Ava Monroe
Acrylic nails are a fun way to experiment with length and style, but the removal process can be daunting. The biggest issue with acrylic nails is that they can leave your natural nails thin, brittle, and weak, which can lead to dryness and breakage. To smooth nails after acrylic removal, it is recommended to use a nail buffer to buff out and smooth any ridges or uneven surfaces. Additionally, cut your nails short to prevent further breakage and allow them to grow stronger. It is also important to keep your nails and cuticles hydrated with cuticle oil and hand cream.
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What You'll Learn
File and buff nails
Filing and buffing your nails is an important step in smoothing and restoring them after acrylic removal. Filing helps to minimise breakage by reducing the length of your nails. It is recommended to file your nails regularly, about every other day, to keep them short and prevent them from breaking.
When filing, it is important to use a gentle, one-directional approach, rather than the back-and-forth motion commonly seen in movies. Begin at the corners of your nails and gently file towards the centre using a glass file or a crystal nail file, as these are safer and gentler on your nails.
Buffing is the next crucial step to smooth out any ridges or rough spots left behind from the acrylics. A three- or four-way buffer can be used to gently slough off flakes and allow for hydration and nutrients to reach your nail bed. Follow the labelled steps for filing, buffing, smoothing, and adding shine. Use the buff, smooth, and shine sides of the buffer while your nails are still brittle from the acrylic removal. Once your nails have regained their strength, you can use the file side for weekly maintenance.
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Use a nail hardener
Using a nail hardener is an effective way to smooth and strengthen your nails after removing acrylics. This is because the process of applying and removing acrylic nails can leave your natural nails feeling weak, thin, brittle, and soft.
Celebrity nail technician Sunshine recommends using Rejuvacote from Duri as a nail hardener. Apply it every day for two weeks, and you can even use it as a base for your nail polish. After a couple of months, you can reduce the application to once a week.
Scout Active Beauty's Dual Base & Top Coat is another product that helps to smooth the nail's ridged surface and prevent peeling. It contains Pro-Vitamin B5 and a natural nail hardener, celery seed, which helps to eliminate discolouration and protect the nails.
You can also use Ella + Mila's First Aid Kiss nail strengthener, which is vitamin-enriched and free from nasty chemicals.
In addition to using a nail hardener, it's important to keep your nails hydrated. Apply cuticle oil daily to nourish and moisturize your nails and cuticles. You can also use hand creams containing oils to restore moisture.
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Moisturise with cuticle oil
After removing acrylic nails, your natural nails may feel weak and brittle. To repair and strengthen them, it is important to moisturize your nails and cuticles with cuticle oil. Cuticle oil helps to nourish and hydrate your nails, promoting healthy nail growth. It is recommended to apply cuticle oil daily, especially after using acetone to remove acrylics, as acetone can be very drying and weaken your nails further.
There are various types of cuticle oils available, some of which contain vitamins and natural ingredients that benefit nail health. For example, cuticle oils containing camellia seed oil provide nourishment and hydration to the skin and cuticles, ensuring that your nails grow out healthy and strong. Broccoli seed extract, which is rich in vitamins A, B, K, and E, is another potent ingredient that can be found in cuticle oils, delivering essential nutrients to your nails and boosting their resiliency against chips and scratches.
In addition to using cuticle oil, it is also beneficial to use hand soaps that contain oils. This helps to keep your hands and nails moisturized, especially if you are regularly washing your hands.
By regularly moisturizing your nails and cuticles with cuticle oil, you can promote nail strength and health, aiding in the recovery process after removing acrylic nails.
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Avoid acetone-based products
Acetone is a colourless solvent that can dissolve or break down other materials. It is a common ingredient in nail polish removers, paint removers, and varnish removers. While acetone is effective in removing nail polish, it can also strip your nails and skin of natural, healthy oils, leading to dehydration and irritation.
Acetone-based nail polish removers can cause your cuticles to crack, bleed, and become susceptible to infection. It can also lead to brittle nails that break, crack, and peel easily. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid acetone-based products and opt for cleaner and healthier alternatives.
There are several alternatives to acetone-based nail polish removers that are less damaging to your nails and skin. You can use alcohol-based solutions like isopropyl, also known as rubbing alcohol. Although it may be somewhat abrasive to the skin, it is still considered less damaging to nails than acetone. If you don't have pure isopropyl on hand, you can use other household items like spray-on deodorant, hair spray, or hand sanitizer.
Another alternative is to use hydrogen peroxide. Mix two cups of hydrogen peroxide with hot water, soak your hands for about ten minutes, and then lightly rub the nails to loosen the coating. You can also opt for natural, non-acetone nail polish removers that contain nourishing ingredients like Abyssinian oil, which moisturizes nails, and Frankincense oil, which promotes nail growth and provides antimicrobial protection.
By avoiding acetone-based products and choosing healthier alternatives, you can protect the longevity of your skin and nails.
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Keep nails short
Keeping nails short is a good way to prevent breakage after acrylic removal. Nails are often left thin, brittle, and weak after acrylics are taken off, so it's important to give them time to restore their natural structure. After giving your nails this time, you can begin filing them to minimize breakage. Filing nails every other day is a good way to keep them short and prevent them from breaking.
It is recommended to file nails in one direction, instead of a back-and-forth motion, beginning at the corners of the nail and gently filing to the center. This can be done with a glass nail file. A three-way buffer can also be used to gently slough off flakes and allow for hydration and nutrients to flow evenly throughout the nail bed.
If your nails are chipped or flaky, they will look better short. It's also a good idea to take a look at your nutrition and supplements, as beauty comes from the inside.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a nail buffer to smooth out any ridges or rough spots left behind from the acrylics.
Avoid acetone-based products, as acetone can weaken your nails. Instead, opt for a nail strengthener or a nail hardener. Apply cuticle oil or hand cream to restore moisture and hydration.
Keep your nails short and trim them regularly to prevent breakage. File your nails in one direction instead of back and forth to minimize breakage.
Soak your nails in 100% acetone for 10-20 minutes to soften the acrylic. Use an orangewood stick or metal pusher to gently scrape off the acrylic. Buff and shape your natural nails.
