How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home? Ultimate Guide

Imagine enjoying a vibrant, durable manicure with acrylic nails. They look stunning, but there comes a time when you either want a new look or need to let your natural nails rest. Removing acrylic nails at home correctly is essential to avoid damaging your real nails. No need to stress – with the right tools and some patience, you can easily handle this yourself.

This guide will demonstrate a straightforward and safe method using acetone. Acetone, a common nail polish remover, effectively breaks down the acrylic, making it easy to remove without harming your natural nails.

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What You Will Need to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home?

Gathering the essential supplies is the first step in preparing your workspace for removing acrylic nails at home. Having everything you need ready beforehand will make the process smoother and more efficient. Here’s a breakdown of the necessary supplies:

  • Acetone: Acetone is a strong solvent commonly found in nail polish removers. It helps dissolve the acrylic nails, making them easier to remove. Ensure you have a sufficient amount of acetone for the entire process.
  • Cotton Balls: These are used to soak in acetone and place on each nail. They effectively deliver the acetone to the acrylic nails.
  • Aluminum Foil: Aluminum foil is used to wrap the fingertips after applying acetone-soaked cotton balls. This wrapping creates a seal that traps heat, speeding up the removal process.
  • Nail Clipper: Trim your acrylic nails down before starting the removal process. This step makes it easier and reduces the risk of accidentally snagging or pulling long acrylics.

Now, let’s go through the step-by-step process to remove acrylic nails at home using acetone.

Things to remove acrylic nails
Things to remove acrylic nails

How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home with Acetone

It is very easy to remove acrylic nails at home with acetone, but you have to be patient and do it carefully. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Trim the Acrylic Nails (optional)

First, you might want to trim your acrylic nails using nail clippers. If they’re too long, carefully cut them to a more manageable length. Make sure not to trim too close to your natural nails to avoid any damage. Trimming can make the removal process more comfortable and prevent snagging or discomfort during the acetone soak.

Step 2: Buff the Acrylic Nails

Buffing the acrylic nails involves gently roughening the top layer before soaking them in acetone. This step is crucial because it allows the acetone to penetrate the acrylic more effectively, speeding up the removal process. Here’s how to buff the acrylic nails:

  • Select a nail buffer or a fine-grit nail file.
  • Gently move the buffer or file across the entire nail surface.
  • Buff in one direction, not back and forth.
  • Focus on the top layer of the acrylic nails.
  • Stop once the surface appears slightly duller and less glossy.
Buff the Acrylic Nails
Buff the Acrylic Nails

By making the surface of the acrylic nails more porous, this step helps the acetone break down the acrylic material more quickly. This reduces the time needed to soften and remove the artificial nails, making the process faster and less likely to harm your natural nails.

Step 3: Soak Cotton Balls in Acetone

Saturate cotton balls completely with acetone. Ensure they are well-soaked but not dripping. This thorough soaking is crucial because it helps the acetone penetrate the acrylic nails, softening them for easier removal without damaging the natural nails underneath.

Step 4: Apply the Acetone-soaked Cotton Balls

Apply the acetone-soaked cotton balls or pads to each acrylic nail. This step ensures that the acetone makes direct contact with the acrylic, aiding in its softening and dissolution for easier removal.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply the acetone-soaked cotton balls:

  • Soak Cotton Balls/Pads: Pour acetone into a small bowl and place the cotton balls or pads inside until fully saturated. Ensure they are thoroughly wet but not excessively dripping to avoid mess.
  • Prepare Cotton for Application: If using cotton balls, gently separate them into smaller portions to cover each nail entirely. For cotton pads, cut them into smaller pieces to fit your nails better.
  • Apply to Nails: Place the soaked cotton ball or pad on top of each acrylic nail, covering the entire nail surface. Press down slightly to ensure it adheres well.
  • Repeat for All Nails: Apply soaked cotton balls or pads to all your acrylic nails.
  • Leave the acetone-soaked cotton balls in place for about 20-30 minutes. This duration allows the acetone to soften the acrylic effectively, making removal easier and minimizing damage to your natural nails.
Apply the Acetone-soaked 
Apply the Acetone-soaked

Step 5: Secure with Aluminum Foil

Wrap each fingertip with small pieces of aluminum foil after placing acetone-soaked cotton balls on the acrylic nails. The foil keeps the cotton balls in place, ensuring full coverage and creating a sealed environment that retains heat, speeding up the acetone’s action on the acrylic. This helps soften the acrylic nails, making them easier to remove without harming the natural nails.

Step 6: Wait and Let the Acetone Work

Leave the acetone-soaked cotton balls or pads on the acrylic nails for about 20-30 minutes. During this time, the acetone will break down the acrylic, softening it for easier removal. The aluminum foil helps retain heat, enhancing the process. After the waiting period, the acrylic should be soft enough to gently push off with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher, avoiding damage to your natural nails.

Step 7: Check the Progress

After soaking your acrylic nails in acetone for 20-30 minutes, unwrap one foil to see how it’s going. Gently check if the acrylic has softened and started to lift. If it’s still firm, rewrap and wait a bit longer.

Checking progress ensures you don’t remove the acrylic too early, which can cause damage and make the rest harder to remove

Step 8: Clean and Moisturize

Once the acrylic nails are off, wash your hands to remove any remaining acetone and acrylic. Then, apply cuticle oil or moisturizer to your nails and skin to help them recover.

This step nourishes and hydrates your nails, preventing them from becoming dry and brittle. Proper care after removing acrylics helps your nails stay healthy and look great.

Conclusion

Removing acrylic nails at home with acetone can be a straightforward process if done carefully. Remember to trim or file the nails, soak them in acetone, and be patient during the removal process. Afterward, ensure to clean and moisturize your nails to maintain their health and appearance. However, if you are unsure or encounter difficulties, seeking assistance from a professional nail technician is always a wise choice. 

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