Caleb Foster
Removing acrylic gel nails at home is not recommended, but it can be done in a pinch. It will take at least an hour of your day and lots of patience. If you have regular polish on top of your acrylics, you can remove it with acetone or nail polish remover. If you have gel polish on, use the coarse side of a nail file to file off the shiny topcoat. Then, use the coarse side of the file to get rid of most of the acrylic, leaving a thin layer to avoid damaging your natural nail. Next, soak your nails in acetone for 9–15 minutes. Finally, use an orange stick or plastic tool to gently remove any excess polish from your nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Acetone, nail file, coarse nail file (100/100), orange stick, plastic tool, cuticle oil, petroleum jelly, cotton balls, foil, cuticle nippers, soap, oil, hand sanitiser, alcohol, warm water, dish soap, salt |
| Process | File off the top coat/layer/shine, wash hands, apply oil, soak nails in acetone, scrape off excess polish, buff nails, apply cuticle oil, clip nails, apply petroleum jelly, soak cotton balls in acetone, wrap nails with foil, soak fingers in acetone, peel gel, wash hands with soap |
| Time | At least an hour |
| Difficulty | Requires patience, not recommended by experts, can be damaging to nails if done incorrectly |
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What You'll Learn
Using acetone to remove acrylic gel nails at home
Prepare the necessary tools and materials:
Firstly, gather all the tools and materials you will need. These include acetone, a nail file, cotton balls or pads, foil or a soaking bowl, a timer, and a scraping tool (optional). You can purchase acetone from your local drugstore or online. Ensure you are in a well-ventilated area due to the strong smell of acetone.
Remove any regular polish:
If you have regular nail polish on top of your acrylics, remove it with acetone or nail polish remover. This step is important as it will allow the acetone to penetrate the acrylic layer directly.
File down the acrylics:
Use a coarse nail file (100/180 grit) to buff off the top coat of your acrylics. File until the shiny layer is gone, and you start seeing the natural nail underneath. Be careful not to file too aggressively, as you could damage your natural nails. Leave a thin layer of acrylic to avoid accidental damage to your natural nails.
Soak your nails in acetone:
Pour the acetone into a small bowl, or pour some into individual cotton balls or pads. If using cotton balls/pads, wrap each nail with foil to hold them in place. Soak your nails for at least 9 minutes, or longer if needed, until the acrylics soften and become loose. The more you filed down your acrylics, the less time you will need to soak them.
Scrape off the softened acrylics:
After soaking, use a scraping tool or your nail file to gently remove the softened acrylic product. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging your natural nails.
Moisturize your hands and nails:
Finally, wash your hands and nails with warm water and soap to remove any acetone residue. Follow up with a generous application of hand and nail moisturizer to nourish your skin and nails.
Removing acrylic nails at home can be time-consuming and may take at least an hour. It is important to be patient and careful throughout the process to avoid damaging your natural nails. If you have sensitive skin or are allergic to acetone, consult a professional manicurist for safer alternatives.
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Filing down acrylic nails
Firstly, if you have regular polish on top of your acrylics, remove it with acetone or nail polish remover. If you have gel polish, use the coarse 100-grit side of your nail file to file off the shiny top coat.
Next, you will want to use the coarse side of the nail file to get rid of the bulk of the acrylic. File the sides of the acrylics that extend past your nail bed, angling the file slightly. Be sure to only file away at the free edge of the nail and not the part where the nail is attached to your natural nail, as this will weaken the nail and increase the chance of breakage. You can then file away the sharp points at the corners of your nails.
If you are aiming for a square shape, use the file on the side of your nail to create a square effect. Look down directly on top of your nail to check if the nail has been filed evenly. For a softer shape, you can file towards the centre of the end of your nail using a round motion, creating a 'squoval' shape.
Finally, use a fine-grit nail file to gently smooth out any rough spots along the surface or edges of the nail. A metal file or emery board works best for filing acrylic nails. Only move the nail file in one direction, do not use a back-and-forth motion.
If you are unsure about filing your nails, it is best to consult a professional manicurist.
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Using alcohol to remove gel nails
Removing gel nails at home is not generally recommended by manicurists. However, if you are in a pinch, it is possible to do so with the right tools and plenty of patience.
Using alcohol is considered a better alternative to acetone when removing gel nails. You can wrap a cotton ball in alcohol and continuously rub it on your nails after 10 seconds. This method is highly recommended for nail technicians who want to serve several clients in a short amount of time.
If you are removing gel nails with alcohol at home, you can follow these steps:
- Protect your cuticles: Before starting the removal process, apply cuticle oil or cream to the skin around your nails. This will create a barrier and help protect your skin from the alcohol.
- File your nails: Use a coarse nail file (100/100 grit) to buff off the top coat of your gel nails. This is important because if you don't do this, the alcohol won't be able to penetrate the gel layer. Be careful not to file too aggressively, as you could damage your natural nails.
- Apply alcohol: Dip cotton pads or balls in alcohol and wrap them around your nails. You can also use aluminium foil to hold the cotton in place.
- Remove the gel: After about 10 seconds of continuous rubbing, gently scrape off the gel using a cuticle pusher or wooden stick. If needed, soak your nails in alcohol again and then gently scrape off any remaining gel.
- Moisturize: After removing the gel nails, wash your hands and nails with mild soap and warm water. Dry your hands and apply a generous amount of hand cream or cuticle oil to moisturize your skin and nails.
It is important to note that you should never pick or peel off your gel nails, as this can damage your natural nails and cause white spots or unevenness that may take months to go away. Always take your time and be gentle when removing gel nails at home.
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Removing gel nails without acetone
There are several alternative methods to remove gel nails without acetone. One option is to use a nail file to buff off the top coat of the gel nail. This method can be time-consuming and may damage the nail, so it is important to be careful and take your time. You can use the coarse 100 grit side of your file to file off the shiny topcoat. Then, use the coarse side of the file to remove the bulk of the acrylic, leaving a thin layer of acrylic to avoid damaging your natural nail.
Other alternative methods for removing gel nails without acetone include using hand sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide, cuticle oil, or kitchen oils like olive oil. You can also try warm, soapy water or vinegar. Soak a cotton ball or swab in your chosen remover and apply it to the surface of the nail, leaving it for about 10 minutes to allow the remover to take effect.
If you are using a hot water solution, make sure the water is very hot and soapy. After removing your gel nails, it is important to rehydrate the nail and support skin health. Use cuticle oil to rehydrate the nail, and hand lotion to nourish the skin.
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Soaking nails in acetone
Soaking your nails in acetone is an effective way to remove acrylic nails at home. However, it is a harsh chemical that can cause skin irritation and damage if not used properly. It can also be very time-consuming. If you do decide to use this method, make sure you have plenty of time and patience.
Firstly, if you have regular polish on top of your acrylics, remove it with acetone or a regular nail polish remover. Then, use a coarse nail file to file off the bulk of the acrylic. This step is important because the more acrylic you file off, the less time you will need to soak your nails in acetone. However, be careful not to go too harsh with the file and leave a thin layer of acrylic to avoid damaging your natural nail.
Next, grab a bowl and fill it with acetone. Ideally, the acetone you use should be at least 70-proof or higher. Lower-grade acetone will still work, but it will require a longer soaking time. You can put the bowl containing acetone inside another bowl of hot or warm water to speed up the process. Soak a paper towel in acetone and rub your nails on it as they soak. This helps to prevent the acrylic from hardening back up when you remove your nails from the acetone.
After soaking your nails for around 40 minutes, or 9 minutes according to one source, remove your hands from the bowl. You can then use tweezers or a scraping tool to gently remove the acrylics.
Finally, it is important to note that acetone can dry out your skin and nails, so make sure to apply cuticle oil or hand cream after the process to nourish and moisturize your nails.
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Frequently asked questions
While removing acrylic nails at home is not recommended, it can be done with a nail file and acetone.
Soak cotton balls or pads in acetone and wrap them around your nails with foil. Leave for 10-15 minutes, then gently scrape off the acrylic.
Removing acrylic nails is a lengthy process that will take at least an hour of your day, so be prepared to be patient!
Gel nails are easier to remove than acrylics as they don't need to be soaked in acetone. You can simply use a nail file to remove gel nails.
If you don't want to use acetone, you can file your acrylic nails down. Trim them as short as possible, then file until you reach your natural nail bed.
