Isla Bennett
Nails can be removed for medical or cosmetic reasons. Medical nail avulsion is a procedure that involves the partial or complete removal of a nail, typically a toenail, through chemical destruction of the nail plate. This procedure is used to treat conditions such as onychocryptosis and onychomycosis. Surgical nail removal is another option, but it carries a risk of permanent nail dystrophy. In some cases, a doctor may recommend other treatments or partial removal of the nail. Toenails, in particular, should be examined and removed by a doctor to prevent infection and other complications. Cosmetic nail removal typically involves the removal of acrylic or gel nails, which can be done safely at home with the right tools and techniques.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of nail removal | Medical nail avulsion, surgical nail removal, chemical nail avulsion |
| Medical nail avulsion | Removal of the nail plate by chemical destruction using 40% urea paste |
| Surgical nail removal | Insertion of a tool under the nail to lift and remove the nail plate |
| Chemical nail avulsion | Used for fungal nail infections, may require topical and/or oral antifungal treatment |
| Pain | Medical nail avulsion is painless, surgical nail removal is painful |
| Time taken | Medical nail avulsion takes 3-6 weeks, surgical nail removal takes 15-20 minutes |
| Regrowth time | Fingernail regrowth takes 9 months, toenail regrowth takes 6-18 months |
| Risks | Secondary bacterial infection, allergic contact dermatitis, thickened, misshapen, or ingrown nail regrowth |
| At-home removal | Possible for hard gel nails using acetone-based nail polish remover, foil wraps, and a cuticle pusher |
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What You'll Learn
Medical nail avulsion
The procedure may also be used for diagnostic purposes, such as exploring the nail bed, nail matrix, and nail folds before performing a biopsy.
An alternative to chemical nail avulsion is surgical nail avulsion, which can be performed using a distal approach. This method may be necessary for conditions such as chronic paronychia, where an en bloc excision of the PNF combined with total or partial nail plate avulsion is a useful treatment option. Surgical nail avulsion is also applicable in the case of retronychia, where persistent nail fold inflammation results in the reverse embedding of the nail plate into the PNF.
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Ingrown toenails
There are several home remedies that can be used to treat ingrown toenails. These include soaking the feet in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day, placing cotton or dental floss under the ingrown edge of the toenail to help it grow above the skin, and applying petroleum jelly to the affected area. It is also recommended to wear comfortable and open-toed shoes, and to cut the toenails straight across instead of at an angle or down the edges to prevent the skin from folding over the nail.
If home remedies are ineffective, a healthcare provider may recommend lifting the nail and placing cotton, dental floss, or a splint under it to separate it from the skin. They may also prescribe a corticosteroid cream. In more severe cases, such as when there is inflamed skin, pain, and pus, a partial or complete nail removal procedure may be necessary. This involves numbing the toe and trimming or removing the ingrown portion of the nail. In some cases, the underlying tissue (nail bed) may also be removed to prevent the nail from growing back. After the procedure, patients can take pain relievers and apply wet compresses to reduce swelling.
Ingrown toenail surgery is typically performed under local anaesthesia and can take about 10 minutes. Different techniques may be used, including nail avulsion (removing the whole toenail), wedge excision (removing the ingrown part of the nail and underlying tissue), and nail-bed ablation (removing part or all of the nail and applying a chemical to prevent regrowth). Following the surgery, patients should keep their dressing dry and their leg raised for a few days to reduce swelling. They should also wear soft or open-toed shoes and refrain from strenuous exercise for at least two weeks.
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Toenail removal at home
Toenail removal is a delicate procedure that should be carried out by a doctor to prevent infection and other complications. However, ingrown toenails are a common issue that can sometimes be treated at home.
If you have an ingrown toenail, the first step is to wash your hands and soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat this process 3 to 4 times a day until the toe improves.
Once the nail is soft, gently push the skin back from the nail border. Be careful not to force the skin back further than it will go, as this can be painful. Cut the toenail straight across, starting at the edges and moving towards the middle.
After cutting the nail, place a piece of cotton or dental floss between the nail and the skin to prevent the nail from growing back into the skin. Apply a medicated ointment to the affected area and bandage the toe.
It is important to keep the area clean and free of bacteria and germs. Change the cotton or dental floss twice a day and apply petroleum jelly to the tender area.
Choose sensible footwear, such as open-toed shoes or sandals, until your toe feels better. You can also take non-prescription pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help ease any toe pain.
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Acrylic nail removal
Acrylic nails can be removed at home, although manicurists do not recommend it as any error can damage your nail beds. The safest way to remove acrylic nails is to have them professionally removed at a salon. However, if you are unable to get to a salon, there are several methods you can try at home.
Firstly, it is important to cut down the length of your acrylic nails using nail clippers. This will make the process of removing the acrylic easier and safer. You should leave about two centimetres of nail above the nail bed for safety reasons.
Next, you should file and buff the tops of your nails to remove any nail polish that was applied on top of the acrylics. This step is important because if you don't do this, the acetone won't penetrate the acrylic layer.
Now you are ready to soak your nails in acetone. You can either soak your nails in a bowl of acetone or use a cotton ball soaked in acetone, placed on the nail and wrapped in foil. If you use the cotton ball and foil method, you will need to leave the solution for about 20 minutes. If you are soaking your nails in a bowl, you will need to leave them for 30 to 40 minutes.
After soaking, the acrylic should be soft enough to flake off without too much effort. If it is not soft enough, you can leave your nails to soak for an additional five to ten minutes.
Finally, follow up with a good hand cream or nail oil as acetone can be very drying to the skin and nails.
Alternatively, if you do not want to use acetone, you can gently pry and lift the edges of your acrylics using tweezers or a cuticle stick. Then, pour some acetone-free nail polish remover into a bowl and fully submerge your fingertips. Let your nails soak for 30 to 40 minutes or until the acrylics begin to noticeably loosen.
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Removal of hard gel nails
Hard gel nails cannot be removed by simply soaking them in acetone. Acetone does not have any effect on hard gel. The only way to remove hard gel nails is by filing them down.
To remove hard gel nails, file down as much of the gel as possible without damaging your natural nails. Then, soak cotton pads in acetone and place them on your nails, wrapping your fingers with aluminium foil or plastic food wrap to retain heat and create a tighter seal. Leave the wrap on for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove it and check if the gel is starting to change texture and soften. Use an orange wood stick or cuticle pusher to remove the softened gel.
After removing the gel, your fingers may be dehydrated, so it is important to moisturize and use cuticle oil if possible. Additionally, gently rub petroleum jelly into your cuticles and the skin around your nails for seven days to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
It is important to note that picking, filing, or scraping off gel nail polish can damage your nails and cause white spots. Therefore, it is recommended to let your nails grow out and clip them once a week to remove the gel nail polish gradually. This process takes about six months for fingernails and 12 to 18 months for toenails.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not recommended to remove your nails at home, especially if they are damaged. Removing a damaged nail yourself could lead to serious complications. A doctor can perform the procedure much more safely and quickly than you can at home. However, hard gel nails can be safely removed at home using an acetone-based nail polish remover, foil wraps, and a bit of patience.
In a healthy young adult, it takes around 9 months for a fingernail to regrow and 18 months for a toenail. Nails grow more slowly in older individuals or people with poor circulation.
Yes, there is an infection risk to keeping acrylic nails on for too long. Lifting is how you get moisture trapped in the nails and develop an infection. However, if you continuously go back to the same nail technician, and any lifting is filled off, then you can continually just trim and fill.
