If you’re looking for an easy way to remove your acrylic nails at home, look no further! I’m going to walk you through the simple steps that you can take to remove your artificial nails in the comfort of your own home.
We’ll also provide some tips and tricks to make the process a little bit easier.
So, whether you’re preparing for a big event and need to get your nails done quickly, or if you just want to take them off on your own terms, follow these steps and remove your acrylic nails in no time…
What are acrylic nails?
Acrylic nails are a type of artificial nail that is made from a mixture of liquid monomer and powder polymer.
They are usually worn to change the appearance of the natural nails, and can be found in a variety of colors and designs.
What are gel nails?
Gel nails are similar to acrylic nails, but are made from a gel that is cured under ultraviolet light.
Gel nails are also available in a variety of colors and designs, and can be worn for up to two weeks without chipping or breaking.
Similarly, there is also gel nail polish which can be applied, and the gel polish can be cured, as a layer over the top of your real nails.
There are DIY kits allowing you to apply DIY gel nails, but you can also get gel (or acrylic) nails done in a number of nail salons.
Why are acrylic and gel nails difficult to move?
The main reason why these types of nails are difficult to move is because they are bonded to the natural nail with an adhesive – it definitely needs patience.
This makes it difficult to simply peel them off without causing damage to the natural nail, and it’s recommended to head to a nail salon, with professional tools to help with the removal process, to avoid breakage of your nails.
Why are acrylic nails so damaging on the nails?
The acrylics are applied directly to the nail, and then a hardening agent is used to set them. This can cause the nail to become dry and brittle.
In addition, the acrylics can put pressure on the nail bed, which can lead to inflammation and pain.
f the acrylics are not applied properly, they can also lift the natural nail away from the nail bed. This can allow bacteria and fungus to enter, leading to infection.
For these reasons, it is important to be careful when choosing to wear acrylic nails.
Easy Acrylic Nails Removal Tips
Remove Your Acrylic Nails With Acetone + Foil
Acetone is one of the most popular methods of removal, when it comes to acrylic nails, which is used with cotton wool, and some foil. The pure acetone will help soften up the acrylic, so you don’t want to leave it on too long, and will remove your nails in no time.
Gather some aluminum foil, cotton wool and a cuticle stick (or old credit card). You can use any kind of metal or plastic scraper that works best for you if you don’t have a cuticle handy.
The key is making sure that whatever tool you choose has a thin enough edge so as not to damage your natural nails as much as possible.
Soak your nails in acetone for about 10 minutes until it starts to soften up all of the bits of acrylic on each nail bed. If there are stubborn bits of glue still left after soaking for 10 minutes.
Try using an orange stick or toothpicks dipped in acetone along with more soaking time until everything comes off easily by hand when scraped off with the edge of your tool.
Remove Your Acrylic Nails With An Electronic Nail File
One popular step in removing acrylic nails is to get an electronic nail file. This type of nail file is specially designed for removing or shaping acrylic nails and can be found at almost any beauty supply store.
They are usually shaped like a knife, with a flat end that you can use to remove excess polish from your nails and smooth out the edges after filing.
An electric nail file is typically made of steel, as this material is strong enough to withstand daily wear and tear, but not so hard that it will damage your natural nails over time.
You can use your electronic nail file to buff away the layers of acrylic or gel from the nails, until you reach your natural nails.
It’s a lengthy process, compared to the other steps, but it’s possible, and you can go slow and steady, so you don’t harm your nails.
Remove Your Acrylic Nails With Hot Water
The best way to remove acrylic nail polish is to soak your nails in hot water. It’s important to use a medium to large bowl of hot water for this because you want to be able to fit your fingers comfortably into the water.
Soak your nails for at least 10 minutes, making sure that the heat from the water does not burn you, but long enough to soften the acrylic / gel layer on the nails.
Once it has soaked long enough, use a cuticle pusher (the pointed end) and gently push back each layer of acrylics until there are no more layers left on top. Then wash off with soap and water as normal!
he key here is patience—don’t rush through any part of this process because rushing could damage your natural nails even further by causing excess stress on them while trying not only remove but repair them as well.
If the gel or acrylic isn’t coming away from the nails easily, try soaking them in hot water for longer, until the acrylic/gel does become soft enough to remove with a cuticle pusher.
Remove Your Acrylic Nails With Nail Clippers
Removing acrylic nails is easier than you think. You can do it at home, by yourself, and in less than 10 minutes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Nail clippers
- Cuticle pusher/cutter (optional)
- Nail file (optional)
- Cuticle oil
Using the nail clipper, cut the acrylic nail straight across. If you want to test out this method before going for broke, start with just one of your nails so that if something goes wrong.
Like cutting through your skin or accidentally nicking the skin on one side of the nail or another, you won’t ruin all of them.
Once you have cut off all of your acrylic nails safely, use a cuticle pusher or clippers to push back any extra pieces from around your natural nail bed.
Then use a nail file to gently file away any sharp edges left by removing all that acrylic. Finally, buffing is optional, but recommended for smooth results.
Remove Your Acrylic Nails With Baby Oil
You can remove your acrylic nails at home with baby oil. You’re going to want to apply a small amount of baby oil on a cotton ball or Q-tip and rub it into your nails.
Make sure that you get all sides of them, so the glue will come off easily. Let the nail soak in for about 10 minutes before you begin pulling it off with tweezers or other tools (a toothpick, needle, etc.).
You may have to use some force when removing the nails, but try not to tear at them too hard because this could damage your natural nail bed underneath.
If you do have any damaged areas on your natural nail bed after taking off the acrylics and soaking it in baby oil, use cuticle oil or moisturizer right away.
How To Care For Your Natural Nails After Removing Your Acrylic Nails
Use a cuticle pusher to push back your cuticles. You can use the same cuticle remover to remove dead skin around the nails, but be careful not to scrape your nails too hard, as they’ll be very soft and prone to damage after the removal process.
Cleanse your nails with a good quality nail brush and then apply some lotion on them to keep them hydrated, soft and supple when they are wet or damp from cleaning off the acetone nail polish remover or baby oil from the nails.
File away any edges that need smoothing out with an emery board, before using it as a nail buffer away any roughness from filing down your acrylics.
Remember, if you’re unable to remove the acrylic yourself, you could book an appointment with a nail artist, to have them professionally removed by a nail tech.
Be Gentle With Your Nails During Removal To Minimize Damage
Be gentle with your nails during removal to minimize damage to your natural nail. Don’t ever just yank them off.
Yanking will cause the natural nail plate to lift from the nail bed, and possibly tear or rip the free edge of your natural nail.
If this happens, you’ll want to trim back as much of the damaged part as possible so that new growth can occur in a healthy way, without being exposed directly to open air (which will lead it to get infected).
Where possible, don’t use harsh chemicals like acetone or other solvents, since they may dry out your skin and irritate it further. Instead, consider using coconut oil instead.
It is an extremely effective moisturizer that won’t damage your skin when used on wet acrylics. There are a number of acetone-free nail polish removers out there, that’ll still work effectively at removing your acrylic / gel nails.
Coconut oil may also help remove any remaining glue residue after removing fake nails – simply apply some onto each finger tip before peeling off any remaining adhesive bits left over from removing them with tweezers/nail clippers etc., then wash hands thoroughly with warm water afterwards with soap and water.
Once the nails have been removed, ensure you give them lots of TLC, applying nail strengtheners to restore your natural nails to their former glory, and without leaving you with damaged nails. Also, choose regular polish formulas while your nails recover from the removal process.
How To Use Cuticle Oil After Using Acetone To Help Damaged Nails
One of the most important steps to follow after using acetone to remove nail polish is to use cuticle oil.
Cuticle oil helps to replenish moisture and nutrients lost during the acetone process and is essential for maintaining the health of your nails.
When using cuticle oil, start by pushing back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher.
This will help the oil penetrate better and ensure that the entire nail bed is coated.
Choose an oil with natural ingredients such as jojoba oil, almond oil, or vitamin E to help nourish nails. Place two to three drops of the oil on each nail bed, then massage the oil gently into the nails and cuticles.
Let the oil sit for a few minutes before wiping away any excess with a dry cloth. Cuticle oils are convenient and easy to use, but for best results use them two to three times a week for soft, healthy-looking nails.
How To Minimize Acrylic Damage To Your Natural Nails?
Acrylic nails can be a great way to enhance the appearance of your nails, but they can also do some serious damage to them if you don’t take the proper precautions. Here are some tips on how to minimize the damage to your natural nails when wearing acrylic nails.
1. Start with healthy nails. Before applying acrylic nails, make sure your natural nails are in good shape. If they’re too brittle or weak, acrylic nails won’t adhere properly and could break easily.
2. Keep your nails trimmed and filed. Regularly trimming and filing your nails will help ensure that your acrylic nails fit properly and are not too long. Longer nails can create too much pressure on your natural nails and cause them to break or tear.
3. Use a protective base coat. Applying a thin layer of protective base coat before applying acrylic is the safest way to protect your nails from possible damage. This thin layer will act as a barrier between your natural nail and the acrylic, reducing the chance of damaging your nail bed.
4. Use lightweight acrylics. Heavier and thicker acrylics will cause more damage to your natural nails. They are also more likely to crack and break, which can be very painful. For lighter acrylics that won’t cause as much damage, look for a thinner type of acrylic mix or opt for a dip powder manicure.
5. Avoid harsh removers or acetone. When removing your acrylic nails, use a gentle remover or an acetone-free remover to minimize any damage to your natural nails. Harsh chemicals like a cotton ball with acetone, can strip away the natural oils from your nails and make them brittle, so try to avoid them if possible.
Summary
How to take off acrylic nails at home? There are a few different ways that you can remove your acrylic nails without acetone.
You can use acetone nail polish remover if you really must, but you also have the option to use baby oil, or coconut oil to help loosen the glue holding your acrylics on.
Be gentle when removing them, so you don’t damage your natural nails underneath.
Once they’re off, use a cuticle stick or orange stick to push back your cuticles and then apply some lotion or coconut oil to keep them hydrated.
You can also use a nail buffer to smooth out any rough edges. Finally, trim back any damaged parts of your natural nails with a nail clipper, so they can grow back healthy, without damage.
Avoid using harsh chemicals like acetone or other solvents on your nails during removal without acetone to minimize damage.
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Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty. In addition to Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!