How to Remove Shellac Nail Polish at Home?

Because of its long lasting results most women love shellac nail polish, but after two weeks when the nail starts growing and affection towards the chemical filled nail polish slowly fades, they start searching nail salons or inquire with friends on how to remove shellac nail polish at home.

Few nail salons may have injected wrong statement in your mind that it’s not safe to remove shellac nail polish at home, but beauty experts try and recommend this simple strategy to wipe nail polish.

We’re going to discuss two simple ways to remove shellac nail polish one with acetone and other without acetone.

Recommended: Natural nail polisher remover

Method: 1 (With Acetone)

how to remove shellac nail polish at homeThings you’ll need

  • Acetone
  • Cuticle oil
  • Manicure stick
  • Warm water, soap and bowl.

Repeated application of acetone will leave your skin dry, so apply cuticle oil around the nail plate extensively to form a protective layer on cuticles.

  1. Take pure acetone in a large bowl so that you can easily dip your fingernails. Highly concentrated acetone will dehydrated your skin, so experts recommend limiting its use. Anyhow, low concentrated acetone may not be effective at wiping nail polish.
  2. Soak your fingernails in acetone solution for about 10 minutes in such a way that little skin is dipped in acetone.
  3. After the mentioned time, use manicure stick and start wiping the shellac nail polish. Start from the nail bottom and completely remove the nail polish. Alternatively, you can start wiping when your nails are still in acetone.
  4. After scraping nail polish wash your hands with warm water and soap. This will remove white residue left behind by these chemicals.
  5. Don’t worry if you see dry skin around nails, repeated application of natural moisturizer will help you hydrate them. You can also apply cuticle oil around the nail plate.

Acetone is effective in removing nail polish but because of its drying effect few skin loving people prefer alternate method which am discussing below.

Also read: What causes dents in fingernails?

Method – 2 (Without Acetone)

Things you’ll need

  • Cuticle oil
  • Cotton pads
  • Acetone free nail polish remover
  • Aluminum foil
  • Cuticle pusher

It’s not going to be easy to remove extremely strong shellac nail polish without acetone, you may want to try the below method more than twice or apply little acetone to fasten the process.

  1. Initially to protect your sensitive skin around the nail plate, apply cuticle oil extensively.
  2. Dip cotton pads or saturate them with acetone free nail polish remover. Best way would be cutting cotton pads to fit the person’s nail so that you can save your skin from drying.
  3. After placing saturated cotton pads, wrap them using aluminum foils. Leave it for about 10 minutes then you can scrap shellac nail polish using cuticle pusher.
  4. For tough shellac nail polish use metallic pusher. You must repeat the process until shellac nail polish gets off.

However, we recommend staying away from this chemical filled nail polish to keep your nails healthy and natural. How do you remove shellac nail polish at home? Please share your steps in comments.

Must read: Why your fingernails turn blue?

Why Are My Fingernails Blue?

Climate has significant impact on your skin. Excess cold may disrupt normal blood circulation in your body resulting in pale or blue fingernails. Pink nails are a sign of healthy and well circulated nails. As mentioned above low blood circulation may turn your pinkish nails to pale blue, another reason according to experts is low levels of hemoglobin in blood.

To know the exact cause of blue fingernails, rub your fingers repeatedly to improve blood circulation. If you don’t see any positive sign then it can be cyanosis, a chronic disease.

Consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Like minor injuries on nail bed or cuticles you can’t ignore blue fingernails. It may increase exponentially and cause serious trouble. First thing it spoils your appearance, whenever you meet a person first thing you do is shake hand and blue fingernails may raise insecurity in your colleague. People intentionally isolate which will shatter your confidence level. This social isolation is a serious problem than the disease itself.

Asthma, Adult respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac tamponade and Raynaud’s disease are other diseases associated with cyanosis.

How to Use a Cuticle Pusher?

how to use cuticle pusher

Infectious bacteria invade dry cuticles and trigger fungal infection underneath nail plate. Fingernail manicure hydrates your dry cuticles and restrains harmful bacteria.

Cuticles are part of your skin that protects nail matrix like a barrier. Just like your skin, cuticles deserve your utmost attention. Besides manicure and pedicure, you must push cuticles when necessary. Though wooden cuticle pushers are soft and inexpensive, metal cuticle pushers last for longer time.

Utmost care must be taken if not you may end up damaging cuticles. Below is the step by step guide on using cuticle pusher.

Different Ways to Use a Cuticle Pusher

  1. Initially decide to get a wooden or steel cuticle pusher. For sensitive cuticles experts recommend wooden cuticle pusher.
  2. Before pushing cuticles, prepare your nails by moisturizing them. If you try pushing without hydrating them, the cuticle pusher will tear your skin. Use cuticle remover or any essential oil to hydrate the cuticles.
  3. After moisturizing, soak your fingernails in lukewarm water for few minutes to soften them.
  4. Pat dry using soft cloth.
  5. When the skin is still damp, use wooden or steel cuticle pusher to push cuticles. Use round shaped part of the cuticle pusher and gently push the cuticles towards the nail base.
  6. To push the cuticles at the corner of fingernails use sharp end of the cuticle pusher.

 Tips

  • Apply jojoba oil or coconut oil to hydrate dry cuticles.
  • Start the process only when the cuticles are completely moisturized.
  • Place your hand on firm surface while pushing cuticles.
  • Take an expert advice or ask them to help you out for few days.

Would you prefer pricey spas over this home available cuticle pusher? Please share your views in comments.

Image source

What Causes Dents in Fingernails and Toenails?

dent on fingernails

Nails are made of kertain, the protein which is also composed in skin and hair. Unlike toenails, fingernails grow faster and are surrounded by nail plate, nail bed, cuticle and nail fold. Experts claim that nails can give you health warnings of serious diseases.

Apart from this, fingernails can be affected by fungus leading to yellow, ridged and weak nails. Wonder what causes dents in fingernails? Though dents are common, causes of fingernail dents are various. Fingernails, which play a vital role in your beautiful appearance, will be ruined with dents and grooves.

Also read: How to get rid of thick skin under toenails

Causes of Dents in Fingernails

As mentioned earlier, fingernails & toenails abnormality is a sign of your health problem. Often they’re caused by fungal infection, external trauma or poor diet. Let’s now dwell into possible reasons of nail dents.

Vitamin Deficiency

Experts claim that deficiency in vitamin B-12 is the main reason that may possibly cause dents on nails. Poor nutritional diet is the main reason for this deficiency says health experts.

Not just dents, deficiency in vitamin B-12 will result in brittle and discolored nails. Study carried out in 2012 quotes that the fingernails may change to blue, blackish-pigment with dark streaks. Another study carried out in 2007 states that taking B-12 supplement may not improve your nail condition if you already have enough vitamin B-12.

However, experts suggest consuming vitamin rich diet like milk, egg, beef, salmon and chicken breast. Apart from this, restrain biting nails and practice hygiene.

Nail Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition with dry itchy patches on elbows, knees and on scalp. This skin disorder can be spread to nails known as nail psoriasis resulting in irregular and pitting nails. Causes of psoriasis are still unknown, but scientific data states that hereditary may be reason behind these patches.

Unfortunately there is no permanent solution for psoriasis. However, you can decrease its effect by following doctor prescribed creams.

Trauma or Injury

A sudden accidental injury may leave a dent on your fingernails or toenails. Extreme biting of nails may also cause dent on fingernails.

Reiter Syndrome

It’s a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis with inflammation of eyes, genitals, urinary and gastrointestinal system. These symptoms may also cause dent on fingernails. Reach your doctor for diagnosis and treatment, which may involve drugs and steroid creams.

Alopecia Areata

In alopecia areata your immune system attacks your hair follicles resulting in hair fall in small patches at different parts. Allergies, autoimmune disease, hereditary and extensive hair loss may result in permanent hair loss in alopecia areata. Using prescribed topical steroids, UV rays and other immunotherapy can treat this condition.

These were few causes of dent in fingernails and toenails. Apart from this, you’re advised to practice good hygiene, take nutritional diet, avoid injuries and groom your nails regularly.

Image source

3 DIY Natural Nail Polish Remover Methods

natural nail polish remover

Cosmetic products are filled with chemicals that may damage your sensitive skin and nails. On the other hand, natural ingredients are effective and side-effects are ignorable in most cases. Though you can get nail polish removers from local drug store, I recommend trying natural nail polish remover as they’re cheap and available at home, you don’t have to rush to get one.

If you’ve sensitive skin or nails limit the use of lemon juice and other strong remedies. They may dry your soft skin around the nails.

Home Available Natural Nail Polish Remover Methods

1. Use Tooth Paste to Remove Nail Polish

Sounds weird, but your tooth paste has ability to wipe away chemical filled nail polish. Assorted properties packed in tooth paste make it an effective method.

  • Apply Vaseline on polished nails.
  • Mix some water with tooth paste and squeeze few drops of lemon juice.
  • After mixing thoroughly, using nail cleaning brush wipe the nail polish vigorously.
  • If you’ve brittle/weak nails, then you should do it smoothly.
  • Rinsing it with water and apply natural moisturizer.

Also read: Get Rid Thick Skin Under the Toenails

2. Vinegar and Lemon Method

Acetic acid and other renowned properties blended in vinegar helps to remove nail polish and fight fungal infection. Get vinegar from local drug store and mix it with few drops of lemon juice. Using cotton ball apply it over polished nails. When your nails completely dipped with vinegar and lemon solution, use another cotton ball to wipe the polish.

Dip your fingernails in lukewarm water to fasten the process.

3. Deodorant to Remove Nails Polish

Luckily deodorants or hair sprays can not only be used to keep body odor at bay, but you can remove any type of stains. Almost all deodorants are packed with such solvents that can remove stains and polish from anywhere.

Spray your body spray over polished nail from close distance. Immediately, using cotton ball wipe the nail polish. You can repeat the process if needed.

Alternatively you can use perfume to remove polish, just like deodorant method.

Another simple remedy is to use nail polish itself. Apply nail polish over polished nails and immediately wipe using cotton ball. Try these natural nail polished removers, you’ll find it interesting.

Image source

DIY Rose Petal Face Mask Recipe

rose petal face mask

Impurities piled over your epidermis (skin) need to be cleansed and when you use chemical filled creams to do this task, they normally stripe natural oils from your skin. Natural oils plays vital role in effective functioning of the skin.

Rose petal face mask unlike your pricey creams effectively cleanses the impurities and also hydrates your dry skin. Renowned properties residing in rose petals help to fight infectious and harmful bacteria, giving you a spot less fair skin.

Also read: Benefits of Rose Water for Skin

Now, before jumping into different DIY recipes, let me put down few points on effective properties of rose petals/water and how can they can nourish your skin.

  • Known for its excellent aroma, rose water hydrates your dry skin and maintains its pH balance.
  • Antibacterial agents housed in rose petals will restrain bacterial and fungal infection. P.acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne blemishes can be controlled using rose water face mask.
  • Your skin and body has free radicals, which may damage cell membrane. Antioxidant agents in this face pack kill free radicals.
  • Assorted properties packed in rose petal face pack will stimulate regeneration of cells and fade wrinkles.
  • You can also use rose water to heal minor burns and wounds.

1. Homemade Rose Petals/Water Face Mask Recipe

Get rose water from a local drug store or make your own rose water lotion at home. Wash your face and pat dry. Using cotton ball apply rose water over the face and under eyes evenly. Leave it to dry and then rinse it off.

Though rose water looks simple it’s packed with exceptional nutrients for your skin.

2. Rose, Egg White and Honey for Wrinkles

Egg white and honey are known for tightening skin pores and acts as anti-aging cream. Whip egg white in a bowl, add 1 table spoon of raw honey and mix the mixture thoroughly using electric whisker. Pick few fresh rose petals from your garden or borrow from a neighbor. Once again whisk the mask and apply it over prewashed face.

This mask can effectively soothe all skin disorders, so add it your beauty regimen and see amazing results.

Recommended: Egg white for blackheads

3. Rosewater and Glycerin Lotion

Glycerin has moisturizing agents that can soothe your dry itchy skin. Blend these two innate ingredients to give your face an excellent treatment. Mix 1 ½ cup of rosewater with 1/4th cup of glycerin thoroughly and apply it over the face evenly.

Before massaging with the mask, wash your face and pat dry. (More here)

Alternatively, you can add any other innate ingredients to rose water face mask. Some of them are sandalwood, milk, orange and yogurt.

Multani mitti and rose water face pack can effectively control excess oil secreted by sebaceous glands. Mix 1-2 tbsp of multani mitti or Fuller’s earth to required amount of rose water and apply it over acne blemishes. If you’ve dry skin, follow with a natural moisturizer after treating with this face pack.

Rose water face mask can be mixed with other natural ingredients and has no serious side-effects.

Image source

How to Use Baking Soda and Castor Oil for Skin Tags

baking and castor oil for skin tags

Most of us have noticed flesh-colored hanging skin around neck, over eye lids, armpits and in groin areas. Medically they are known as acrochordon; about 46% of people have skin tags. So it’s common and is not associated with any serious issue.

However, people try to remove it out of cosmetic concern. Dermatologists recommend removing skin tags only when they embarrass you or cause friction due to rubbing with cloth. After diagnosis, Doctor will suggest you the best way to remove skin tags, which may involve you taking it off at home or can be removed surgically.

But, if you’re looking for an inexpensive and effective home remedy, then baking soda with castor oil for skin tags is the excellent way to go. Prior to that let me accomplish the brief note on skin tags.

Middle-aged, obesity and pregnant women are prone to get skin tags. The hanging skin is caused due to the skin rubbing against itself or cloth. It’s trapped with blood vessels and collagen. Hormonal imbalance, obesity and other factors often cause skin tags, they look like warts. Research experts conclude that, both men and women are equal affected.

Also read: How to use castor for skin

Remove Skin Tags Using Baking Soda and Castor Oil

Things you’ll need

  • Baking soda
  • Castor oil
  • Cotton ball/Bandage
  • a bowl

Initially mix small amount of baking soda in castor oil, to form paste like consistency. Wash affected area with water and pat dry. Stir the castor oil paste thoroughly and apply thick film covering the skin tag. To protect from wiping off, use cotton ball or bandage.

Repeatedly apply it 2 times per day. It’s not instant remedy, so don’t be surprised to see no results initially.

Baking soda and castor oil paste dries the skin tag and assorted properties residing in them will start affecting to detach the tag.

Alternatively, you can try apple cider vinegar solution. Let us know if you’d like to use castor oil for skin tags.

Image source

Milk and Honey for Dry Skin on Your Nose

milk for dry skin on nose

Natural oils surrounding your skin protect it from infectious bacteria and virus. Few external or internal factors reap these natural moisturizing elements, leaving the skin dry and lifeless.

Pricey cosmetic creams can hydrate your skin and help you get rid of itching, but chemicals incorporated in these creams may irritate your sensitive skin. Unlike artificial creams, natural ingredients like milk and honey saturate the dry scaly skin on nose without less or no side-effects.

  • Renowned humectant and antibacterial agents in honey deeply cleanse dead cells and impurities off the skin.
  • Rich antioxidant agents in raw honey thwart free radicals and enhance elasticity of the skin.
  • Antibacterial properties blended in milk and honey help to deeply cleanse the dry skin on nose and face.
  • Moisturizing agents in this mask will penetrate into deeper layers of the skin to hydrate.

How to use Milk & Honey to Remove Dry Skin on Nose

milk and honey face mask

Chemical and fragrance filled soaps and creams stripe natural moisture from the skin, leaving it dry. Apart from this, aging and weather may cause your skin around nose dry. With age, sebaceous glands fail to secrete required amount of sebum to keep the skin moist. The need for an external moisturizer comes here.

  1. Initially cleanse your nose. Use rose water or olive oil, wash your face and apply one of the natural cleansers. Leave it for few minutes and wipe using cotton ball.
  2. Blend milk and honey in a bowl and mix thoroughly. While the skin is still damp, topically apply the mask on the nose just like you do over the face.
  3. Leave it to dry for few minutes.
  4. Then rinse it off using cool water.

Alternatively, you can mix 1 table spoon of unsweetened yogurt with 1 table spoon of raw honey to apply on face and nose. Slightly massage the face mask over dry areas of the nose.

Optionally, follow with a natural moisturizer like jojoba oil.

Conclusion

Milk and honey mask for dry skin on nose works effectively, when you select raw form of its ingredients. Avoid processed milk and honey, as they lack notable nutrients. If you feel irritated after using this homemade face mask, stop its use and reach the physician.

Image source