Once your nail is wrapped up, Gyimah says to give it a squeeze. "There should be a bit of acetone dripping out when you squeeze — that is how you know you have enough on the cotton ball," she says. Soak each nail for a minimum of 10 minutes to ensure the acrylic is breaking down properly. Show
If you want to take things a step further, Amy Le suggests placing a hot towel on top of your wrapped foils. "The warm acetone works faster," she says. (Just do not under any circumstances microwave acetone, as it is flammable.) You might have to repeat this step if it seems like the acrylic has not softened. Be patient! Having to wait is better than having a weak, damaged nail later on. If you don't have remover clips and are also out of foil and cotton balls (times are tough, we hear you), try this second method. Pour acetone into a small bowl and submerge your fingers. It will take about 20 to 30 minutes to break down your acrylics. "While your fingers are submerged, use your thumbs to rub the other four fingers — it helps break down the product faster," says Johnson. Much like the warm towel trick, Mytien Le advises putting a heating pad or warm bottle underneath the bowl to slightly heat the acetone. This acrylic removal method might be quicker and more effective than using a cotton ball and foil, but be warned that your skin will be parched. Still, Le prefers it to the foil method. "It does dry out your hands, but it's a lot easier, and you can always rehydrate [the skin and nails] afterward," she says. Gently Push the Acrylic Off Your Nails"As you're soaking your acrylics, you'll notice they'll start to melt and become really gooey and gross-looking," says Mytien Le. That's your cue. Take your cuticle pusher or orange stick and carefully push the acrylic off your nail, starting from the cuticle area to the free edge. "The acrylic should come off easily without using too much pressure on your nail bed," says Monserrat Rodriguez, nail artist and owner of Shears and Laque nail salon in Rancho Cucamonga, California. If it doesn't easily come off, repeat the previous step of soaking your nails in acetone. Shape, File, and Buff Your NailsAfter you've successfully removed the acrylic, Mytien Le suggests using a buffer to lightly buff the top of the nails, removing any residue and smoothing the nail. "Then, of course, wash your hands hard," she says. Hydrate Your NailsYour nails will likely feel very dry after this entire process, so rehydrating them is crucial. Apply cuticle oil to your cuticles and around the front side of your finger towards the free edge of your nail bed, says Gyimah. This will help moisturize the ara. Amy Le likes using marula oil from Drunk Elephant or The Ordinary's "B" Oil. We like the Best of Beauty-winning Naturally London Hydrating Cuticle Oil. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face OilThe Ordinary "B" OilNaturally London Hydrating Cuticle OilStrengthen and Repair Your Natural Nails"Once the acrylics are off, I like to give my nails a break for a few weeks or at least a few days," says Mytien Le. Consider taking some time away from more acrylics, gel extensions, press-ons, or even regular polish to give your nails time to breathe. Some signs that your nails might need a sabbatical, as New York City-based dermatologist Dana Stern, M.D., previously told Allure, include ridges and splits in your nail, thirsty cuticles, discoloration, peeling, and keratin granulation, which are those white patches and rough spots that may appear on the surface of your nails. Download Article A simple guide to removing acrylics without destroying your nails Download Article
Let’s get one thing out of the way: The best way to remove acrylic nails is by visiting a nail tech. That said, if you’re here, you probably can’t get into the salon for one reason or another, but those acrylic nails need to come off, STAT. And if you’re going to do it yourself, we’re going to help you do it right. We’ve put together a handy guide to removing acrylic nails with acetone, dental floss, and an electric nail filer, so you can free your fingers at home. Grab some nail clippers and a filer, because today, you’re your own nail tech. Things You Should Know
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Advertisement Things You'll NeedAbout This ArticleArticle SummaryX Before you remove your acrylic nails, cut them as short as you can with nail clippers and apply petroleum jelly to the skin around your nails. Then, saturate a cotton ball with acetone and apply it to the top of each nail. Make sure the cotton ball is completely covering your nail, then wrap each finger in aluminum foil. Let dry for 30 minutes. When you remove the foil, your acrylic nails should come right off! For help dealing with particularly stubborn nails, read the article! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 8,663,562 times. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Did this article help you?How long do I soak my nails in acetone to remove acrylic?Pour acetone into a small bowl and submerge your fingers. It will take about 20 to 30 minutes to break down your acrylics. "While your fingers are submerged, use your thumbs to rub the other four fingers — it helps break down the product faster," says Johnson.
Can you use any acetone to remove acrylic nails?Hot Tip: To achieve the best results, opt for 100 percent acetone, which will dissolve acrylic much quicker than the diluted stuff.
Can you remove acrylic nails without acetone nail polish remover?If you don't want to use harsh chemicals to remove your acrylic nails, another option is to try using warm water. You can even add a few drops of soap into the mix. You will need to soak your nails in the warm water for 20 minutes before you try to remove them.
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