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How To Remove Fake Nails With Hot Water [Step By Step Guide]

How To Remove Fake Nails With Hot Water [Step By Step Guide]

Jemma Almond Nails
Written By: Jemma Wilson
Published Date:

Fake nails can easily improve your style and appearance. They are much more visually appealing than compared to regular and natural nails. However, it can be confusing when it comes to removing fake nails. If you, too, would like to know the process of removing artificial nails using hot water, then stick around. Following research, trial and error, I would like to bring to you the process involved and exactly what you will need to do.

So, how do you remove fake nails with hot water? To remove fake nails with hot water, you first need to prepare lukewarm water. You can boil a kettle, pour it into a large bowl and then leave to rest for 5-10 minutes. You then need to dip your hands into the water and sit patiently. After a further 15-20 minutes, you can attempt to pick the nails off. At this stage, they should easily come off.

If they don’t you should submerge them a little long.

Never force off false nails as this can lead to significant pain and long-term damage to your natural nail plates and cuticles.

Removing fake nails with hot water is a simple and cheap process.

You do, however, need to ensure that you have ample time and patience, being sure to let the fake nails soak off without force.

Let us now take a closer look at the process, so you know exactly what you need to do.

Keep reading to the end as I outline some of the main precautions and things you can do to improve the health and state of your natural nails (which will have likely suffered) due to your fake nail use.

Removing Fake Nails With Water – Step By Step Guide

The procedure is relatively simple without only a few steps.

However, you should ensure you give yourself at least 30 minutes, preferably longer, to ensure the process is done effectively and pain-free.

Step 1: Getting The Water Temperature Right

You are going to need lukewarm water to undertake the removal of your false nails.

The first step is to boil an ample quantity of water.

You can do this with a kettle or a stove; either way, you will need to let this water rest and cool down somewhat before you use it.

The temperature of the water should be lukewarm – in between cold and the full boiling bubbly state that you have just warmed the water too.

Step 2: Place The Water In A Bowl

Pour the boiled water into a large bowl; a salad bowl or larger dish works well here. You need a bowl large enough to place both of your hands.

But before you do, you should let the water rest for 5-10 minutes. This will give the water ample time to cool down to a much safer temperature.

Be very careful here; you have to ensure that the water does not burn your skin before moving to the step three. Dip one finger in to test the water before you fully submerge.

Step 3: Dip Your Hands/Finger

When the water is lukewarm, submerge both your hands into the bowl of water.

You need to ensure that all of your fingers and nails are under the water.

If you find the water is too hot, then take your hands out and wait some more time for it to cool down. If it feels okay, then keep both of your hands in the bowl.

While you can technically do this one hand at a time, it tends to make the process longer. I always prefer to do both hands at a time!

Step 4: Wait Patiently

All you need to do at this stage is wait patiently.

You should not remove your fingers from the water intermittently – keep them underneath at all times.

You have two choices here; sit still and enjoy the process (meditating is sometimes a good option here).

Otherwise, you can always watch some TV or listen to music. Just be sure to turn these on ahead of time and before you begin the process!

Its important that you do not remove your hands from the water; keep them submerged for 10-15 minutes. You should start to feel movement in the false nails.

Step 5: Observe The Fake Nails

After some time, you will notice that your fake nails start to expand.

This is a good sign. It means that they are starting to come loose.

Keep your hands under the water until all of your false nails start to show this effect and feel ready to be taken off.

Step 6: Try To Remove The Nails

After 15 minutes or so, and the fake nails start expanding, you can first attempt to remove them.

Start with one hand at a time, and feel one of the false nails. Gently start to try and take it off. You should find that if the soaking process has gone to plan, they will come off quickly.

If they do not, be sure to soak your hands back in the water again. Never force the false nails off!

Step 7: Using A Toothpick For Easy Removal

Another option is to use a toothpick after the nails swell to remove them. If you do so, you have to pry the nails gently. If the nails are well soaked, again they should come off quickly.

Toothpicks are useful as you can get underneath the nail more easily. You do need to be careful, however, as it is easier to try to force them off even when not ready.

Step 8: Complete Both Hands

Once you have removed the first nail, work through the rest of your hand and onto the second when it is ready.

Remove all the fake nails. That’s it; you’re done!

With the help of this step-by-step guide above, it is indeed easy to remove fake nails with only warm water. The key is patience and persistence.

While it is easy, there are a few precautions and things to consider.

Suggestions and Tips

The suggestions below aim to make the entire process as easy as possible for you.

They’re easy to follow and ensure your natural nails are left in the best shape possible going forward.

Reheating The Water For Best Results

You might be wondering, what should you do if the water starts to cool down before the nails come loose?

When this occurs, it is a good idea to remove your fingers from the water and reheat it. Whether you use the same water or a new batch is up to you.

You need to remember that the nails will only swell if exposed to warm water long enough. So, if the water gets too cold, it will take even longer if it works at all.

If nails do not swell in a single attempt or if they are not getting removed even after being exposed to warm water, you have no other option but to reheat the water and soak them in water once again.

You might have to opt for multiple such sessions rather than a single one.

Consider that the larger bowl you use, the quicker the water will cool down. It will have a larger surface area with more exposure to the air.

Removing Nail Glue

After removing the nails, you may find traces of nail glue; how do you go about removing this?

The best way is to use a nail file on the glue after you remove the nails.

The nail file will allow you to remove the residue left over after removing the fake nails. It will enable you to get gleaming nails once again.

You need to remember that if you haven’t used a file before, it is essential to watch a few tutorials or research online about using it.

Only once you know how to use the file safely and effectively, you should go ahead and remove the nail glue.

You have to file gently rather than haphazardly. It will ensure that you can remove the nail glue without damaging your natural nails.

Moreover, it is recommended that you use a Crystal Glass Nail File.

These are great because they last for years and enable you file without jagged edges.

My personal favorite is the Malva Belle (which comes with a free travel carrying case). Its very cheap on Amazon!

After-Care For Your Nails

There are steps to undertake after you remove the fake nails and nail glue. These are:

  • You have to use a clean, soft cloth to dry your nails. Your nails may be weak and so you need to be careful.
  • Once the nails are dry, you should apply a rich, natural cuticle oil to moisturize to your nails. It will allow you to protect and restore them to their strong natural state. Here is the best one currently available on Amazon

These steps will ensure that you can care for your nails appropriately after removing the fake ones.

Healing Your Nails

Once your fake nails are removed, another common question is when can you get them done once again?

If you, too, have the same question, then here are what the experts suggest.

Is is best to wait for at least a couple of weeks before you get fake nails again. You have to ensure that your nails are healthy, and this will give sufficient time for your natural nails to grow back stronger.

Also, only when all the marks and other signs of previous fake nails are removed, can you think about going for fake nails once again.

If you remove a set of fake nails and directly opt for new ones, your natural nails will have no time to heal themselves.

In this situation, the health and strength of your natural nails will undoubtedly deteriorate.

If you do this too often and regularly, you may even find that your nails stunt in growth or you struggle to even apply false nails altogether.

To avoid this problem, it is advised to take a gap of at least two weeks before opting for fake nails again. You can opt for regular nail polish to maintain the look of your hands in the meantime.

Always look to apply good cuticle oil on your nails to ensure they remain strong and healthy. If you have severely damaged nails, my guide here will help you heal them overnight.

So, in case you’ve been struggling to remove your fake nails up until now, the process I present above will surely help you out.

It’s cheap and can be done from the comfort of your own home.

It does, however, take some time. You should be setting aside an hour or two.

It’s always good to do this while watching your favorite TV program or when you are engaged in a series!

So long as you do not force your fake nails off, take regular breaks from false nails, and repair your natural nails with effective products like cuticle oils, this is one of the most efficient methods which you can use to remove fake nails.

Looking for other removal tips? Check out my below guides for more!