To get press-on nails off, there are two main safe and effective methods:
- Warm Water Soak Method (Gentler, preserves nails for reuse):
- Fill a bowl with warm water, add dish soap and some skin-safe oil (like coconut or olive oil).
- Soak your nails for about 10-15 minutes.
- Gently use a cuticle stick to slide under the edges of the press-on nails to loosen and remove them without much force.
- Repeat soaking if needed until nails pop off easily.
- Acetone Soak Method (Stronger, breaks down glue but can ruin the press-ons):
- Use acetone or acetone-based nail polish remover in a bowl.
- Soak your nails for 5-10 minutes.
- Check with a cuticle stick to see if nails start lifting; soak longer if needed.
- Once loosened, gently scrape off the nails and glue residue.
- Moisturize afterward, as acetone can dry out skin and nails.
Additional tips:
- Clip or file down long press-ons before soaking to speed up removal.
- Use cuticle oil around nails and under press-ons during soaking to help break down glue.
- Avoid forcibly pulling nails off to prevent damage.
These methods are common, effective, and recommended for safe removal of press-on nails at home without damaging natural nails.
