To remove acrylic nails safely at home, follow these expert-recommended steps:
Steps to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home
1. Trim and File Down the Acrylics
- If your acrylic nails are long, carefully trim them shorter with nail clippers to make removal easier and prevent snagging.
- Use a coarse nail file (around 100 grit) or a nail drill to file down the surface of the acrylic nails as much as possible. This thinning helps the acetone penetrate better
2. Soak Nails in Acetone
- Saturate cotton balls with 100% pure acetone.
- Place a soaked cotton ball on each nail, then wrap each finger with aluminum foil to hold the cotton in place and trap heat, which speeds up the process.
- Alternatively, you can soak just the nail tips in a bowl of acetone, but this is harsher on your skin and takes longer
3. Wait and Check Progress
- Leave the acetone-soaked cotton and foil on your nails for about 20-30 minutes.
- After this time, check one nail by gently pushing with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher to see if the acrylic has softened and is lifting.
- If not, rewrap and wait longer
4. Gently Remove the Acrylic
- Once softened, gently scrape or push off the acrylic with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher.
- Avoid forcing or scraping harshly to prevent damaging your natural nails.
- Buff any remaining bits gently with a nail buffer
5. Clean and Moisturize
- Wash your hands thoroughly to remove acetone residue.
- Apply cuticle oil and moisturizer to rehydrate your nails and skin, as acetone can be very drying
Additional Tips
- Perform this process in a well-ventilated area due to acetone fumes
- Avoid removing acrylics by biting, picking, or using non-acetone home remedies like dental floss or dish soap, as these can damage your nails
- If you prefer not to use acetone, soaking in hot, soapy water and gently peeling can help soften acrylics, but this method is slower and less effective
- For a faster or drill-assisted removal, consider professional help or be very cautious with nail drills to avoid nail damage
Following these steps patiently will help you remove acrylic nails safely at home while minimizing damage to your natural nails. If unsure, visiting a nail technician is the safest option
