Using artificial nails certainly comes with certain advantages — they’re easy to use, cheaper, and not as time-consuming as going to a nail salon. In addition, their designs come in various colors, so there are options available for everyone’s taste.
However, this process isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem and comes with certain problems, so it’s good to prepare in advance. If you’re wondering how to get nail glue off skin, keep reading.
If you’ve ever experienced glue sticking to your skin, you know how difficult it is to get it off. Plus, the longer it stays on your skin the more difficult it is to remove, so it’s important to act quickly.
Fortunately, you can solve this by finding the right technique that won’t damage your skin. Furthermore, the methods we described here are simple and require items found in every household.
How to Get Rid of Nail Glue on Skin
If you’ve relied on a home gel nail kit and missed your nail plate, try using some of the items you probably already have at home.
Nail Polish Remover
One of the most common options is using an acetone-based nail polish remover. As acetone can dissolve the glue, this simple technique is a go-to in these situations.
Once you start to remove nail glue from the skin, you need to remember that acetone is a harsh chemical that can damage certain materials and is highly flammable. For this reason, use it in a well-ventilated room and follow the appropriate removal method.
Together with the nail polish remover, you can use a cotton ball and a toothbrush for safer removal.
First, soak a cotton ball in a nail polish remover. Second, press it against the glued area and drench as much as possible. Once it beings to soften, gently remove any remaining glue with a clean toothbrush and some warm water.
Petroleum Jelly
In case you’re worried about the wellness of your skin, you might wonder how to remove nail glue off the skin without acetone.
To remove spots of glue attached to your skin, you can rely on petroleum jelly. As a mixture of mineral oils and waxes, some of the benefits of using petroleum jelly include sealing your skin with a water-protective barrier.
Not only will it remove glue from your skin, but it also heals minor scrapes. Plus, it’s helpful with nail glue burns. In addition, using petroleum jelly can moisturize your hands, face, and more.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a way to avoid using acetone on your skin, you can start by applying plenty of petroleum jelly to the affected area. Then, rub it in a circular motion into the dry nail glue. Try doing this for a few minutes until you notice that the nail glue begins to peel off.
Throughout the process, the glue will soften, and it’ll become easy to detach it from the skin without pulling. After removing nail glue, wash your hands with soap and water. Moreover, you can apply a light layer of petroleum jelly to protect your skin.
Also, you can use petroleum jelly to remove the glue after already using acetone. It can help the skin retain moisture that acetone previously removed.
How to Get Nail Glue off Your Hands
Having nail glue on your skin, especially your hands, can be irritating and prevent you from using your hands for simple, daily tasks.
Soap and Water
The best way to go about this includes the old soap and water trick. If you act quickly, you can manage to get the glue off without damaging your skin. On the downside, it’s more time-consuming.
First, fill a bowl with warm water and soap. Then, soak the affected area of your hands in the mixture and leave it for 10–40 minutes, depending on the strength of the glue. Make sure to keep an eye out until you see the glue melting.
This method will soften the glue and allow it to peel off. Afterward, apply a thick layer of hand cream to hydrate and protect your skin.
However, we don’t recommend this method if you’re looking for how to remove glue on nails, as it’ll remove your fake nails in the process.
Hand Lotion
Another method on how to get nail glue off the skin without nail polish remover includes hand lotion. Hand lotion is one of the usual go-to’s for a skincare routine for dry skin. Not only does it help with moisturizing your hands, but it’ll also remove the glue without taking off your fake nails.
Apply the hand lotion to the affected area and rub it in a circular motion until the glue flakes away. Afterward, wash your fingers with soap and water to separate any leftover glue. Finally, we recommend you apply hand cream to nourish the skin.
How to Get Nail Glue off Clothes
If you have direct skin contact with artificial nail glue, the case may not be that alarming. On the other hand, when the adhesive comes in contact with fabrics, especially cotton and wool, it causes a chemical reaction and releases intense heat.
Additionally, the high fluidity of the glue promotes its diffusion through the fabric and increases the area of burned skin. Therefore, manufacturers are recommended to make labeling more visible to inform the parents about the importance of keeping nail glue out of the reach of children.
However, having nail glue on clothes is like nail glue on the skin —dangerous. Hence, it’s essential you immediately start applying cold water with soap to limit the size of the burns.
In safe cases, you can also use acetone on your clothes. Simply dip a cotton ball in acetone and dab it onto the glue, making it easier to pull the glue off the fabric. Still, if you can’t find acetone, you can rely on vinegar or even an iron.
Take Precaution
Please remember that chemicals in artificial nail glue and acetone can damage your nails and weaken them over time. Therefore, be careful when using them so as not to worry about potential issues. Using fake nails can serve you on special occasions or emergencies when you don’t have the time to visit a nail salon.
Still, if you are an artificial nails enthusiast, try taking breaks as often as possible to let your natural nails breathe.
In any case, you should resist the urge to pull the glue from your skin. It can rip the skin or cuticle off, creating more problems down the road.
Furthermore, be cautious if the glue is near your eyes or the eyelids. If nail glue adheres to these areas or lips, don’t remove it with an acetone-based product. In these cases, try warm water and contact a professional.
Conclusion
Getting nail glue on your skin or fabric can undoubtedly be an irritating situation that can prevent you from calmly continuing the day with your new nails. So, try to remember some of the above methods, never asking yourself how to get nail glue off skin again.