any direct impact or trauma to the nails, which can lead to cracks and breaks in the weakened state. Be extra gentle with nails and hands during the recovery period.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
With proper application and care, a quality set of fake nails can last 2-3 weeks or more before needing removal and replacement. Avoid picking at nails, be gentle with your hands, and remove nails properly when they do lift or pop off to get the most wear time.<\/p>\n
Give your natural nails a little TLC between sets so they stay healthy for your next faux manicure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fake nails can make your hands look instantly glamorous, but how long can you actually keep a set on before needing to remove and replace them? Getting the most wear out of false nails means understanding how they work and how to care for them properly. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2684,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/how-long-should-you-keep-fake-nails-on-1024x322.webp",1024,322,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/how-long-should-you-keep-fake-nails-on.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=905"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}