To safely remove acrylic nails at home, the most effective and commonly recommended method involves using acetone. Here is a step-by-step guide:
How to Remove Acrylic Nails with Acetone
You will need:
- Nail clippers or cuticle nippers
- Nail file (preferably coarse grit, around 100-grit)
- 100% pure acetone
- Cotton wool or lint-free pads
- Aluminum foil or soak-off clips
- Cuticle pusher or orange stick
Steps:
- Trim your acrylic nails as short as possible with nail clippers or cuticle nippers to reduce the surface area for acetone to penetrate
- File down the surface of the acrylic nails to thin them out. Use a coarse nail file to remove as much of the acrylic top layer as possible without damaging your natural nails
- Soak cotton balls or pads in acetone , then place one on each nail, covering the entire acrylic surface.
- Wrap each finger with aluminum foil or use soak-off clips to hold the acetone-soaked cotton in place. This helps the acetone work more effectively by preventing evaporation
- Wait for about 20-30 minutes. The acetone will break down the acrylic, making it soft and easy to remove
- Gently scrape off the softened acrylic using a cuticle pusher or orange stick. If some acrylic remains stubborn, rewrap and soak for an additional 10-15 minutes
- Buff any remaining bits gently with a soft nail buffer to smooth the surface
- Finish by washing your hands and applying cuticle oil or moisturizer to rehydrate your nails and skin, as acetone can be very drying
Alternative Methods Without Acetone
- Nail drill : Carefully sanding down the acrylic with a nail drill can remove acrylics without acetone, but this requires skill to avoid damaging the natural nail
- Hot, soapy water soak : Soaking nails in hot, soapy water for about 10 minutes can help soften the acrylic adhesive, allowing gentle peeling with tools like a cuticle pusher or tweezers. This method is gentler but slower and less effective on fully hardened acrylics
Important Tips
- Avoid forcibly pulling or biting off acrylic nails as this can severely damage your natural nails
- Use acetone in a well-ventilated area and avoid overheating it; warm acetone can speed up removal but do not microwave it—warm by running the bottle under warm water instead
- Be patient and gentle throughout the process to minimize damage to your natural nails and nail beds
Following these steps will help you safely remove acrylic nails at home with minimal damage. For best results and nail health, professional removal by a trained nail technician is recommended when possible
