How to Remove SNS Nails at Home
To the surprise of no one in the beauty industry, SNS nails are getting increasingly popular. These powder dip nails, made from a mixture of powder and super glue, don't need UV light exposure to dry. They're also odorless, which renders them a great alternative to acrylics and their chemical smell.
More importantly, they last for up to 4 weeks with care. So, they're great for anyone who doesn't have the time to get their nails done every 2 weeks. Like other types of fake nails, you'll probably want to get SNS nails removed professionally.
However, sometimes, things happen. And you don't want to go to the nail salon for something that you can do at home for free. Nonetheless, it's crucial to remove them in the right and safe way. So, don't go peeling them off like they aren't super-glued to your natural nails.
If you want to remove SNS nails without paying a dime or damaging your nails, continue reading.
Items You'll Need:
- Gritty nail file
- Nail buffer
- Cuticle oil or lotion
- 100% acetone
- Aluminum foil
- Towel or paper towels
- Cotton rounds
- Heavy-duty nail clippers
6 Steps to Removing SNS Nails
Although it's always recommended to get SNS nails and other types of fake nails removed by professionals, it isn't rocket science. And anyone can do it with enough research and preparation. Accordingly, if you have to remove your nails at home, which many of us have to do nowadays, here's how:
1. File the Nails
The first thing you'll need to do is to place a towel, paper towels, or anything else to contain the dusty mess that you're about to make underneath your hands.
Then, grab the grittiest nail file you have, and start filing the nails. Your goal is to remove as much of the nails as possible, mainly the shiny top layer. Filing is a necessary step because it makes the dip powder formula dissolve easily later on. So, work on every nail, and be careful not to hit your natural nail.
2. Cut the Length Down
Many women prefer their SNS nails to be long and catwoman-like. However, cutting them down will help dissolve the rest much easier and faster. So, get a heavy-duty nail clipper, and cut off the extra length.
3. Soak Cotton Rounds in Acetone
We recommend ventilating the room before you begin this step because, as you probably know, acetone doesn't smell so pleasant.
Now, grab a bottle of 100% pure acetone, as acetone-free nail polish removers aren't strong enough to remove SNS manicure. Then, soak the cotton rounds in the acetone to the point where they're completely wet.
4. Wrap Your Nails in Aluminum Foil
Place the acetone-soaked cotton rounds on each nail. Then, wrap your nails as tightly as possible in aluminum foil. Now, let the nails soak from 15 to 20 minutes, giving the hardened dip powder a chance to dissolve.
After 20 minutes, check one nail to see if the SNS manicure is gooey enough to be removed gently. If not, give it 10 to 15 minutes to dissolve completely.
5. Rub the Rest off
At this point, the dip powder should be a mushy and malleable formula that you can remove without harming your natural nails. So, rub the rest of the nails off with cotton rounds until your natural nails are entirely bare and clean.
6. Wash Your Hands
While it sounds like a no-brainer, many people underestimate the damage that dip powder residue causes if it were to stay on the nails for too long. Thus, it's essential to wash your hands with soap and water to ensure they're clean.
Aftercare Routine
Whether you remove your SNS nails professionally or at home, your natural nails might be brittle, damaged, and dry. So, it's crucial to take care of them and help bring them back to life with these methods.
File and Buff the Nails
Filing and buffing your natural nails helps them look healthy and uniform. So, use your file to soften any sharp edges and smooth away the ridges on your nail beds. Then, buff the nail bed to restore them to their former smoothness and shine.
Apply Cuticle Oil or Lotion
Since fake nails dry your natural ones, you must moisturize them if you want to nourish, hydrate, and repair them. Accordingly, use cuticle oil or a lotion with nail-nutritional ingredients, such as B-complex vitamins and urea, and massage your nails with it.
Let Your Nails Breathe
Fake nails and manicures are beautiful, fun, and exciting. That being said, it's vital to protect your natural nails and let them rest away from all these chemicals. So, stretch out the period between removing your dip powder nails and applying new ones. This way, your nails can regain their strength and beauty.
Final Thoughts
Removing your SNS nails at home isn't unheard of. In fact, it's encouraged if you know what to do. And hopefully, by now, you do.
So, gather your manicure tools, mainly a nail file, pure acetone, cotton rounds, and aluminum foil. Next, follow our step-by-step guide to dissolve the powder-and-glue nails while protecting the real ones.
In the first steps, you remove as much of the nails as possible before using acetone to make that process easier. Then, you wrap your nails with acetone-soaked cotton rounds and aluminum foil for around 20 minutes to turn the hard formula into a gooey substance. Finally, rub off the mushy remainder of the SNS nails and wash your hands.
Finally, don't forget to take care of your natural nails. Keep them filed, buffed, and trimmed. Also, moisturize them, and let them be polish-free for a while.
