How to remove extended nails at home: acrylic gel

Since the procedure for removing extended nails is also paid, many people try to carry it out on their own without first familiarizing themselves with the procedure and thereby end up disfiguring their nails. How to remove extended nails at home?

Before you think about how to remove extended nails, you need to know exactly what material they are made of and what technology they are used for. You can begin this procedure only after this, having the equipment required for this at hand. The first step in removing both gel and acrylic nail extensions is to remove the free edge of the nail. For this purpose, you can use nail clippers from a manicure set or a specialized tool – a cutter. This procedure should be carried out carefully, otherwise, when removing the artificial one, you may damage your nail.

Removing acrylic nails

So, how to remove acrylic nails at home? To do this, you need a special product called Acrylic Remover. You can also use nail polish remover, however, it will only work if it contains acetone. As a rule, the manufacturer indicates such information on the label. Of course, the best option is to purchase a product for removing acrylic nail extensions in a specialized store from a similar manufacturer that produces the nail extension material from which your nails are made.

After this, prepare rectangular pieces of simple aluminum foil for each finger, and ten scraps of fabric or cotton pads. If these are cotton pads, cut them into two parts so that they completely cover the surface of the nail. Be sure to protect your eyes before removing your nail extensions yourself, as small pieces of acrylic are very sharp and can easily injure you. Sunglasses are also suitable for protection.

You should not file off the edge of an acrylic nail extension, as applying too much pressure to the file can damage the surface of your own nail. And under no circumstances try to tear the acrylic off the surface of the nail using force. Because before extension, its surface was treated with a special compound that enhances its adhesion to acrylic. Such an attempt is unlikely to be successful, but will lead to premature damage to your nails.

After removing the free edge of the nail, you should completely remove the outer acrylic coating or, as experts call it, the finishing gel. It is applied to add shine to the material. It can be removed using a coarse nail file. This is a rather labor-intensive but necessary procedure, since the file often glides over the surface rather than filing it, and the acrylic does not soften under the finish.
If you have successfully completed this stage, take the prepared cotton pads or scraps of fabric and soak them generously in Acrylic Remover or nail polish remover. Place them on the surface of the nail and wrap them in foil to avoid rapid evaporation of the product.
The acrylic softens under the foil after about forty minutes. After this time, it takes on a jelly-like appearance, and you can easily remove it from the nail plate using a sharp and thin object. However, this must be done as quickly as possible, since acrylic quickly hardens again. If after carrying out the above procedures small pieces of material remain on the nail, you can remove it using a cotton swab soaked in nail polish remover. And to finish it all, you just need to wash your hands with soap and generously lubricate them with cream.

Removing gel nails

Unlike the procedure for removing acrylic nails, this is a rather lengthy process. Before removing gel nails, you should stock up on a high-quality nail file with a fairly high abrasive level, because they can only be removed by filing. Please also take into account the fact that a professional master spends 10 to 15 minutes on each finger on this procedure, and you are working at home without the proper tools.

You can reduce cutting time by using a machine designed for this purpose. Although during the use of this device, the nails heat up, and it will be necessary to take breaks to cool them down. Upon completion of processing the nail surface with a machine, remove the remaining part of the material with a nail file.

After removing the top layer of gel, you begin to remove artificial nails with a file with a lower level of abrasiveness. It is also worth taking into account that during the removal of gel nails a significant amount of dust is generated. It is therefore necessary to have a napkin on hand to wipe the nails that are being treated. Carefully file off the gel, being careful not to damage your own nails. By periodically wiping the nail plate with a cotton swab moistened with nail polish remover, you can easily determine where there are still gel residues and where your nail is already.

There is no need to cut all the material down to the end. As the experts advise, a thin layer of gel does not interfere at all in everyday life, and also significantly strengthens your nails. The final stage of the DIY at-home procedure is to sand the nail surface using a buff or polish. Be sure to lubricate your clean hands with a moisturizing and nourishing cream, because the dust generated when filing extended nails is very drying to the skin.

Gentle care

Even if you are thoroughly familiar with how to properly remove extended nails yourself, and have carried out this procedure very carefully and carefully, your hands still need additional care and attention. For this purpose, salons use various nourishing oils for manicure. Meanwhile, you can successfully replace them directly at home with ordinary natural vegetable oils - olive, sunflower or some other.

It is necessary to heat a small amount of oil over low heat. After moistening the nail plate in it, massage it with light circular movements. And then polish your nails with a special suede polisher, which will add a special shine and prevent them from peeling. As you can see, removing extended nails can be done at home, the main thing is to have the necessary tools and time.