How To Use Dental Floss To Remove Acrylic Nails? If that’s the case, dental floss may help. Acrylic nails are a popular option for folks who want to improve the appearance of their natural nails. But what if you change your mind and want your natural nails back?
It can be difficult to remove artificial nails if you have never done it before. Here we will discuss the usage of dental floss in the removal of acrylic nails.
Instructions Step 1: Gather your materials. First, you will need your dental floss and the acrylic nails. Do not attempt this method without having the acrylic nails on hand (if you try to remove them before, your fingers will be very sore). Read on to learn more about how to take off acrylic nails without acetone and how to remove gel nail polish.
How To Use Dental Floss To Remove Acrylic Nails
- Unlike 99.9 percent of the world, I love flossing. So much so that I usually keep a stash of DenTek flosser picks in my desk drawer at all times. (After a two-and-a-half year stint of Invisalign, I’m diligent about the appearance of my smile, thank you very much.) But never in my life did I think my beloved flossers could be used for more than digging out post-salad snafus. Or can they?
The full tutorial on Instagram is compromised of three steps to rid pores of dirt and remove excess sebum. First, Mann soaks a towel in hot water and places it over her T-zone for five minutes to ready her pores for the coming extraction. She then takes two flossing sticks and carefully scrapes them down and around her nose, picking up sweat, dirt, and whatever else is clogging her pores. As a final step, Mann soaks a cotton ball in mouth wash (Listerine, to be exact) and uses it as a makeshift toner, swabbing the freshly extracted area.
Thanks to Reddit, we were recently introduced to beauty vlogger Sukhi Mann and her go-to trick for extracting blackheads on the fly using—you guessed it—flosser picks, and we’ve got to be honest here, it’s frightening.
Worried that Mann was doing more harm than good using this DIY blackhead hack, I reached out to Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of SkinxFive, Ava Shamban, for the scoop on whether or not this trick is considered safe for replicating. As it turns out, the hack isn’t as bad as it looks, says Shamban. Surprised? Me, too.
“Since she’s using it to essentially scrape her skin, it looks like it would be okay [to replicate] as long as you’re not using the [flosser stick] in a sawing motion, cutting into the skin,” Shamban says. “The only drawback would be that the floss is clean, but not sterile.” Shamban also warns that when using the floss, if you have an inflamed pimple and it pops, there’s a possibility bacteria from the area could spread to the rest of your face, which could ultimately lead to infection.
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So while using a flossing stick to slick off excess sebum is kinda dermatologist-approved, it’s the use of mouthwash as toner that has us and Shamban concerned. We’re certainly not condoning the use of mouthwash as a toner (because there are lots of toners already on the market that work just fine and are approved to be used on your face), but if your heart is set on Listerine, Shamban recommends checking the ingredients label before swabbing it on your skin. “If it has methyl salicylate as an ingredient, which is an anti-inflammatory, and ethanol, which is in rubbing alcohol, together they’d make the area clean,” she says. “However, if it has menthol, it could cause contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction.”
Suffice it to say, while there’s no immediate harm surrounding the DIY blackhead hack going viral, keep in mind that it should in no way, shape, or form be as a substitute for a consultation with a trained medical professional. Sorry to burst your pore-popping bubble.
How To Remove Gel Nail Polish
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin. This will help protect your skin from the acetone.
- Cut the cotton balls or strip to the size of each nail. Using cotton that is about the same size as each nail reduces your risk of getting acetone on your skin. When acetone sits on your skin, it can irritate and damage your skin.
As a general rule: The nails on your pinkie fingers (5th finger) or little toes need about ¼ of a cotton ball. You can cover each of the other nails with ½ of a cotton ball. - Soak each piece of cut cotton in acetone.
- Place each piece of soaked cotton on top of the nail that it was cut to fit, and wrap the nail with plastic food wrap. You want a tight seal. Avoid wrapping your nails so tightly that you cut off your circulation.
Use plastic wrap instead of foilDr. Lipner recommends using plastic food wrap rather than foil when removing gel nail polish at home. When wrapped around your nails, plastic creates a tighter seal than foil, so the acetone is less likely to drip. - Leave the plastic wrap on for 10 minutes. When you remove the plastic wrap, most or all of the gel nail polish should be gone.
- Remove any remaining gel nail polish with a washcloth that you’ve just run under warm water. Use the wet washcloth to gently rub off any remaining polish. Take care to rub only the nail and avoid rubbing the surrounding skin.
- Wash your hands or feet with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone. If you have a fragrance-free soap, use it. Any mild soap will help you avoid irritating your skin.
- Gently rub petroleum jelly into your cuticles and the skin around your nails every day for seven days. This will help to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
Growing your nails offers a safe alternative
Dr. Lipner says the best way to remove gel nail polish is to let your nails grow out. Clipping them once a week will remove the gel nail polish and help prevent the nails from catching on clothing and other objects. If you choose this option, you need to resist the urge to pick at your gel nail polish. Picking and scraping off the polish can damage your nails
Pores get a bad rap, but these microscopic openings in your skin are actually vital for producing oils that moisturize and maintain a healthy complexion. When pores get clogged and form blackheads, however, all you want to do is get rid of them. Preventing blackheads entails much more than lathering up a cleanser and splashing some warm water on your face. Ahead, celebrity esthetician Kate Somerville, founder of Kate Somerville Skincare and Skin Health Experts Clinic, breaks down how to remove blackheads properly—and keep them away for good.
First, how do blackheads form?
Before you attempt to break out the magnifying mirror and remove every blackhead in sight, it’s important you understand where they come from. Somerville explains, “Blackheads form when extra sebum accumulates in the pore, and mixes with debris or dead skin cells, which then oxidizes and hardens.”
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What happens if you don’t remove blackheads?
Blackheads are a type of acne, and if left untreated, they can stretch out the skin around the pore. Somerville adds, “Blackheads can also be stubborn after extractions. Since the pore may not close up right away, it could lead to sebum filling the pore again and leading to another blackhead forming.”
How do you remove blackheads?
The best way to remove blackheads is to prep the skin with light exfoliation in the shower. Somerville recommends her own ExfoliKate, which removes the top layer of dead skin. It contains resurfacing ingredients like papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes, as well as lactic acid. “Additionally, steam from the shower helps warm the skin, which softens and opens up pores for easier extraction,” Somerville adds.
“After you shower and dry your skin, wrap your fingers with tissue paper and gently squeeze the blackhead out of the pore,” Somerville instructs. “If you’re heavy-handed, you can squeeze the blackhead out with Qtips.” Be sure to then treat the area with a witch-hazel soaked cotton pad to soothe the skin, she says.
Are extraction tools safe to use at home?
“I also don’t recommend extraction devices, as they can be too abrasive and take off the top layer of skin,” Somerville says of using tools instead of just your fingers. Step away from those pore strips, too. “The best way to fully extract the blackheads using your fingers. Pore strips and peel-off masks can often only take off the top layer of the blackheads and not fully remove it,” she explains.
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She also adds that the worst way to remove blackheads is pinching at it without any preparation. As she mentioned before, properly cleansing, exfoliating and steaming will open up the pores, making extraction more gentle.
How do you prevent blackheads from forming?
There’s no big secret—just consistency. “The best way to prevent blackheads is a good, consistent routine of cleansing and exfoliation,” says Somerville, who suggests a cleanser with sulfur for treating acne and drawing out impurities. She also notes that family genes can play a significant role in acne in general, including blackheads. “My mom struggled with blackheads, and I have struggled with blackheads growing up as well,” she admits. You can’t fight genetics, but with these tips, you’ll at least have a leg up.
How To Take Off Acrylic Nails Without Acetone
Soap and water are another great way to remove acrylics without harsh chemicals or solvents. Simply fill a bowl or sink with hot, soapy water and soak your nails for about 10 minutes. Soaking will help soften the adhesive and make it quicker to remove the false nails.
One of the most basic pieces of advice I give out as an esthetician is that dealing with a blackhead when it’s just a blackhead is the best thing you can do for your pores. Open comedones, or blackheads, are clogged pores filled with sebum (oil), dirt/makeup, and dead skin cells that oxidize when exposed to air.
If left to sit around for too long, they move deeper into pores and can rupture, become infected with bacteria, and develop scarring inflammation. Some theories suggest that all acne originates as a micro-comedone.
So, by treating blackheads in their earliest stage, you may prevent more severe breakouts! Regularly cleaning out clogged pores is crucial for overall skin health.
Blackheads also fill and expand pores, and the longer they remain in the pore, the larger the blackhead can become, and the larger your pore will stretch. Oily skin usually means larger pores, and the risk for blackheads is greater. If you have oily skin, you may wonder if that will ever change.
Often as we age, our oil glands slow down and we produce less oil, so it’s not necessarily “once oily always oily,” I can assure you. These simple do-it-yourself blackhead-fighting masks are ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, no matter what stage in life you are in.
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1. Honey Blackhead Mask
Honey is not only antibacterial but naturally unclogs pores as well. Using clean fingers, on a clean, dry face, apply small amounts of raw honey to your middle and ring fingers and gently pat on the skin where blackheads are present.
Repeat, concentrating on the chin, forehead, and nose areas, being careful to avoid the under-eye area as bruising can occur. Pat for 1–3 minutes total, not in the same area. Gently wash your face with warm water when finished.
2. Clay Blackhead Mask
Clay is a wonderful ingredient to battle blackheads, drawing out impurities and unclogging pores. Moroccan red clay comes from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and is ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.
- 2 tablespoons Moroccan red clay
- 3 tablespoons rose water
- 1 teaspoon mashed avocado
Combine these ingredients to create a paste. Using clean fingers or a brush, apply mask to the t-zone or acne-prone areas. As soon as the mask starts to lighten (a sign it is dry), rinse with warm water.
Avoid using a metal bowl or spoon for this recipe—instead, use glass or wooden instruments to maintain the potency and effectiveness of the clay’s properties.
3. Activated Charcoal Blackhead Mask
Drawing impurities and bacteria to the skin’s surface, activated charcoal scrubs are a fantastic oil blasting recipe for blackheads. Use once or twice a week to fight blackheads and dislodge the gunk from those pesky pores.
- 2 tablespoons unscented liquid Castile soap
- 1 tablespoon almond, jojoba, apricot kernel, or vitamin E oil
- 2 tablespoons finely ground brown or white rice flour
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons activated charcoal powder
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In a small bowl, stir together the Castile soap and oil. Add the rice flour, baking soda, and activated charcoal powder. The mixture may bubble up a bit. Keep stirring until smooth and creamy. Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
To use, splash your face with a little water, so it is damp. Take 1–2 teaspoons of the scrub and gently apply to the face with your fingertips in small, circular motions, being careful to avoid the area around the eyes.
To use as a mask, let the scrub sit on the face for a few minutes for extra oil-absorbing benefits. Rinse with lukewarm water, and pat your face dry. If the scrub becomes too dry, add a little water or almond oil, and stir again until creamy.
4. Egg White Blackhead Mask
Regularly using a deep cleansing mask designed to control oil accumulation in your pores is crucial to keeping blackheads at bay. This mask should be applied at night once a week since the lemon juice can make skin photosensitive (caution with sun exposure, especially if you have a history of photosensitivity, as it may lead to skin hyperpigmentation).
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon clay powder
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
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Beat the egg white until fluffy and then add in the clay and lemon juice and mix well. It will form a paste that you will apply to your t-zone area or any other areas prone to blackheads.
If it’s a bit thick, which will depend on the type of clay you use, add a 1/2 teaspoon of water. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water. Follow with an appropriate nighttime facial oil or moisturizer.
5. Baking Soda Blackhead Scrub
Combine the baking soda and raw milk in a bowl, and then gently scrub the areas with clogged pores and blackheads. Apply gentle pressure in a circular motion with your fingertips.