Can You Reuse Press On Nails?

Press on nails have become the go to for many since the pandemic. They’re a quick and easy way to achieve a beautiful manicure without the time and expense of going to a nail salon. But what happens when you want to reuse press on nails?  Can you save them for future use, or do you need to toss them after just one application?

Types of press on nails

The answer is that it depends on the type of press on nails you’re using. Some press on nails, specifically store bought ones, are made of thin plastic and are only good for single use.  These nails typically come with a weaker adhesive and tend to be flimsy, which means they can easily break during everyday wear and removal.  If you try to reapply these nails they may not stick as well or may not stay on at all.

On the other hand, there are reusable custom made press on nails, created by certified nail technicians that are made to fit your specific nails and are designed to be used multiple times. These nails are made with salon grade materials and come with stronger adhesive, so they can withstand multiple applications and removals.

Taking care of your custom made press on nails

To ensure that your custom made press on nails last as long as possible, it’s important to take good care of them.   Here’s 3 tips for keeping them in great condition:

1. Protect them with gloves when running chores
2. Be mindful of your nails; use the pads of your fingertips to pick things up or your knuckles to push buttons
3. Take care when removing them.  Not only will rushing the removal process risk damage to the press ons but your natural nails will suffer too!  A great way to speed up the removal is by using Dashing Diva Magic Off - it’s incredible stuff!

So you’ve taken care of your press on nails (big applause!), removed them safely and now you want to reuse them.  But how do we do this?  Well it depends on what you used to apply them with in the first place.

Adhesive Tabs

Adhesive tabs are ideal for shorter wear of 1-3 days at a time, perfect for events and weekend wear.  They also make your press on nails instantly reusable, just peel off the worn tab and they are ready to go for round two!

Nail Glue

Nail glue provides the strongest wear for your press ons, and will hold for 2+ weeks.  But you’ll see that after you’ve removed them there will be dried on glue on the underside, which needs to be buffed off for reuse.

If you have an e-file at home you can carefully buff away some of this residue - you don’t need to remove it all, it’s just to level it off!

Don’t have an e-file? No problem; Dippy Cow Nails custom press on nails come with a small tool which easily fits on the end of a pen.  You can use this tool to buff away that glue!

* please only use an e-file on your natural nails if you are a trained, experienced nail technician. 

In conclusion, whether or not you can reuse press on nails depends on the type of nails you’re using.  If they are store bought nails you are likely just getting one use. If you’re looking for a more sustainable, at home salon alternative then custom press on nails will be perfect for you, giving you wear after wear!