How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home, According to Pros
Giving yourself an at-home manicure can be intimidating as it is, but having to remove your own acrylics without the assistance of a professional nail tech? Most people wouldn’t even dare (and most manicurists would typically discourage you from doing so in the first place). But these are uncertain times and, the reality is, if you have acrylic nails that have grown out and need removal, you’re not going to be able to get to a salon right now. It’s time to roll up your sleeves, grab some acetone and nail clippers, and take matters into your own hands.
The first thing you need to remember about removing your acrylic nails is that it’s going to take some time. Carve out an hour in your day, put some music on (or perhaps your latest Netflix show), and take a deep breath — this is going to require all your patience. But according to nail experts, removing acrylics at home isn't as impossible as you may have originally thought. While it’s a bit more involved than taking off your gel polish, it can be done.
Here's exactly how to do it safely and with as minimal damage to your nails as possible.
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Set Up Your At-Home Salon Station
Throughout this process, you’ll likely be asking yourself, "what would my manicurist do?" For starters, they'd set up a clean, ventilated work area. Remember, you'll be using a lot of acetone and clipping off extensions, so it's a good idea to cover the table you're using so as not to stain or ruin any of your surfaces.
Take a hand towel, fold it in half, and place a paper towel on top, advises Kristin Gyimah, owner and CEO of Dime Nails salon in Los Angeles. You might also want to consider opening a nearby window or setting up a fan, as the acetone will have a strong scent.
As far as tools go, you'll need:
nail clippers
a nail file with two grits (100/80, if possible)
a nail
buffer pure acetone (not just regular polish remover)
an orange stick or metal pusher
cotton balls
foil
a small bowl
If you're not able to go to your local drugstore to buy these tools, Gyimah suggests reaching out to a local nail artist who might be selling kits.
Cut Down Your Acrylics as Much as Possible
We hate to break it to you, but you're going to be losing a lot of your length. We're assuming you can't fill your acrylics at home by yourself, so cutting them down is your best option. Using sharp nail clippers, cut down your extensions, leaving about two centimeters of nail above your nail bed for safety. This is the fastest and easiest way to get down to your natural nail length, says nail artist Ashlie Johnson.
File, File Away
If you have regular polish on top of your acrylics, you can remove them now with a nail polish remover. But if you have gel polish on, Gyimah suggests using the coarse 100 grit side of your file to file off the shiny top coat and into the bulk of the acrylic.
"The more of your acrylic you file off, the less time you have to soak in acetone later," says nail artist Amy Le. But don't go too harsh with your file — Le advises leaving a thin layer of acrylic to avoid damaging your natural nail.
Soak Your Nails in Acetone
There are two ways you can do this. The first method involves cotton balls and foil, similar to how you would remove your gel manicure. Place a cotton ball soaked in acetone over the acrylic-covered nail bed and wrap it with foil tightly. Gyimah says to give it a squeeze.
"There should be a bit of acetone dripping out of your foil when you squeeze — that is how you know you have enough on the cotton ball," she says. Soak each nail for a minimum of 10 minutes to ensure the acrylic is breaking down properly.
If you want to take things a step further, Le suggests placing a hot towel on top of your wrapped foils. "The warm acetone works faster," she says. (Friendly reminder: Do not microwave acetone, as it is flammable.) You might have to repeat this step if it seems like the acrylic has not softened. Be patient! Having to wait is better than having a weak, damaged nail later on.
If you're out of foil and cotton balls (times are tough, we hear you), try this second method. Pour acetone into a small bowl and submerge your fingers. This will take about 20-30 minutes to break down your acrylics. "While your fingers are submerged, use your thumbs to rub the other four fingers — it helps break down the product faster," says Johnson. This method might be quicker and more effective than the cotton ball and foil method but prepare for your skin to be a little drier.
Gently Push the Acrylic Off Your Nails
Once the acrylic has softened, take your cuticle pusher or orange stick and carefully push the acrylic off your nail, starting from the cuticle area to the free edge. "The acrylic should come off easy without using too much pressure on your nail bed,” says Monserrat Rodriguez, nail artist and owner of Shears and Laque nail salon in Rancho Cucamonga, California. If it doesn't easily come off, repeat the previous step of soaking your nails in acetone.
Shape, File, and Buff Your Nails
After you've successfully removed the acrylic, Gyimah suggests using the fine grit nail file (80) to shape your natural nails. Then, lightly buff the tops of your nail beds to smooth and clean any product residue or roughness.
Hydrate
Your nails will likely feel very dry after this entire process, so rehydrating them back to health is crucial. Apply a cuticle oil on your cuticles and around the front side of your finger towards the free edge of your nail bed, says Gyimah. This will help moisturize your cuticles, skin, and nails. Le likes using marula oil from Drunk Elephant or The Ordinary.
Strengthen and Repair
Consider skipping polish and keeping your nails short over the next few weeks. But if your nails feel extremely weak from your acrylics, opt for a strengthening treatment. Johnson suggests Essie Treat Love and Color, a treatment and color in one made with collagen and camelia extract to repair damaged nails. Le likes OPI's Nail Envy, an easy-to-use nail strengthening polish, which she likes to apply every other day.
Apply Oil and Hand Cream Daily
Keep your hand lotion and cuticle oil near you at all times — you're going to want to use both religiously. This will help prevent dry, brittle nails from breaking. With a little bit of patience and a lot of hydration, you'll be back on the road to long, gorgeous natural nails in no time.
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