Sick of my acrylic nails....

[cotomom]

Tired of feeling like I have claws, my inability to type quickly, and the maintenance, time and $ for the upkeep.

What should I do now? Go in and have them trimmed short, and let the acrylic grow out, or soak them in acetone off (though then my fingernails will hurt), or ? It's been eons since I've done this - what's the easiest, most painless way?

 

[tink1978]

how long have you had them? If they are really long, I would trim them down. I have acrylics and hate for them to be long. I have had them for so long though, I can still type fast, etc without a problem. If they bother you horribly and you are just totally sick of them, you can soak them for several minutes and remove them, then smooth your nails and put strengthening polish on them as they will be very thin.

 

[Keggy]

When I have removed my acrylic nails previously - I just soak them in acetone for several hours and peel them off. It is annoying to do, but I just make myself comfy and then soak each hand in a bowl and cover it with a towel (for smell). It doesn't hurt at all.

Also, I ditto the strengthening polish because it will take a month, depending on how quickly your nails grow, for them to grow out.

 

[okeydokey]

Mine were lifting pretty bad, so I was able to get them off myself without too much trouble. I am now using OPI nail envy to keep them strong. I think the salon's charge a small fee to take them off, like $8 or $10.

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I just stopped going for fills, then started to gently soak, peel and clip the stuff off. It took the better part of an afternoon if I remember correctly.

Also, I ditto the strengthening polish because it will take a month, depending on how quickly your nails grow, for them to grow out.

You know, even after mine grew out it took a long time for them to be as healthy and strong as they were before the acrylics. I'd say at least a year` or two. They really damage the nailbed with all that filing. I know I'll never get them again because of it.

 

[yeartolate]

Nail bondage.

When you get them off and the cruddy nails finally grow off you will do a MLK -" free at last free at last....."

 

[Breezie]

One thing I don't advocate is buying one of those 'acrylic take off kits'. I wasn't paying attention while I did it, and I filed right through one of my nails. Oh geez, was it painful! I will never do that again.

 

[DMickey28]

If you want to take them off I vote for the soaking method but it does take a while. Mine also used to lift and I could just clip them off by soaking and clipping.

If they are just too long why not go in get them shorted, I used to barely keep mine beyond my fingertips, get a french manicure and then you are set for about 3 weeks before you need a fill. Then the fill should only be about $15. That's what I used to do. I never had color, just french and I would keep them SUPER short. Like so short they would look at me silly when I would ask them to file them down just a little bit more. I never had a problem with typing or anything. Once they would get too long for me I was uncomfortable writing with a pencil or pen because my thumb nail would touch my finger!!!

 

[CathrynRose]

As other posters mentioned - soak, soak, soak. Dont get impatient....soak.

Get Pure Acetone from Sally's - and a few orange wood sticks (they have them in plastic now - those work better)

Soak for 10...pry up the edges....soak for 10.....pry up the edges.

Dont even bother going and 'having them removed' - they do exactly what a few of us have said, and rush the process.

Good luck. Ive been acrylic free for a good 10 years - and it's the best thing Ive ever done. I love short, perfectly polished nails.

 

[maelstrom]

I guess I'm the only one who just rips them off.

 

[cotomom]

Thanks everyone! Mine are so long now that they're going to have to soak overnight! Oh what a mess we get ourselves into trying to look nice!

 

[englishteacha]

I've had a wonky reaction to acetone (and don't do fake nails anymore-used to do my own). Last time I decided to just let them grow out. I kept them short, and yes, they looked kind of funky at the base, but eventually most of them fell off since they weren't getting filled anymore. You can gently file/buff the base as they grow out so they aren't so noticable (not your real nails, obviously!). Keeping them painted helps, too.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I keep my acrylics very very short, just as other posters have said. I just can't keep nail polish on my own nails, I've tried every brand, and every trick, it peels off in a day or two.

I like knowing that my nails will always look nice and polished.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I loved my nails.

I had an issue with a bad fill (due to travel and not able to go to my regular salon) and went to get them removed. The lady RIPPED off my nails using her own fingernail and a torture tool.

My nailbeds bled and I ended up with a hole in one of my nails.

This was in Feb. and I'm barely still recovering by growing out my nails, which do grow faster than normal.

BUT GET THIS: I'm thinking of having them put on again because I am just that vain.