By leah jones
It’s usually best to let a professional remove your acrylic nails but sometimes you just want them off as quickly as possible. Fortunately there are ways to do so safely.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to remove acrylic nails at home. Remember it requires patience and care to avoid damaging your natural nails.
Acetone (100% pure is best), cotton balls or pads, aluminum foil, nail file (coarse and fine), cuticle stick or orange wood stick, nail buffer, moisturizer and cuticle oil and a bowl.
Use a nail clipper to cut the acrylic nails as short as possible so there is less acrylic to remove. Be careful not to cut too close to your natural nail.
Gently file the shiny topcoat and polish of the acrylic nails using a coarse nail file. This helps the acetone penetrate better.
Soak a cotton ball or pad with acetone. Then place the soaked cotton on your nail, fully covering it. Wrap each finger tightly with a small piece of aluminum foil. This traps heat and speeds up the process.
Allow the acetone to work for 15–20 minutes. You can place your wrapped fingers in a warm towel or use a heating pad for added effectiveness.
Check one nail to see if the acrylic has softened. Use a cuticle stick to gently push off the loosened acrylic. Do not force it; re-soak the nails if the acrylic is still hardened.
Once the acrylic is removed, gently buff your nails to remove any residue and smooth the surface.
Wash your hands thoroughly to remove any acetone residue. Additionally, apply a generous amount of moisturizer and massage cuticle oil into your nails to rehydrate them.
If you don't have aluminum foil, you can soak your nails directly in a bowl of acetone. Make sure to use a glass or acetone-resistant bowl and keep your hands submerged for 20–30 minutes.
Avoid pulling or peeling off the acrylic, as this can damage your natural nails. If your nails feel weak afterward, give them a break by applying a nail strengthener or keeping them bare for a few days.
You can soak your nails with a non-acetone nail polish remover if you do not want to use acetone. However, this will take more time and patience. Just soap and warm water is not strong enough.
Be careful when removing acrylic nails at home. If your attempts fail or you experience any pain, allow a professional to remove them instead.