The wonderful thing about press-on nails is that they’re so easy to apply. The better your application, the longer the nails last, and the harder it’ll be to take them off. Once it’s time for a new look, it’s imperative that you take your time and follow all of the proper steps.
In this post, we’ll explain how to remove press-on nails with a gentle, warm water soak or with more aggressive acetone. We’ll help you decide on the right method for you and add a few more tips and hacks to help with the process.
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Why Proper Nail Removal Matters
Taking off your press-on nails incorrectly can be very damaging to your natural nails. Pulling or prodding can tear strips off the nail plate, making them brittle. Trying to tear off a press-on nail without loosening the glue first can even cause separation of the nail from the nail bed. Any damage to the cuticle or eponychium during removal can lead to infection.
To avoid all of these risks, make sure that the adhesive has completely dissolved before trying to take off your press-ons, no matter which removal method you choose. Focus on breaking the seal along the perimeter of your nails without touching the surrounding skin.
Preparation for Press-On Nail Removal
In preparation for removing your press-on nails, get yourself set up and gather everything you’ll need.
It’s an easy process, but it can take a bit of time as you soak your nails. It’s easier to soak both hands at once, which means you’ll be out of commission for around 20 minutes. That means you want to select a comfortable spot to sit in, and you should probably use the bathroom before you start.
Queue up a podcast or your favorite TV show, and confirm that you have all of the removal materials and accessories.
Methods for Safely Removing Press-On Nails
The two main methods for removing press-ons are a warm water soak and an acetone soak. Here’s the step-by-step process for how to take off press-on nails, along with tips to help you choose the right one for you.
Method 1: Warm Water Soak
The warm water soak is a gentle method for removing press-on nails. It’ll keep your skin and cuticles in great shape, and it’ll preserve your press-on nails for reuse. It’s ideal if your press-on nails are already grown out or a little wobbly, but it might not work if the adhesion is still very strong or if you used a lot of nail glue.
For the warm water soak, you will need:
- A small bowl of warm water
- Dish soap
- Skin-safe oil (coconut oil, olive oil, or even vegetable oil will work)
- Towel
- Cuticle stick
- Nail file
Step 1: Fill a small bowl with a few inches of comfortably warm water. Add a few squizzes of dish soap and an equal amount of oil. The water temperature is the most important factor for breaking down the glue, but the surfactants in the dish soap will help. The oil prevents the mix from drying out your skin.
Step 2: Place your fingers in the bowl, making sure that the nails are completely submerged. Now, just wait for around 15 minutes or so.
Step 3: Finally, remove your hands from the bowl - your fingers might be a little pruny! You can wipe the water mixture off with a towel.
Step 4: Using the cuticle stick, gently slide the tip under the press-on nails to dislodge them from your natural nails. Carefully move the stick around the perimeter of the press-on nails, and they should pop off.
Don’t force the cuticle stick or apply too much pressure! Your press-on nails should come off with minimal pressure.
Method 2: Acetone Soak
Acetone, the same ingredient in nail polish remover, is a strong solvent. It'll break down both your adhesive and the press-on nails themselves. The acetone soak is effective even with very persistent press-on nails, so you can try it if the warm water soak doesn’t work.
That said, this method will likely ruin your press-ons, rendering them non-reusable. If you’ve applied your press-on nails recently but changed your mind, or you used a UV-cured or professional-grade acrylic adhesive, it might be the only effective removal option.
For the acetone soak, you will need:
- A small bowl
- Acetone or acetone-based nail polish remover
- A cuticle stick
- Nail file
- Moisturizer or cuticle oil
Step 1: Before you start, we recommend applying moisturizer to your hands since acetone can be quite dehydrating.
Step 2: Use a nail file or clippers to remove any 3D appliques or take off the tips if the press-on nails are particularly long.
Step 3: Fill a bowl with a few inches of acetone and place your fingers inside to soak. Make sure the acetone completely covers your nails.
Step 4: After 5 minutes, use a cuticle stick to check if the nails will lift off. Do this by sliding the stick between the press-on nail and your natural nail. At this point, your press-on nails will likely start to disintegrate a little, and you may notice that parts of the surface lift.
If your press-ons remain in place, soak for a little longer and try again. If you soak them for long enough, the press-ons will disintegrate significantly, and you'll be able to scrape them off the nail with minimal pressure.
Step 5: Once you're done, you can use the glue stick to gently scrape away excess adhesive from your nails.
Quick Tips and DIY Hacks
If you run into issues with any of the main methods, here are a few more important tips and suggestions you can consider for easier nail removal.
- Don’t pull: If the nails don't come off easily, soak them for a little longer and try again. Avoid any tugging or pulling on the nails as it may lead to lifting or separation of the natural nail.
- Don’t over-soak: That said, don’t overdo the soaking time. Your natural nails can absorb water, and soaking them for too long might make them brittle and increase your risk of nail separation.
- Consider the cotton ball method: To avoid acetone fumes, you can soak cotton balls in acetone instead and press them against your nails. Then, use foil to seal the pads in place and prevent the acetone from evaporating.
- Dental floss: If you don’t have a cuticle stick, dental floss is a popular DIY alternative in combination with the warm water soak. Carefully slide the floss between your press-on natural nail, and it’ll help take off your press-on. That said, be very careful with this method, as it can damage or peel off layers from your natural nail if the glue hasn’t been loosened enough.
- Use rice: The rice and baggy method is another popular option for keeping the water or acetone warm. Put a bowl of dry rice in the microwave for a minute or two. Meanwhile, pour warm water or a 50/50 blend of water and acetone into a plastic Ziploc bag. Place your fingers in the baggy, and use the rice as a surface to ensure your nails are submerged, and the mixture remains warm.
Post-Removal Nail Care Routine
Once you’ve removed your press-on nails, rinse your hands with water to remove any acetone or soap residue. Then, use a nail file to carefully buff away any adhesive that remains on your natural nails.
Your hands or nails might feel a little dry afterward, so use a quality hand cream to hydrate the skin. This might be enough but you can also use cuticle oil to further moisturize and protect your nails and cuticles.
How Often Should You Remove and Replace Press-On Nails?
As long as your nails are still in good shape after the removal, you can replace or re-apply your press-on nails right away. If your nails feel brittle or you think you may have over-buffed them, it’s better to wait a few days before applying press-ons again.
Press-Ons That Speak To You
Now that you know how to take your press-on nails off, you might already be thinking about your next DIY manicure. Our press-on nails from Lilac St. are ultra-durable with sophisticated designs that’ll bring out your inner nail artist. Browse our press-on selection to find your next set.
