If you can’t find the nearby salon or just can’t find time to go there, you may have to just remove those acrylic nails on your own at home. While removing your acrylic nails at home without the assistance of a professional nail tech can be intimidating, we promise it’s actually quite simple with the help of several removing tools. Whereas, if you don’t have those tools at home, we will also share a few methods which could remove your acrylic nails without acetone.
Ok, let’s roll up your sleeves and start with the tools you may need to safely remove acrylic nails.
Step1. Cut down your acrylics as short as possible
The fastest and easiest way to get down to your natural nail length is using a sharp nail clipper, which cuts down your extensions. Also, remember to leave about two centimeters of fake nail above your natural nail for safety. You may hate to break your cool acrylic nail design, but cutting them down is your best option.
Step2. File off the acrylic nails as much as possible
Filing is a crucial step. Instead of filing your acrylic nails the traditional way, you will need to thin out the entire area of the nails covers. There are two types of files needed, a core grade file to remove the outermost portion of the acrylic, and a fine file to thinner it. The more you file off, the less time you have to soak in acetone. By the way, be careful not to cut the skin around the nails.
Step3. Soak Your Acrylic Nails in Acetone
One of the most common ways to remove acrylic nails is to do an acetone soak. You’ll need cotton balls and aluminum foil. First, soak the cotton with acetone and apply the saturated cotton ball directly on the nail. Next, wrap the nail in foil to seal it in, and let your aluminum foil nails be for about 20 minutes or so. Once time’s up, gently lift the aluminum foil off. If the acrylic can’t break down easily, leave your nails to soak for another five to ten minutes. Besides, you can also place a hot towel on top of your wrapped foils, which could faster the process. All you need to soften your acrylic nails is patience.
The other option is using a small bowl instead, if you don’t have foil and cotton balls at hand. While your fingers are submerged, rub the fingers. This method might be faster and more effective than using cotton balls, but it will also take about 20mins to get your acrylics off and it might damage your skin. Also, warming acetone with warmer water could faster the process. However, do not use any other method to heat acetone, because it’s extremely flammable.
Step4. Buff Your Nails
After successfully removing the acrylic, you’ll be ready to remove the remaining pieces of fake nails using a fine grit nail file or a nail buffer.
Step5. Hydrate Your Nails.
Even if you follow these steps to remove your acrylic nails by yourself, your natural nails will somewhat be compromised depending on how the technician applied then and how carefully you are when removing the fake nails.
How to protect your nails from acrylic nails, and how to remove your acrylic nails without damage?
First, for acrylic devotees, taking a break from them is the easiest way to prevent any nail fungus and bacteria issues. What’s more, regularly cleaning and caring for your nails, applying a cuticle oil and cream on your nail bed and wrapping each hand in a warm washcloth for five to ten minutes will help moisturize your cuticles, skin, and nails. But if you feel your nails are extremely weak after removing your acrylic nails, opt for a strengthening treatment, which is made of collagen and camellia extract to repair damaged nails.
How to remove acrylic nails without acetone?
If you prefer a non-acetone method, here are a few ways to remove acrylic nails without acetone at home.
A bit of dental floss will help you. First, you grab the cuticle stick and gently lift the edges of your acrylic with it. Keep in mind, gradually and gently, patience is the key. Then, carefully insert a piece of dental floss under the acrylic nail, and move the floss down the nail in a sawing motion. Finally, file away acrylic left on top of your natural nail and apply oil or lotion to your cuticle area.
Using acetone-free nail polish remover to remove acrylic nails is also a more natural way. Begin by clipping nails as short as possible. Then, gently pry and lift the edges of your acrylics with a pair of tweezers. Pour some acetone-free nail polish remover into a bowl, and make sure your nails are fully submerged. Wait for 30 to 40 minutes or more. When your nails start to loosen, carefully pull the acrylic off. Non-acetone polish remover usually takes longer but doesn’t make your nails brittle and dry.