Removing acrylic nails at home isn't always an easy task. Acrylic nails are made to really STICK after all! There are many methods of removal but some are safer than others, while other methods are easier. Unfortunately it's usually one or the other: safe or easy. You'll have to choose which method you prefer.

What are acrylic nails?

You must have come across the term, and many would be familiar with it too. Acrylic nails are fake nails that are placed on natural nails. Acrylic nails are shaped to match the natural nail and are extended to beautify your look.

These nails are made of powder and liquid monomer that creates a hard layer on your natural nails. These nails are transparent and require nail polish to give it the end look. You may go a little extra and try out the tools to give it a perfect look.

Acrylic nails look amazing when going to a party or a dinner date. However, to remove sometimes removing them may become a hassle. Many people prefer heading towards a salon for professional help for the removal of acrylic nails.

However, if you have the right things with you, there are numerous useful ways for the removal of acrylic nails at home without seeking the help of a professional. Following are some amazing ways for the removal of acrylic nails at home.

Different ways for the removal of acrylic nails at home.

There are many tried and tested methods for the removal of acrylic nails at home. Whether you have put on French manicure on your faux nails or indulged in neon colored nail polish, you can now use any of the following methods for the removal of acrylic nail powder while sitting at home. Here are 5 different methods to remove your acrylic nails.

how to remove acrylic nails at home

Removing Acrylic Nails with Acetone.

Acetone soak and aluminum foil

One of the best ways to remove acrylic nails while sitting at home is by soaking your faux nails in acetone. Salons use a similar way for the removal of acrylic nails.

Things you need:

  • nail file
  • petroleum jelly
  • nail clippers
  • cotton balls
  • aluminum foil
  • acetone nail polish remover

Method:

Cut your faux nails with a nail cutter. Make sure you cut them as short as possible. Start with filing and buffing your fashion nails at the top to take off the nail polish. Apply Vaseline on the cuticles to prepare them to soak in acetone. Soak a small piece of cotton in acetone nail polish and place it on your acrylic nail. Wrap the cotton ball with aluminum foil. Repeat the same method for each finger.

Leave it for twenty minutes. After twenty minutes, remove the aluminum foil from your fingers. Acrylic nails will start to come off. If they do not loosen up, leave the aluminum foil for some more time.

How to Remove Your Acrylic Nails Without Acetone.

Nail Clipper Method.

People who are looking for a technique that does not consist of acetone can follow these steps for the removal of acrylic nails.

Things you need:

  • Nail clippers,
  • a cuticle stick or tweezers,
  • nail polish remover without acetone
  • a bowl

Nail Clipper Instructions.

Clip your nail extensions as short as possible. Using tweezers or cuticle stick, upraise your faux nails’ edges. Fill your bowl with some non-acetone nail polish. Submerge your finger and wait for thirty minutes. Take out your hands when you feel acrylics have loosened. Use tweezers to pull them off. This process is lengthy, but it will not damage your cuticles. 

Dental Floss Method.

Another great method for the removal of acrylic nails is by using dental floss. This thin string is useful for more things other than strengthening your teeth and gums. This method may damage your natural nails, so you must use it when your acrylics have already loosened.

Things you need:

  • Cuticle stick
  • Dental floss
Dental Floss Instructions.

Using cuticle stick gently upraises your faux nails’ edges. This step would not be necessary if your acrylics have already loosened. You may need someone’s assistance for the rest of the process. Insert the dental floss underneath the acrylic nail once the edges have been lifted. Using the sawing motion, move the floss until it pops off.

Laminated Business Card Method.

This method is easier than the dental floss method. Make sure you have a laminated card that is strong enough to do the job. In addition, you do not need anyone's assistance with this method.

Things you need:

  • laminated business card or
  • any other laminated card.
  • Nail Buffer
  • Cuticle Stick
  • Cuticle Cream and Moisturizer

Business Card ​Instructions:

Use the cuticle stick to gently life the edges of the acrylic nails. Use the corner of the laminated card to pry off the edges. Slide the card gently without ripping off your natural nails. Continue sliding until the faux nail is completely removed. Repeat the method for other nails also. Clean your nails. Using a buffer, polish your natural nails. Apply cuticle cream and moisturizer to keep your fingers in good shape.

Nail Filer Method.

Although this may seem to be a tedious task since it requires more time as compared to other methods mentioned above, but it is a much-preferred method to dental floss or laminated business card. Using an electric nail file machine may make your work easier.

​Things you need:

  • Nail clipper
  • Cuticle Stick
  • Cuticle scissors
  • Nail Buffer
  • Cuticle Cream and Moisturizer

​Nail Filer Instructions:

Cut your faux nails with the help of a nail cutter. Make sure you cut them as short as possible. Start with filing and buffing your nail extension at the top until you can easily trim the acrylic nails and cut through them. Once the trimming is done, file the faux nails using a buffer. Here, you may use an electric nail file machine may make your work easier. Use the cuticle stick to gently life the edges of the acrylic nails. Using cuticle scissors under the acrylic nails, clip the nail away. Lift the edges and trim until the faux nail is completely removed. Clean your nails. Using a buffer, polish your natural nails. Apply cuticle cream and moisturizer to keep your fingers moisturized and in good shape.

remove acrylic nails with warm water

Warm Water Method.

The warm water method combines a few of the previous methods to soften the acrylic nail color for easier removal. Here are the tools you will need.

  • A bowl
  • Hot water
  • Electric nail buffer
  • Moisturizer

Warm Water Instructions.

To remove your acrylic nails with warm water, you're going to soak your nails in the water for around 10-20 minutes. You'll need to keep re-heating the water to keep it hot. This won't work if you use luke-warm water--it needs to be "hot tub" hot. After soaking your nails in the warm water, start filing them down with an electric nail buffer. The nails should be softer to the touch and easier to file away. After you've removed them, moisturize with rehydrating oils.

5 ways to remove acrylic nails with and without acetone

Methods of Acrylic Nail Removal

The aforementioned methods are very useful for the removal of acrylic nails at home. Using them will save your waiting time at the salons. It also saves you a huge amount of money that salons charge to remove faux nails! While many of these methods would work for dip nail powder as well, you can check out our additional tips on how to remove dip nail powder.

Have you tried any other methods of removal? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

April 13, 2021 — Fairy Glamor
Tags: tutorial

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ABOUT FAIRY GLAMOR

Fairy Glamor designs unique 3-in-1 dip and acrylic nail powders in Galveston, Texas. We're a 100% family owned business that was founded in 2020 and went from making handmaking powders in our spare bedroom to shipping out of a big warehouse. We believe in both quality and affordability--that's why our powders are used by both professional nail technicians and in homes. Our unique colors are hand-designed to give you gorgeous manicures that'll make your nails feel magical.