The Easiest Way To Take Off Acrylic Nails At Home

As much as I appreciate the look of acrylic nails on beautifully manicured hands, it breaks my heart when someone tries to bite or rip them off before redoing them. Taking such an absurd shortcut route will harm your real nails badly and you may end up regretting that big time. So, even if the very thought of doing it has crossed your mind recently, kindly draw the ending line.

But, that does not mean removing acrylic nails at home is not possible. You just have to get your technique right and use the proper equipment. While it may seem time-consuming at first, it actually becomes extremely easy with practice. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to take off acrylic nails at home without damaging the original ones.

What Are the Right Tools To Take Off Acrylic Nails?

It’s better to accumulate everything, keep them at arm’s reach and save yourself from running here and there later.

Here’s what you need to take off your acrylic nails:

• Nail clipper/ Toenail clipper
• 100-grit nail file
• Nail buffer/ Cuticle pusher
• Acetone
• Heating pad/ Warm bottle
• Cotton balls
• Foil
• Cuticle oil/ Hand cream
• Small container

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Trim the Length Of Your Acrylic Nails

I know it may be emotionally painful for you to bid adieu to those nail extensions but the easiest way to get started with removing the acrylic nails is to chop the excess length. Don’t take it literally, instead use a nail clipper. 

Move from one edge and go to the other. Avoid, cutting straight on. Upon reaching near the length of your real nails, stop. If you want something stronger to trim, you may also use a big toenail clipper. 

Do Filing On Your Acrylic Nails

Filing off the acrylic nails requires a bit of patience because you need to thin the entire top surface it covers. But, trust me, it will quicken the steps that follow.

Your usual nail file won’t work here. I will suggest utilizing a 100-git nail file. Why? Because it has a coarser texture, it will be more effective and will also lessen your workload. However, be very gentle while you are filing those acrylic nails to avoid harming the nails underneath. 

Soak Your Nails In Acetone

Even though many suggest gentler alternatives like warm water, dental floss, etc.  there is no easy way to take off acrylic nails at home than acetone. 

That being said, acetone has a strong odor and also dries the skin pretty fast. It is highly combustible, so you should exercise caution while using it. Also, avoid contact with the eyes. If it happens by mistake, make sure you wash them immediately.

For best results, you can use 100% acetone but if you want to reduce the damage to the skin, 70% or more will do. Below that will also work, you just have to play the soaking game a little longer.

There are two approaches to consider.

Method 1

Let’s start with the easier method. Take some acetone in a container and dip your acrylic nails in it for approximately half an hour. Warm acetone is more effective, so you may place a heating pad or a hot bottle underneath. But whatever you do please do not use any other heating method. 

After some time, you will see the acrylic softening and melting. That’s your sign to take out your hands. 

Method 2

If you are cool as a cucumber and do not mind going the extra way, take this option. You will be rewarded with less skin damage.

Take some organic cotton balls and dip them generously in acetone. Then apply them to your nails. Wrap tin foils over each individual acrylic nail to lock the effectiveness inside. It may constantly loosen up but then that is the frustrating bit I was hinting at. 

Tolerate it for 30 minutes or slightly more and you are done.

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Buff Your Nail

Now, it’s time to buff your ugly-looking nails. Take a nail buffer or a cuticle pusher and polish off your nails. Begin from the cuticle and gently move forward. If you have done the soaking part correctly, this should not prove to be much of a hassle for you. 

Moisturize Your Nails

Your nails will be begging for some moisture at this moment so quench their thirst with some cuticle oil. If you are still not satisfied, apply any rich hand cream and make sure it does not go away anytime soon. Meaning, give your hands a rest.

Quick Tip! I would advise you to take a break in between before flaunting acrylic nails next time. And, don’t forget to thank me later for healthier-looking nails.