Isla Bennett
Shellac acrylic nails can be removed at home, although it can be a challenging process. The first step is to file down the acrylics, before wrapping them in acetone to remove the gel polish. It is important to note that acetone can be damaging to nails, so it is recommended to use a removal kit such as the CND Offly Fast Removal Kit, which is formulated to reduce dehydration of nails and the surrounding skin. This kit includes cotton pads, tin foil squares, and solar oil to protect the nails.
How to Remove Shellac Acrylic Nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Removal Tools | Acetone, Drill, Nail File, Cotton Balls, Foil Paper, Wooden Stick, CND Offly Fast Removal Kit |
| Removal Process | Soak nails in acetone, file down the acrylics, wrap nails in foil, trim nails, clean the nail plate |
| Post-Removal Care | Hydrate the nail bed, add cuticle oil, massage, wash hands, apply nail polish |
| Removal Time | 5-20 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Using acetone to remove shellac acrylic nails
Acetone is a solvent commonly used in nail polish removers and cleaning products. It is also known as propane-2-one or dimethyl ketone. Acetone is a harsh chemical that can cause skin irritation or damage if not used properly. It is essential to use acetone correctly to avoid drying and damaging your skin and nails. Acetone also has a strong smell that can cause headaches for some people.
To remove shellac acrylic nails using acetone, follow these steps:
Step 1: File your nails
Use a nail file to gently buff the surface of the polish. This will roughen the surface, allowing the acetone to penetrate more deeply. If you have acrylic nails, start by clipping them down to your natural nail length before filing.
Step 2: Prepare the acetone
Soak a cotton ball or pad in acetone. You can also use a small bowl filled with acetone and a paper towel, as described in Step 3. Alternatively, some people prefer to use foil paper to wrap their fingertips, as mentioned in Step 5.
Step 3: Heat the acetone (optional)
For more effective removal, you can heat the acetone. To do this, place a small amount of hot water into a medium-sized bowl. Then, put a piece of paper towel at the bottom of a small bowl and fill it with acetone about an inch deep. Place the small bowl into the medium bowl, allowing the hot water to heat the acetone without diluting it.
Step 4: Soak your nails
If using cotton balls or pads, wrap them around your fingertips, ensuring a tight seal. If using the bowl method, place your fingers into the small bowl with your hand curled into a fist and rub your nails on the paper towel to remove the polish. Leave your nails to soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 5: Remove the polish
After soaking, gently scrape or rub off the softened polish using a cuticle pusher or wooden stick. Repeat the acetone soaking step if needed.
Step 6: Moisturize
As acetone can be drying, it is important to moisturize your nails and skin afterward. Apply cuticle oil and hand lotion to rehydrate and nourish your nails and skin.
It is important to note that acetone is not the only option for removing shellac acrylic nails. There are non-acetone removers available that are less harsh and effective in dissolving the glue on false nails without causing significant damage to the skin and nail bed. However, these alternatives may take longer to work compared to acetone.
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Removing shellac with a nail file
Start by gently filing the top layer of the shellac with your nail file. The goal is to break the seal of the top coat without filing down to the natural nail. A medium-grit file is ideal as it is effective without being too abrasive. You can use a soft nail buffer to buff the surface and remove any remaining glue, ensuring a smooth nail surface. Be cautious not to over-file your nails, as this can lead to thinning and damage.
Once you have filed the top layer, you can proceed to the next steps, which involve using acetone or nail polish remover. Cut some cotton pads or balls into quarters so that they fit neatly onto each nail. Saturate each piece of cotton with your chosen acetone or nail polish remover. It is recommended to use a remover with an acetone content of 60% or more, specifically designed for removing shellac or gel polish, as it will be less harsh on your skin and nails.
After saturating the cotton, place it on each nail and wrap it tightly with aluminium foil. This step helps the acetone penetrate the shellac and creates a warm, sealed environment. Let your nails soak for around 10 to 15 minutes, or until you notice the polish starting to flake off at the edges.
Finally, gently slide off any remaining product with a wooden stick, being careful not to scrape the natural nail plate. You can then rub your nails with a plastic-backed, lint-free pad saturated with acetone to remove any residue.
It is important to note that while filing is an essential step in removing shellac, it should be done gently and cautiously to avoid damaging your nails.
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Using CND Offly Fast Removal Kit
The CND Offly Fast Removal Kit is a safe and effective way to remove shellac, gel, and acrylic nails at home. The kit includes everything you need to safely remove your nail polish without damaging your nails or drying out your skin.
The kit contains CND Offly Fast Moisturising Remover liquid, cotton pads on tinfoil squares (enough for 20 nails), and Solar Oil. The remover liquid is specially formulated with oil to reduce dehydration of the nails and surrounding skin. It is also gentle and effective, working in harmony with CND SHELLAC.
To use the kit, apply the CND Offly Fast liquid to the cotton pad part of a CND foil remover wrap. Wrap this tightly around your nail and finger, folding the end back over the nail to retain heat. Repeat this process for all your nails, doing one hand at a time if removing the polish yourself. The removal time will depend on the Top Coat used, ranging from 5 to 15 minutes.
After the timer goes off, rub and twist to remove the wrap. Most of the product should have flaked off. Use CND Scrubfresh to remove any remaining residue. Finally, apply CND Solar Oil to nourish your nails and cuticles.
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Removing shellac without damaging nails
Removing shellac without damaging your nails is possible if done correctly. It is important to note that the following advice is specifically for removing Shellac and soft gel manicures. It does not apply to anything described as 'hard gel' or 'builder gel', which should be removed professionally.
Firstly, do not pick or peel off the shellac, as this will leave your nails weak and vulnerable to damage. Instead, you can use acetone to remove the shellac. Soak your nails in pure acetone, which will help melt off the shellac and prevent excessive scraping and peeling.
- Cut a nail-sized cotton ball and aluminium strip for each finger.
- Soak the cotton ball strips in acetone nail polish remover and place them over your nails.
- Wrap the foil strips around the tips of your fingers to hold the cotton in place.
- Wait 10 minutes, then remove the foil and wash your hands.
- You may need to wipe off the remaining nail polish with a cotton ball.
Alternatively, you can use the following method:
- File the polish to remove the glossiness.
- Soak cotton pads or cotton wool in acetone and put them over your entire nail.
- Wrap tin foil around your fingers, making sure it is completely sealed.
- Leave for 15-20 minutes, then scrape off the softened polish.
- Repeat the acetone step if needed and make sure to moisturise and use cuticle oil after to rehydrate the skin.
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Removing shellac with foil wraps
Foil wraps are a popular method for removing Shellac from acrylic nails. This method can be done at home, but it requires patience and the right tools.
Firstly, it is important to note that Shellac is a brand name for a hybrid polish-gel formula, while 'gel' refers to any soft gel manicure formula. Both are semi-permanent and should not be picked off, as this can damage the nails.
To remove Shellac with foil wraps, you will need:
- Cotton wool pads or balls
- Foil paper
- Acetone nail polish remover
- A nail file
- A wooden stick or orange stick
- Cut the cotton wool pads or balls into nail-sized pieces.
- Soak the cotton in acetone nail polish remover.
- Use a nail file to gently buff the top layer of the Shellac. This will help the acetone penetrate better.
- Wrap the soaked cotton around each nail, covering the nail plate.
- Tightly wrap each nail with foil paper to hold the cotton in place.
- Wait for at least 10-15 minutes. The acetone needs time to dissolve the Shellac. For particularly stubborn gel, you may need to wait up to 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and cotton. The gel should now appear lifted, flakey, and possibly gooey.
- Use a wooden stick or orange stick to gently push and scrape off any remaining gel.
To protect your skin, you can apply a light layer of petroleum jelly or cuticle oil around your nails before wrapping them in foil. This method can also be used to remove Shellac from the toes, although it may be easier to wrap the four smaller toes together with a long strip of foil, rather than wrapping each toe individually.
It is important to note that if you are removing hard gel or builder gel, it is recommended to seek professional removal to avoid potential damage to your nails.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to remove shellac acrylic nails is by soaking your nails in pure acetone. This helps melt off the gel/acrylic and prevents excessive scraping and peeling.
To remove shellac acrylic nails at home, you can use the CND Offly Fast Removal Kit. This kit includes everything you need to safely remove shellac gel nails at home.
The removal time depends on the type of Shellac top coat used. This can vary from 5 to 15 minutes.
