Taking off acrylic nails can be a hassle, but you don't always have to go to the salon. Removing them at home can save you money.
This article may include affiliate links and elements that were carefully created by our team using advanced ai to help you envision the best style advice.
You won't have to spend all day on it. With the right way and tools, you can get your acrylic nails off in 20 to 40 minutes. Keep reading to find out how to remove your acrylic nails, with or without acetone.
1. File The Nails Down With A Buffer
This is perhaps one of the simplest ways to remove your acrylic nails. If you prefer not to use any chemicals, here's the method for you.
Things you'll need:
- Nail clippers
- 2-sided fingernail file
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle scissors
- Nail buffer
1. Start by trimming the tips of the acrylic nails using your nail clipper. Try to cut off as much of the acrylic material as possible.
2. Next, grab your fingernail file and file down the acrylic nails using the course side of the buffer. Be sure to use a steady left-to-right motion, as you don't want to file down your natural nail during this step accidentally.
3. Next, take your cuticle pusher and use the edge to pry up the acrylic nail's top edge. This should be the edge that's closest to your cuticle. You may need to work the cuticle pusher around different points of the edge to lift it off.
4. Grab your cuticle scissors and place the tip beneath the top edge of the acrylic nail, then clip away the loose acrylic.
5. Once you have successfully removed the acrylic nails from both of your hands, take your fingernail buffer and buff your natural nails. Then take your nail file and file down your natural nails to remove any frail or jagged tips.
view this nail buffer on Amazon.
Before moving on to the next method, if you're curious how long your acrylics should last before needing removal? Find out in our guide, 'How Long Do Acrylic Nails Last?'
2. Use A Laminated Business Card
Sometimes you'll have to work with unconventional materials to get acrylic nails off--especially if you don't want to use acetone or other chemicals. He is a great example of that.
Things you'll need:
- A laminated business card
- Fingernail buffer
- Cuticle stick
- Cuticle cream
- Fingernail file
1. Take your cuticle stick and use it to pry up the bottom edges of the acrylic nail. This is the area that is closest to your cuticles. Work the cuticle stick around the edge, and be sure to lift the nail in small sections to avoid damaging your nail bed.
2. When a small part of your acrylic nail lifts, gently wiggle a business card at the edge. Slowly move it around until the nail comes off. Don't rush or you might hurt your real nail.
3. Repeat this process until all of the acrylic nails have been removed.
4. Next, take your fingernail buffer and buff the top of your nail beds until they are smooth.
5. Then, take your fingernail file and file down your natural nails' tips to remove any uneven or jagged sections.
3. Soak Them In Nail Polish Remover
If the aforementioned methods don't work for you, you may need to use some chemicals to loosen the acrylic first. Here's a quick method to consider that doesn't include acetone.
Things you'll need:
- Nail file
- Acetone-free nail polish remover
- A small disposable bowl
- Tweezers
- Fingernail clippers
1. First, grab your fingernail clipper and cut the acrylic nails as low as possible without actually cutting your natural nails. Next, take your nail file and file down the acrylic nails as low as possible.
2. Take the nail polish remover and pour about two-fourths of a cup of it into a small bowl.
3. Place your hands into the bowl fingers first and allow them to soak for about 30 to 40 minutes. You can also take a cuticle stick and gently pry the acrylic nails' top edge every 15 minutes to help loosen the glue.
4. Once 40 minutes have passed, grab a pair of tweezers and apply it to the top edge of the acrylic nail to lift it off of your nail bed. It should come off rather easily, but if not, take a cuticle stick and pry it loose. If the glue is still too hard, soak them for another 10 minutes.
5. Next, wash your hands with soapy water and then clip and file your natural nails.
4. Soak Them In Warm Water
You can also use warm water to remove acrylic nails. This method works especially well for nails that are over three or four weeks old.
Things you'll need:
- Nail file
- Warm soapy water
- Cuticle sticks
- Nail clippers
- A small disposable bowl
1. Start by trimming the acrylic nails down with your fingernail clipper. Next, take your fingernail file and gently buff the acrylic nail's edges to make them as thin and short as possible.
2. Next, grab your cuticle stick and gently go around the top edges of the acrylic nail. Note that you may not be able to lift the nail much, as the glue is still hardened.
3. Then pour warm water into a small bowl and add two drops of mild dishwashing soap to it.
4. Use your hand to swish the soap around a bit. You may need to boil a pot of water to replace the warm water in the bowl-- you want the water as hot as you can stand it but not scorching hot.
5. Let your nails soak in the bowl for about 30 to 40 minutes.
6. After 40 minutes have passed, take your cuticle stick and work it around the acrylic nails' top edge again to loosen them and lift them up.
7. Once you have removed all of the nails, take your fingernail file and clippers and give your natural nails a little maintenance to remove any jagged tips. You'll also want to buff your nails.
5. Soak Them In Acetone
If you prefer to remove your acrylic nails the old-fashioned way, you can also soak them in acetone.
Things you'll need:
- Nail file
- Acetone nail polish remover
- Cuticle sticks
- Nail clippers
- A small and large disposable bowl
1. Take your fingernail clipper and cut the acrylic nails down as low as possible. Be careful not to cut your natural nails. Then grab your nail file and file down the acrylic nails as low as possible.
2. Next, fill a small bowl with acetone until it's about half an inch deep, enough to cover your nails completely. Then, put this small bowl into a bigger one and add hot water to the bigger bowl. The hot water makes the acetone warm, which helps remove the acrylic faster.
3. Place your hands inside the small bowl with your fingernails touching the bottom.
4. Soak your fingertips in acetone for about 10 to 12 minutes. Be sure to angle your fingers forward so that the acetone makes the most contact with your nail bed instead of the front of your fingertips.
5. After 10 minutes have passed, wash your hands with warm soapy water to quickly get the acetone off of your skin.
6. Next, take a cuticle stick and go over each acrylic nail's edge to loosen it up and then lift it away.
7. Once you've completely removed all of the nails, grab your fingernail file and smooth down any jagged tips. Next, buff your nails and apply a cuticle moisturizer or oil.
6. Lift Them With Dental Floss
Here is a rather unconventional method that you can use to remove acrylic nails if you do not want to use chemicals.
- Stick dental floss
- Fingernail clipper
- Fingernail file or buffer
1. Start by clipping the acrylic nail until it is the same length as your natural nail. Then file down the edges as much as possible.
2. Next, take a cuticle stick and go around the top edge of your critical nail acrylic nail to help lift it slightly.
3. Take the floss stick and place it under the top of the acrylic nail. Work the stick slowly back and forth to loosen up the glue from the acrylic nail.
4. Continue working the floss stick across your nail until you reach the end of the acrylic nail. You may need to use your cuticle stick to help the edge of the acrylic nail off completely.
5. After you have removed all of the acrylic nails, go over your natural nails with your file's fine side to smooth down your nail bed, and then buff and clip your nails.
After removing the acrylic, you might wonder about the best time for a fresh set. "How Often Should You Get a New Set of Acrylic Nails?" offers insights into maintaining your manicure's freshness and health.
Nail Care and Removal Insights
Be cautious as it's easy to damage the nail bed. This guide aims to show safe at-home removal methods. Soaking your nails beforehand can make the process easier by softening the glue. Take good care of your nails!
Post this article with its handy image below to Pinterest, FB, or your chosen social media to share these acrylic nail removal tips with the world.
