How to remove tobacco stains from hands (+video)

Smoking can bring about a variety of detrimental health effects, including yellow tobacco stains on your fingers and nails.

Although the yellowish stains on your fingers and nails might appear permanent, there are methods to remove them completely or minimize the undesirable discoloration.

How to remove nicotine stains from hands and fingers

You can remove tobacco stains from your hands by either brushing toothpaste on the stained area for a couple of minutes and rinsing with warm water, taking half a lemon and rubbing it against the stained area for 5-10 mins or peeling a potato and rubbing it on the stained area.

Read further to learn techniques on how to remove tobacco stains from your hands.

• You should also read: How to remove tobacco from teeth

Video: How to remove nicotine stains from hands and nails

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A few ways to remove tobacco stains from your hands

The tobacco stains on your fingers can be undesirable to look at. Luckily, the discoloration can be removed, or at least minimized. Let’s take a look at the steps on how to remove tobacco stains from your hands. 

Start with a nail file

Use a nail file or emery board to sand away some of the tobacco stains on your fingers. Apply gentle pressure to rub the rough part of the nail file or emery board across the stained area of your fingers. 

A bleach and water solution

A diluted solution of bleach and water can help eliminate the yellowish tobacco stains on your fingers.

1. Combine 1 part bleach with 4 parts water.
2. Soak a nail brush into the solution and apply it to the stained area of your fingers.
3. Leave it in place for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly.
4. Wash your hands with soap and water when you’re finished.
5. Don’t forget to apply hand cream or moisturizer on your hands to prevent your skin from drying out.

Toothpaste is surprisingly effective

If bleach seems too harsh, just grab your toothpaste from next to the sink. You can use any standard toothpaste to get rid of tobacco stains on your hands. Brush the toothpaste on your fingers and scrub it on the stained skin for a few minutes. Rinse the area with warm water. 

A natural approach: Lemon juice

Lemon juice is an effective natural bleaching agent that can get rid of tobacco stains on your fingers.

1. Slice a fresh lemon in half.
2. Take one half and place it against your stained hands.
3. Rub the lemon until the area is coated with lemon juice.
4. Leave in place for 5-10 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. 

A simple potato

Believe it or not, you can actually get rid of tobacco stains on your hands with a regular potato. Simply peel a potato and rub it on the stained area for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly after. 

A dissolved aspirin tablet

This tobacco stain removal approach uses something else you probably have in your medicine cabinet: an aspirin tablet. Follow these simple steps:

1. Dissolve an aspirin tablet in a cup of hot water.
2. When the water has cooled down a bit, put your stained fingers into it.
3. Soak your fingers for a few minutes.
4. Wash your hands with water and soap after.

An alternative is creating a paste using an aspirin tablet with a few drops of water. Scrub this paste on the stained areas and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse the paste and wash your hands thoroughly after. 

You also need to know this:

• How to get rid of nicotine from walls
• How to get nicotine our of you mustache
• How to get smoke stains off plastic

How to remove nicotine stains from nails

Just like the skin on your hands, your finger nails can also end up with significant discoloration from nicotine exposure. Here are some remedies that can remove the pesky stains.

Soak your nails in hydrogen peroxide

Take note that hydrogen peroxide has some whitening properties that can get rid of nicotine stains.

1. Prepare a solution by mixing 3-4 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide with half a cup of water.
2. Dip your nails into the solution and soak for up to 15 minutes.
3. Use a toothbrush to brush away any lingering stains on your nails.
4. Rinse with water. 

Apple cider vinegar minimizes discoloration

Apple cider vinegar contains malic and acetic acids, which can help eliminate the discoloration in your nails. Prepare a solution by combining half a cup of lukewarm water and half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak your nails for up to 20 minutes. Rinse your nails and dry them with a towel. 

Mouthwash isn’t only for your mouth

Use an alcohol-based mouthwash to get rid of the nicotine stains on your nails. Pour the mouthwash in a small bowl and soak your nails in it for up to 30 minutes. This should help eliminate the yellow discoloration on your fingernails.

Rub orange peels on your nails

Orange peels are full of vitamin C and can help eliminate the tobacco stains on your nails. Peel an orange and rub the inner part of the peel against your yellowish nails for 5-10 minutes. The citrus fruit will help get rid of the stains.

Techniques on how to remove nicotine stains from fingers

For those who smoke, you might end up with the yellowish discoloration on your fingers or nails. There are several techniques that you can try out to get rid of the yellowish discoloration. 

• Exfoliating the skin. Moisten the skin by immersing your fingers in water for a few minutes, but not too long. Use a pumice stone, nail file, salt scrub, body brush, or sugar scrub to scrape away some of the stains on your fingers. Only use slight pressure while rubbing until the stain starts to fade. Stop rubbing the stained area if it turns red or irritated. 
• Bleach solution. A diluted mixture of water and bleach can also eliminate the nicotine stains on your fingers. Combine 1-part bleach together with 4 parts water in a glass bowl. Saturate a nail brush into the solution and apply it to the stained area. Leave it on your fingers for a few minutes and rinse away. After rinsing your hands, apply a moisturizer or hand cream to prevent dryness. Additionally, do not use this method if you have an open wound or right after using a different removal technique. 
• Toothpaste. Toothpaste can also be used to remove nicotine stains on your fingers. You can use any standard toothbrush. Squeeze an ample amount directly on the stained area. Use a toothbrush to work the toothbrush into the stained skin for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water. 
• Lemon juice. Lemon juice is an efficient natural bleaching substance that can help remove the yellowish marks on your fingers. Cut a fresh lemon in half. Take half of the lemon and hold it against the stained area. Rub completely until coated in lemon juice. Let it sit on the site for 5-10 minutes and rinse away with warm water. The process can be repeated up to 5 times throughout the day. Additionally, this removal technique might sting if you have miniature cuts on your fingers. 
• Potato. With this removal technique, it is generally milder than some of the other methods. This is a good option for those who have sensitive skin. Peel a potato and rub it on the stained area for a few minutes. Rinse away the potato juice after letting it soak for a few minutes. This process can be repeated up to 10 times throughout the day.
• Aspirin. Use a single tablet of aspirin and dissolve in 8 oz. cup of hot water. Immerse your stained fingers into the water once it has slightly cooled. Let it soak for several minutes. Wash your hands with water and soap after the soaking. An alternative is creating a paste with one tablet of aspirin and a few drops of water. Use the paste to scrub on the stained areas and let it sit for up to 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly after. 

What are the physical effects of smoking on your skin?

The skin tone of people who smoke might appear uneven, usually with an orange or grayish tinge. The lack of oxygen to the skin cells plays a role in why this occurs, along with the negative effects of several chemicals present in tobacco. Remember that cigarette smoke is packed with over 7,000 chemicals, including 250 that are considered poisonous and 70 that can cause cancer.

One of the physical effects of smoking is no other than the nicotine stains. Among those who have been smoking for years, the fingers can end up with a yellowish stain from the nicotine and other toxins in cigarettes commonly referred to as tar. This type of staining is nearly impossible to remove with soap and water alone. The only way to prevent it from worsening is to avoid cigarettes entirely.

Frequently asked questions about tobacco stains

How do you remove nicotine from skin?

For those who smoke, most are likely to end up with yellowish nicotine stains on their fingers. If you want to remove the nicotine from your skin, simply follow these steps.

• Moisten your skin by immersing your fingers in water for a few minutes. Do not allow it to soak so long that your skin starts to prune.
• You can use a pumice stone, nail file, salt scrub, body brush or sugar scrub to brush away some of the nicotine on your fingers. 

What causes nicotine stains on fingers?

Nicotine stains on the skin are caused by the tar content in cigarettes. They happen when people smoke down to the “butt” of a cigarette. Nicotine stains on the hands are not always present among heavy smokers. 

It is important to note that smoking has consequences on smokers’ health, not only inside their bodies, but also outside. Smoking can also cause some physical effects like yellowish nicotine discoloration on your fingers and nails.

The stains on your fingers and nails might seem permanent, but there are techniques to remove or minimize the discoloration. 

How can I prevent nicotine stains on my fingers?

If you want to prevent stains on your fingers, there are preventive measures that you should be familiar with.

• When smoking, wear gloves. If your fingertips are not exposed to the smoke, it will not stain your skin. It’s best to wear vinyl or leather gloves for better protection. Plain knitted winter gloves can still lead to some smoke seeping through.
• Apply a thick lotion to your hands and fingertips before smoking. This creates a barrier between your fingers and the smoke. 
• Wash your hands after smoking. Proper hygiene is very important when you smoke. The odor of the cigarettes can remain on your hands for a long time if you don’t wash hands. This will also give nicotine the opportunity to stain your fingers.
• Use an intervening device while smoking. You can utilize a device in your hand or mouth, such as a hookah or metal pipe. These tools will help lessen the amount of nicotine that your fingers are exposed to. 
• Stop smoking. If you continue to smoke, you are at risk of exposing your fingers to nicotine stains. As with all tobacco related side effects, the best way to get rid of them is to stop smoking all together.

Does nail polish remover remove nicotine stains

The nicotine in cigarette smoke can leave behind undesirable stains on your fingers. Whether you decided to end the habit for good and eager to remove the stains or looking for a quick fix, there are several techniques that you can use to remove the yellowish discoloration. 

Moisten a cotton ball with nail polish remover and rub it over the yellow stains until they vanish. You can repeat the process if needed.

How long do nicotine stains on fingers last?

It is important to note that nicotine can trigger several detrimental health effects, but also have some evident physical effects such as the yellowish discoloration on your fingers and nails. 

The yellow stains on your fingers and nails might appear permanent but there are some remedies that you can use to remove them and lessen the discoloration brought about by smoking. 

Can toothpaste remove nicotine stains from fingers

Toothpaste can be used to get rid of nicotine stains from your fingers. You can use any regular toothpaste. Simply squeeze enough amount onto the site of the discoloration.

Use a toothbrush to scrub the toothpaste into the yellow skin for a few minutes and rinse the area thoroughly with warm water after. When dealing with stubborn nicotine stains, use a whitening toothpaste. 

Final thoughts

For smokers, getting tobacco stains on the fingers and nails is expected, especially those who have been smoking for some time. The discoloration can be undesirable to look at. But with simple ingredients including toothpaste, citrus juice, hydrogen peroxide or aspirin, you can effectively minimize the stains or get rid of the discoloration completely.