Isla Bennett
Shellac and acrylic nails can be difficult and time-consuming to remove. However, there are ways to do it at home without damaging the nails. The process involves clipping, filing, buffing, and soaking nails in acetone. It is important to note that acetone can melt the structure of acrylic nails, so non-acetone-based nail polish removers are recommended. After removing shellac or acrylic nails, it is important to rehydrate the nails and cuticles with cuticle oil.
Removing Shellac from Acrylic Nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Acetone, cotton balls/wool, tinfoil, nail file, cuticle oil, hand lotion |
| First Step | File the polish to remove the shiny coating |
| Soaking | Soak cotton balls in acetone and place on nails, then wrap in tinfoil |
| Soak Time | Leave for 10-20 minutes |
| Removal | Scrape off softened polish with a nail file or wooden stick |
| Aftercare | Wash hands with soap and water, apply cuticle oil and hand lotion |
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What You'll Learn
Use a non-acetone-based nail polish remover
If you want to remove shellac from your acrylic nails, one option is to use a non-acetone-based nail polish remover. While acetone is typically quite efficient at removing nail polish, it can be too harsh and damaging on acrylic nails.
There are several non-acetone-based methods to remove shellac from acrylic nails. One option is to use rubbing alcohol, which can be applied to a cotton ball or pad and placed on your nail for about 10 seconds. Gently rub the cotton pad back and forth, and the nail polish should come off. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser or perfume can also be used, although you may need to use more of these products due to their lower alcohol content.
Another option is to use a mixture of orange juice and vinegar. Combine equal amounts of each ingredient and mix thoroughly. Then, dip a cotton ball or pad into the mixture and press it onto your fingernails for about 10 seconds until the nail polish softens. You can also use hairspray, which is particularly useful if you've spilled nail polish on surfaces like carpets or fabrics. Simply saturate a cotton ball or pad with hairspray and wrap it around your nail, letting it sit before rubbing the nail with the cotton pad and washing away any residue.
Additionally, toothpaste can be used to remove shellac from acrylic nails. Rub some basic white toothpaste onto your nails, then sprinkle baking soda on top. Continue to rub the mixture into your nails before wiping it off with a damp cotton ball or cloth. The key ingredient here is solvent ethyl acetate, which can be found in some toothpastes and polish removers.
It's important to note that while these non-acetone-based methods are effective, they may require more time and patience compared to acetone-based removers.
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File the polish to remove the shiny coating
Filing the polish off your nails is a good way to remove the shiny coating of shellac from acrylic nails. However, it is important to be careful not to file down to the natural nail, as this can cause damage. Instead, you should use a medium-grit file to buff the surface of the nails until the shine has gone. This will allow acetone to penetrate the gel polish.
The filing method can be done at home, but it might not be for everyone. Salon drills can be intimidating, and it is easy to accidentally file away more acrylic than intended.
If you are comfortable manoeuvring an at-home drill, you can file the gel polish off with swift strokes in one direction at a time. Keep moving the file around your nail and focusing on different areas until the gel polish is removed. Repeat this process for each finger.
If you do not have a drill, you can use a nail file to score or file the top of the gel polish to break the seal. Then, saturate a piece of cotton wool or a cotton pad with acetone or remover and place it on top of the gel nail. Wrap the nail and cotton in tin foil, ensuring that the shiny side of the foil is on the inside. This helps retain heat to accelerate the removal process. Make sure that the foil is tightly wrapped, as any air that gets into the wrap will evaporate the acetone and dry it out.
Now, be patient! Wait 15 minutes before removing the foil. If you take it off too soon, the gel will not have had enough time to soak.
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Soak nails in hot water
Soaking your nails in hot water is a great way to remove shellac from acrylic nails. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, if you have long acrylic nails, trim them down to your natural nail length. If you only have shellac on your nails, you can skip this step. Next, use a nail file to buff the surface of your nails. This will create a rough texture, allowing the acetone to penetrate the polish more effectively.
Now, it's time to prepare the hot water soak. Get two bowls, one slightly larger than the other. Fill the larger bowl with hot water and place a small piece of paper towel at the bottom of the smaller bowl. Pour acetone onto the paper towel, ensuring it is soaked but not diluted. Place the smaller bowl into the larger one, being careful not to spill the hot water or acetone.
With your setup ready, it's time to soak your nails. Curl your hand into a fist and place your fingers into the small bowl, ensuring your nails are in contact with the acetone-soaked paper towel. Keep your nails soaked for around 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, you can gently rub your nails on the paper towel to help remove the shellac.
After soaking, you should be able to easily scrape off any remaining gel nail polish with a metal nail file or wooden stick. Be gentle during this process to avoid damaging your natural nails or skin. Once all the shellac is removed, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to get rid of any acetone residue.
Finally, don't forget to moisturise your nails and cuticles! Apply cuticle oil to rehydrate and nourish your nails, promoting healthy nail growth. You can also use hand lotion to keep your skin soft and supple.
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Use a metal nail file or wooden stick to scrape off the polish
If you want to remove shellac from acrylic nails, one method you can try is using a metal nail file or wooden stick to scrape off the polish. This method is effective but can be tedious and time-consuming. Here's how you can do it:
First, prepare a non-acetone-based nail polish remover. Acetone can melt the structure of acrylic nails, so it's important to avoid using it. Instead, opt for a non-acetone-based remover, which is readily available at most drugstores or beauty supply stores. You will also need a metal nail file or a wooden stick for this process.
Next, you'll want to soak your nails in the non-acetone-based remover. One way to do this is by using a double boiler. Pour hot water into a larger bowl and place a smaller bowl containing the nail polish remover inside it. Soak your fingers in the smaller bowl for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to use water that is too hot, as you don't want to burn your skin.
Alternatively, you can soak cotton balls or cotton pads in the non-acetone-based remover and place them on top of your nails. Then, wrap each finger with a small square of tinfoil to keep the cotton in place. Leave this on for 10-20 minutes. This method may be more cumbersome, but it allows you to move around more freely while your nails are soaking.
After soaking, you should be able to easily scrape off the gel nail polish using your metal nail file or wooden stick. Gently scrape away the softened polish, being careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging the acrylic nails underneath. You may need to repeat the soaking step if there is any remaining polish.
Once all the shellac is removed, rinse your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Don't forget to apply cuticle oil to rehydrate your nails and cuticles, as the removal process can be drying.
While this method is effective, it may not be for everyone. It can be a slow process, and you need to be cautious to avoid damaging your natural nails or the acrylic underneath. Always be gentle and take your time to ensure a safe and effective removal process.
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Moisturise and use cuticle oil
Moisturising and using cuticle oil is an important step in the process of removing shellac from acrylic nails. Acetone, which is used to remove shellac, is very drying on the skin. Therefore, it is important to apply cuticle oil to the cuticles and the surrounding skin to prevent the acetone from drying them out.
After removing the shellac, you can use a nail buffer to smooth the surface of your nails and then file them to your desired length and shape. Finally, wash your hands and apply hand cream and cuticle oil. Cuticle oil will help to rehydrate the skin and keep your nails and the surrounding skin hydrated and healthy.
If you are removing shellac at a nail salon, confirm that the salon has suitable removers designed explicitly for shellac nails. Most salons use acetone with a 60% concentration or more, which can be harsh and lead to dry skin and damaged nail beds if your manicurist does not thoroughly moisturise your hands.
Additionally, if you are removing shellac nails at home, be careful not to soak your fingers in liquid that is too hot, as this can be uncomfortable and potentially harmful.
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