HOW TO REMOVE A BROKEN ACRYLIC NAIL (7 EASY STEPS)

The acrylic nails are as beautiful as they are fragile.

Acrylic nail wearers know how difficult it is to maintain them and make sure they do not break.

Sometimes, you can do everything right and your nails will still break.

Once an acrylic nail has broken, you have to remove it completely.

HOW TO REMOVE A BROKEN ACRYLIC NAIL

Before you attempt anything with your nails, you will need to gather your supplies.

When you start the procedure, you should have everything with you so you won’t need to run around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Rather than removing a brain, today we are removing a nail.

To remove your nails, you’ll need a nail file, a nail clipper, a glass bowl, some acetone, petroleum jelly, hand sanitizer, soap, and water.

Acetone will be used to remove nail polish.

If you have the right kind of disinfectant for cleaning your nails, you can replace soap and water.

When you have everything on this list, you are ready to go.

STEP 1: REMOVING THE BROKEN PIECES

Wherever the break is in the acrylic nail, that’s where you want to start.

Take your nail clipper and nail file out and make sure they are clean and disinfected.

Clean your beauty tools regularly to prevent bacteria from building up on them and spreading to you.

Once you have cleaned your tools, you can begin breaking up and removing the pieces of your nail with your nail clipper.

It may be necessary to use a nail file to thin out your nail if it is too thick for your clipper to cut through.

If your acrylic nail is lifted, you may be able to only need to file your nails.

File your nail until the acrylic comes off.

Cutting too low and into your nail bed is one thing you should avoid when using your nail clipper.

If you cut too deep, it will sting and bleed.

Your nail clipper should not be used to tear off acrylic nails.

A lot of damage can be done to your natural nails if you do this.

STEP 2: BREAK OUT THE ACETONE

For this step, you’re going to want to grab that glass bowl and acetone that you got earlier.

Fill your glass bowl with acetone deep enough for your finger to soak.

You should consider using petroleum jelly if your body doesn’t react well to harsh chemicals, such as acetone.

Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the skin surrounding the nail to act as a barrier against the acetone to help soothe any skin irritation.

You will then soak your fingernail in acetone for several minutes at a time once your finger has been prepped.

The thicker your nail, the longer you will have to soak it.

As you soak your nail, the acetone eats away at the nail glue, allowing for a smoother removal.

Acetone is highly flammable, so keep it away from flames.

As well as working near an open window, make sure your workspace is well ventilated.

During this step, you may want to wear a mask over your mouth and nose if you are prone to headaches or migraines due to the strong odor of acetone.

STEP 3: FILE DOWN THE BROKEN NAIL

Acetone will loosen any parts of the nail that have clung to it, but it will not always completely remove it.

You’ll need to use your nail file once more to smooth the nail back to its original shape.

If you are planning to reapply an acrylic nail, this step is still necessary since it is crucial that your nails are cleaned properly between acrylic nail applications.

Bacteria are capable of creeping into even the smallest of crevices.

File the nail until it is as smooth as possible, but be careful not to damage the nail.

Constantly wearing acrylic nails or even nail polish is already hard on your nails.

The last thing you want is to further damage your nail by filing or buffing it too much.

You should give the nail a break from most nail treatments, such as acrylic, gel, or even dip powder nails, if you end up damaging the nail.

There are nail hardening glosses you can use on your nails to help them heal, such as Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails Clear Hardener.

Smooth out the edge of your nail and reshape it if necessary.

By moving from the base of the nail to the tip of the nail, you will less likely damage your nail.

You will need to leave the nail long enough to support another acrylic nail if you plan to reapply an acrylic nail afterwards.

STEP 4: CLEAN THE NAIL

Between all the chemicals you’ve used on your hands and the filing you’ve done, your nail is going to need a good washing.

If you don’t have a professional nail disinfecting solution, you can use soap and water.

To avoid infection or fungal growth, you will need to clean the nail properly.

Those who do not clean their nails properly may be at risk of developing bacteria or fungal growth on, around, or under their nails.

University of Michigan researchers report that bacterial infections and fungal growth are common when acrylic nails are applied without thoroughly washing hands and nails.

If your acrylic nail catches your natural nail bed, it can cause bacterial infections.

The infection then spreads between the two nails and through the finger.

A fungus infection can occur when moisture builds between your acrylic nail and your natural nail.

A moist, dark area between the two nails is an ideal breeding ground for fungi.

You can prevent both fungal and bacterial infections in your nails by cleaning your nails properly.

Keep your nails healthy by not wearing acrylic nails for more than three months at a time and by not reapplying acrylic to irritated or damaged nails.

Giving your nails a break from acrylics helps prevent infection as well.

STEP 5: TO REAPPLY OR NOT TO REAPPLY

After your nail has been cleaned and treated, you should decide what to do with your entire hand.

You may look a little strange with four acrylic nails and one natural nail, so you will either be reapplying the nail or removing the rest of the acrylic nails.

If your nails are damaged, it is highly recommended that you remove the acrylic nails and go natural for as long as you are comfortable doing so.

Your nails will be healthier if they aren’t stressed by acrylic nails or even nail polishes.

Additionally, you can take supplements and use nail hardeners to accelerate the process.

If your natural nail is healthy, you can reapply acrylic nails without any issues.

No one wants to throw out all their acrylic nails because one broke.

With a thorough cleaning, your nail is ready to support another acrylic nail with a greatly reduced risk of infection.

STEP 6: MOISTURIZE THE SKIN

You have used quite a few chemicals on your skin during this process.

Hands need to be moisturized.

Acetone, disinfectants, and even petroleum jelly are known to leave the skin as dry as the desert.

Skin that is dry can be extremely uncomfortable and cause skin to crack and bleed.

If you have applied nail polish or an acrylic nail replacement, you will want to wait until everything has dried before moisturizing.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR NAIL BLEEDS

During this process, if your nail begins to bleed, you should stop what you’re doing and focus on healing the nail properly.

Damage to your nail bed can affect how your nails grow in the future, and can even damage your nail matrix, which is where your nails grow from.

There are ways to help the nail regain its natural form.

First, you will need to stop any bleeding.

If you wear jewelry, take it off to avoid making a bloody mess.

Rinse the infected area thoroughly, but avoid touching it directly as it can be painful.

Continue washing until the bleeding stops.

After that, dry the finger gently with a towel to prevent moisture build-up.

Additionally, you should apply an antibiotic cream to speed up the healing process.

If the bleeding continues, apply a Band-Aid.

If it doesn’t, there is a way to temporarily fix the nail.

Wash your hands and the wound thoroughly, and then find yourself a tea bag or coffee filter.

You can apply nail glue over your broken nail by spreading a small amount across.

Cut a small piece of fabric from the teabag.

This will be used to cover the broken nail.

Use tweezers to tuck the fabric under the broken nail after you lay the fabric flat on your nail.

Cover the tea bag fabric with another thin layer of nail glue.

After the nail glue has dried, you can buff or file the nail until it has a natural shape.

Afterwards, apply a protective coat of nail hardener or another protective polish of your choice.

PREVENTING BREAKS

It is always better to take preventative measures rather than wait for a problem to occur.

By being proactive about nail damage, you will save yourself time, money, and the embarrassment that comes with missing an acrylic nail.

It is important to plan ahead to get the perfect nails.

While long acrylic nails may look fierce and alluring, they may not last if you need your hands and fingers for work.

The longer the nail, the greater the chance of it breaking.

Those who do heavy work with their hands, such as hand washing dishes or lifting heavy objects, might want to consider acrylic nails that are shorter and a more natural length.

Your acrylic nails will become stiffer and more brittle as they age.

You can keep your nails moisturized and flexible by applying nail oil a couple of times per day.

If you use nail oil every time, you will only need a few drops per nail.

Each of us has to do chores, such as washing dishes, at least once a day, and acrylic nails cannot be used as an excuse to avoid them.

Whenever you have to do your dishes, wear a protective, waterproof glove to protect your acrylic nails, make them last longer, and reduce the chance of moisture building between your acrylic and natural nails.

THE GUITARIST’S MANICURE

Acrylic nails seem like a nightmare for guitarists, but you may be surprised to learn that some guitarists prefer acrylic nails over picks.

When you break them down, guitar picks and acrylic nails are made of plastic.

Too long nails can be a hindrance, but the perfect length nail will have you throwing away all your guitar picks.

As society has become more accepting of people of any gender taking care of their nails, this is not a new trend.

Guitarists and bass guitarists have been getting what’s called the Guitarist’s Manicure.

Many multi-instrumentalists, including Alexander Turnquist, recommend that anyone who fingerpicks grow their nails out and add short acrylics for extra nail strength when plucking or strumming.

Guitarists claim that by plucking and strumming with their nails, they can be more agile and accurate with their picking.

If you are getting a Guitarist’s Manicure, you will only want your nail to extend two to three millimeters.

For the active fingers of a guitarist, three coats of polish seem to be the best.

Consider how thick you like your guitar picks and apply it to the thickness of your nails.

In general, the closer your fingernails are shaped to a guitar pick, the more similar it will feel to play with your nails instead of a guitar pick.

NO NEED TO CRY OVER A BROKEN NAIL

Despite the fact that it can be painful and a bit embarrassing to break one of your acrylic nails, you don’t have to let it ruin your day.

Even if you are doing it at home, taking care of your nails allows you to focus on what your needs are and to pamper yourself a little.

Make sure your nail and nail care tools are clean before attempting to fix your broken acrylic nail.

Acrylic nails are beautiful, but healthy nails are even more beautiful and will last much longer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you take off a broken acrylic nail?

1. Cut the acrylic nails as short as possible.
2. Tweeze the edges with the pointy end of the tweezer.
3. Pour the acetone free nail polish remover into a bowl.
4. Let the nails soak in the nail polish remover for at least 30-40 minutes.
5. After you feel the nail loosening, gently pull it out with tweezers.

What do you do if you break your acrylic nail in half?

Get a small bottle of acetone at a beauty supply store. Put the acetone in a small metal or glass bowl. You should soak the nail in acetone until the acrylic is easy to remove. It may take 5 minutes or it may take 25 minutes.

What do you do when your acrylic nail breaks and bleeds?

1. You should take off all rings, bracelets, and other jewelry from your hands and arms.
2. Clean the injury with warm water.
3. Pat it gently dry with a clean towel.
4. Apply some antibiotic ointment to the injured area if desired.
5. Secure the bandage or gauze around the nail with medical tape.

How do you remove acrylic nails with hot water?

To remove acrylic nails with a soak, first fill a bowl with warm water. Soak your hand in the water for 20 minutes. The nails will become loose after about 20 minutes, and you can then remove them. Polish the nails again to make them shiny.