Removing your natural acrylic nails at home can be daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. But with the right tools and a little bit of patience, you can safely remove your trending red French tip acrylic nails without damaging your natural nails. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn How to Take Off Acrylic Nails At Home!
Get Your Manicure Kit
Before you start, make sure to gather all the supplies you need for the job. You’ll need nail clippers, cuticle clipper, cuticle pusher, nail file and buffer, cotton balls, acetone-based nail polish remover, tinfoil or acetone-resistant pads, paper towels (or muslin cloths), and a light moisturizing cream. All these supplies should be within reach during your nail session.
Soak Your Nails in Acetone
Soaking your nails is a common method to remove acrylic nails, gel nails, and nail polish. The soaking process softens the products, making them easier to remove without damaging the natural nails.
Soaking is a preferred method for removing nail products because it is less harsh than scraping or filing the nails. If you attempt to remove acrylic or gel nails without soaking them first, you may end up damaging your natural nails and causing pain or discomfort. Similarly, if you attempt to remove acrylic nails without soaking your nails, it can be time-consuming and difficult to remove all the long acrylic nails.
When soaking your nails, it’s important to use a proper technique to avoid any damage or irritation to your skin and nails. Be sure to use a non-acetone nail polish remover if you are only removing regular nail polish, as acetone can be very drying to the nails and skin. For acrylic nails or gel nails, using pure acetone is usually necessary to dissolve the products. It’s also important to moisturize your nails and skin after soaking, as the acetone can be very drying.
How to soak off acrylic nails
To soak off acrylic nails, you will need the following materials:
- Acetone
- Aluminum foil
- Cotton balls
- Nail buffer or file
- Cuticle oil
Here are the steps to soak off acrylic nails:
- Use a nail buffer or file to remove the shiny top coat of the acrylic nails. This will help the acetone penetrate and break down the acrylic faster.
- Soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it on top of the acrylic nail.
- Wrap the fingertip with aluminum foil, securing the cotton ball in place.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 on all nails.
- Wait for 15-20 minutes to allow the acetone to dissolve the acrylic. You may want to check after 10 minutes to see how the acrylic is doing.
- Remove the aluminum foil and cotton balls. The acrylic should have softened and lifted away from the natural nail.
- Use a cuticle pusher or orange stick to gently scrape away any remaining acrylic.
- Buff and file your nails to smooth out any roughness.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and apply cuticle oil to your nails to rehydrate them.
It’s important to note that soaking off acrylic nails can be damaging to your natural nails. It’s best to give your nails a break from acrylics sometimes to allow them to recover.
Use a Cuticle Stick to Push Back Cuticles
After the acrylic has softened, use a metal cuticle stick or orange wood stick to gently push down on the edges of the nail where it meets your natural nail. This breaks the seal between your natural nails and acrylics and lets you remove them easier. Keep pushing until you can feel that the bonded artificial nail has come free and is no longer attached.
Clip and File Off the Acrylic
The next step is to clip and file off as much of the acrylic as you can. To do this, take a pair of nail clippers and start at the edge of your nails, clipping small pieces of acrylic away. After each cut, use a nail file to gently smooth out any rough or sharp bits still left on your nails. You’ll want to make sure that all the acrylics are removed before moving on to the next step in order to ensure that all the product is gone and won’t cause any damage going forward.
Buff Residual Acrylic
Once you’ve removed most of the acrylic with your nail clippers, it’s time to use a buffer block or pumice stone to buff away any leftover product in the nail bed. To do this, gently rub the buffer block across your nail bed until all remaining bits of acrylic have been sanded away. Make sure not to press too hard, as this could damage and weaken your real nails. When finished, wash and dry your hands and remove any extra dust particles from your nails with a towel.
FAQ
How long do acrylic nails last?
Acrylic nails typically last for around two to three weeks, but this can vary depending on factors such as how fast your nails grow, how well you take care of them, and the quality of the application.
How much do acrylic nails cost?
On average, a full set of acrylic nails can cost between $35 to $60, while a fill-in (when the acrylic is filled in at the base as your nails grow out) can cost between $20 to $40. However, in some high-end salons, the cost can be as high as $100 for a full set and $60 for a fill-in.
Can you remove acrylics with hot water?
No, hot water alone is not an effective method for removing acrylic nails. Acrylic nails are made of a mixture of liquid and powder that hardens when exposed to air. This means that they cannot be removed with water alone, even if the water is hot.
