Manicure Gone Bad

QUESTION: I had nail tips put on a week ago, but I don't like how they look. How can I get them off?

ANSWER: If you're tempted to try to remove artificial nail tips yourself, stop right there! Peeling off these plastic nails, which are bonded by glue to your natural nails, can cause serious damage to the nail plate underneath. That's because when you peel off a nail tip, you take several layers of natural nail with it, leaving those natural nails thin, weak and, in some cases, painful.

The best way to remove tips is to have it done by a professional. A manicurist has the strong chemicals necessary to dissolve the glue holding the nail tips onto your own nails, and can perform the procedure safely and with little risk of damaging your natural nails.

After removing tips, be sure to treat your nails with care. Apply a paint-on nail hardener to keep your nails strong as they grow out, and apply a rich cuticle balm to your cuticles and nails twice a day.