How to Remove Silicone Nails

Silicone artificial nails can make your hands look beautiful when your natural nails don't cut it -- but they don’t last forever. Eventually, your natural nail will grow underneath the fake nail, and if you don’t fill in the nail with more silicone, you’ll be left with an uneven surface. When you’re finished with the falsies, don’t try yanking them off or biting on them in the hopes of a speedy removal. Be patient and use the right method to remove silicone nails properly, so you don’t cause major damage to your real nails.

Cut the fake nails with clippers so that they’re the same length as your real nails underneath. The shorter the fake nails, the less silicone you have to worry about removing.

Fill a bowl with warm water. Soak your nails for about five minutes to help loosen the silicone. If your skin is really dry, add a few drops of olive oil to the water while soaking to help replenish moisture.

Discard the water from the bowl and fill it with non-acetone nail polish remover. Fill the bowl with enough solution to completely cover your nails. Begin with non-acetone nail polish remover rather than acetone, which can be harsh on your natural nails.

Put one hand in the bowl so the nails are completely covered with the nail polish remover. Soak your nails for five minutes. Use a cotton rag to scrub your nails while they’re soaking to help loosen the artificial nail.

Take your nails out of the nail polish remover. Use an orangewood stick to gently scrap off the silicone. Repeat this process of soaking for five minutes then scraping with the orangewood stick until the silicone is completely removed.

Soak your nails in pure acetone if stubborn artificial nails don't budge. Let them soak for 20 minutes, then gently scrape with the orangewood stick to remove the remaining layer of silicone.

Repeat the removal process -- starting with the warm water, moving on to the non-acetone nail polish remover and finally pure acetone -- until the silicone nails are removed from both hands. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water afterward.

Put enough olive oil into a bowl to cover your natural nails. Heat it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds until it’s warm. Soak your natural nails in the olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes to replenish moisture lost from the silicone nails and the removal process.

Wash your hands again with warm, soapy water to remove the olive oil. Dry your hands thoroughly, then apply a thick layer of moisturizer.