Isla Bennett
Removing fake acrylic nails can be done at home and is pretty much the same for all types of fake nails. The process takes time and involves filing, soaking, and gentle removal. It is important to take care of your natural nails after removal by hydrating and moisturising your nail bed, cuticles, and fingers with cuticle oil and hand cream.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Step | Use a coarse nail file to buff off the top coat |
| Second Step | Submerge your nails in acetone for 9 minutes |
| Third Step | Use a scraping tool to remove the product |
| Fourth Step | Use cuticle oil and moisturizer |
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What You'll Learn
File nails to remove the top layer
To remove fake acrylic nails, you must first file down the top layer of acrylic. This is done to speed up the removal process. Filing the top layer of acrylic helps the acetone to penetrate the acrylic layer and soften the fake nails.
Use a coarse nail file (100/100) to buff off the top coat. File off as much of the acrylic product as possible. This will remove any top coat, gel polish, or nail art. You need a really good file for this step; an emery board would be useless.
File the entire area that the acrylic covers, rather than just the top edge of the nail. This will help to thin out the acrylic layer.
After filing, you can then proceed with the next steps of the removal process, such as soaking your nails in acetone.
Once the acrylic nails have been removed, you can then use a file to shape your nails, gently buffing if necessary.
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Soak nails in acetone
Soaking your nails in acetone is one of the most common and easiest ways to remove acrylic nails. Also known as propanone, acetone is a powerful liquid solvent that breaks down the acrylic, allowing it to be easily lifted off the nail. However, it can be quite drying to the nails and skin, so it is important to take certain precautions when using this method.
Before soaking your nails in acetone, it is recommended to clip and file your nails to remove as much of the top layer of acrylic as possible. This helps the acetone penetrate the acrylic layer more easily and speeds up the removal process. It is important to be gentle when filing and not to file too deeply, as you risk damaging your natural nail.
To soak your nails in acetone, you can either submerge your nails directly in a bowl of acetone or apply acetone-soaked cotton balls to your nails and wrap them in foil. If you choose to submerge your nails, fill a glass bowl halfway with acetone and dip your hands into the bowl for 20 to 30 minutes. This method is faster but requires you to sit still during the process. If you choose to use cotton balls, soak 10 cotton balls in acetone and then wrap each one around your nails with foil. Leave the cotton balls and foil in place for at least 10 to 15 minutes to allow the acetone to soften the acrylic.
After soaking your nails in acetone, the acrylic should be softened and easy to remove. If you submerged your nails, gently pry them off using an orange wood stick or cuticle pusher. If you used cotton balls, gently pull the cotton ball and acrylic away from your natural nail. You may need to repeat the process if the acrylic is still firmly stuck.
It is important to note that acetone is highly flammable and can produce potent fumes. Always use 100% acetone and ensure proper ventilation during the removal process. Additionally, acetone can be very drying to the nails and skin, so it is recommended to apply cuticle oil or moisturizer after removing your acrylic nails.
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Remove product with a scraping tool
To remove fake acrylic nails with a scraping tool, you must first prepare your nails. Use a coarse nail file to buff off the top coat of your acrylic nails. This step is important because it ensures that the acetone can penetrate the acrylic layer.
Next, submerge your nails in acetone for 9 minutes. You can use a bowl filled halfway with acetone and dip your hands into it. Alternatively, you can soak cotton balls in acetone nail polish remover and wrap them around your nails with tin foil.
After soaking, use a scraping tool to gently remove the product. If the product is difficult to remove, soak your nails for a couple of more minutes. You can use an orange stick or cuticle pusher to scrape off the softened acrylic. Be careful not to force the removal, as this can damage your natural nails.
Once the acrylic is removed, you may need to buff any remaining residue from the nail plates with a fine-grit file or buffing block. It is important to be gentle and patient during the removal process to avoid damaging your natural nails.
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Moisturise nails and skin
Removing acrylic nails can be harsh on your nails and skin, so it's important to take steps to restore their health. A daily regime of hydrating hand creams and oils can significantly improve nail flexibility and prevent brittleness. This routine helps repair the nail's natural barrier, making them less prone to damage and breakage.
There are several products you can use to moisturise your nails and skin. One option is to use a hand cream, such as the Fenty Skin Hand Mask, which is a rich hand cream. You can also use cuticle oil, which is an excellent product for maintaining cuticle health. Cuticle oil keeps cuticles and nails nourished, promoting stronger natural nails. You can also apply cuticle oil before the soak-off process to speed up removal and reduce dehydration of the nail plate, which is essential in preventing brittleness. Vitamin E and aloe vera are also recommended for treating the hyponychium, the skin underneath the nail bed that attaches the nail bed to the nail.
It's important to note that keeping nails and hands hydrated is good advice for everyone, whether they have had acrylic nails or not.
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Buff nails to smoothen texture
Buffing your nails is an important step in the process of removing acrylic nails. It helps to smoothen out any ridges or rough spots, leaving your natural nails with a uniform texture.
To begin buffing, select a nail buffer or a fine-grit nail file. Buffing blocks are also available, which can be used to smoothen the surface of your nails. Move the buffer or file back and forth across the entire nail surface, ensuring you cover the entire nail. Focus your efforts on the top layer of the nail, where the acrylic product is usually applied.
It is important to buff in one direction only, not back and forth. Continue the buffing process until the surface of your nails appears slightly duller and less glossy. You will notice that the nail surface becomes less shiny and more porous as you buff, which is an indication that you are doing it correctly.
Buffing your nails is a crucial step as it helps the acetone, which is used to dissolve the acrylic product, penetrate the acrylic layer more effectively. By creating a rougher surface through buffing, you are enabling the acetone to better absorb and break down the acrylic material, making the removal process faster and more efficient.
Remember to be gentle during the buffing process and avoid applying too much pressure, as you do not want to cause any discomfort or damage to your natural nails.
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