How to safely remove acrylic nails at home

When it comes to removing gel or acrylic nails, heading back to the salon is definitely the preferred method. But with new social distancing rules making this virtually impossible, here are just a few easy ways to get them off by yourself without causing significant damage to your own nail underneath.

The first thing to know is that when you remove acrylic nails, acetone will be your best friend. Acetone is a liquid based chemical that dissolves the acrylic and helps you to remove the nails without any pain. While it works for this purpose and is fairly safe to use, acetone generally shouldn’t come into contact with your skin very often so you might notice some dryness afterwards or, in rare cases, some redness.

However, there are a few methods that don’t use this chemical if it is too harsh for your skin. These methods, while still effective, will definitely take longer though, so be patient and remember you should never force a nail off and if it starts to hurt, don’t push it.

Using acetone and aluminium foil

What you’ll need

• Acetone
• Nail clippers
• Nail buffer or file
• Cotton balls or pads
• Aluminium Foil
• Vaseline or thick cream

What to do

1. Clip the acrylic nails as short as possible
2. File away the top coat, nail polish or any colour to avoid creating any mess or leaving your hands stained with colour.
3. Apply vaseline on the skin surrounding the cuticles. Now, soak the cotton pads in acetone and place it on your nails.
4. Tear a piece of aluminium foil and wrap it over the cotton pad or ball to hold it in place.
5. Wait for 25-30 minutes.
6. Pull the aluminium foil gently and the acrylic nail should come off with it. If you feel resistance, keep it wrapped for some more time.

Acetone and warm water

What you’ll need

• Acetone
• Cuticle stick
• Vaseline or thick cream
• Nail clippers
• Warm water
• Tweezers
• Two bowls

What to do

1. Clip your nails as short as possible and pry your cuticles with the cuticle stick.
2. Fill up one bowl with acetone and another one with warm water and put the bowl containing acetone inside the bowl containing warm water to gently warm it up.
3. Now, apply a generous amount of vaseline on the skin surrounding your cuticles. This will protect them from the harsh effect of acetone.
4. Now, dip your nails in the bowl containing acetone. Make sure to dip the entire length in the acetone and wait for 30-40 minutes.
5. Check if the acrylic nails have gone soft and you should be able to pull it out gently with tweezers. If you feel resistance, do not yank, just soak it in acetone for some more time.

Acetone-free nail polish remover

What you’ll need

• Acetone-free nail polish remover
• Tweezer
• Bowl
• Nail Clippers

What to do

1. Clip the acrylic nails as short as possible.
2. Pry the edges with the pointy end of the tweezer.
3. Now, pour acetone free nail polish remover in a bowl.
4. Soak the nails in the nail polish remover for at least 30-40 minutes.
5. Once you feel the nail has loosened, pull at it gently with tweezers. If it does not come off easily, soak for some more time.

Dental floss

What you’ll need

• Cuticle sticks
• Dental Floss
• A partner

What to do

1. Pry your cuticles with the orange sticks to make a little inlet.
2. Ask your partner to insert the floss through the inlet and move it in a sawing motion. Continue till the acrylic nail pops off. It may be painful so prepare yourself accordingly and take your time. Do not continue if it starts to hurt too much.