Let’s start by saying that the best way to remove acrylic nails is by going to a nail technician. But if you can’t go to the salon for some reason and need to remove your acrylic nails quickly, we can help you do it at home. We have a guide on how to remove acrylic nails using acetone, dental floss, and an electric nail file. So grab some nail clippers and a file because today, you’ll be doing your own nails.

Things You Should Know

• Cut your nails, soak them in acetone, and wrap them in cotton balls and foil. After 30 minutes, gently remove them.
• First, wiggle the nail base with a pick to loosen it. Then, slide dental floss between the acrylic and natural nails until the acrylic nail comes off.
• Use an electric nail tool to remove the polish, color, and acrylic nails. Then, use a hand file to finish the job.
• Apply argan oil, cuticle cream, and moisturizer to keep your nails healthy after removing acrylics.

Method1: Acetone

1.Use nail clippers to cut the tips of your acrylic nails short. Cut off as much acrylic as possible to make the rest of the process easier. If the nails are thick, trim them with a rough nail file. Be careful not to cut your nail bed.

2.Remove the topcoat and nail polish from your nails. Use a buffer or nail file to take off as much as you can. File in one direction until the product is gone or the shiny layer becomes matte.

• Cutting your nails will make removing the acrylics easier for the acetone.
• Depending on the size of your nails and the amount of product on them, this might take a while, so be patient and keep trying.
• Be careful not to scratch or harm your real nail while you do this.

3. Put ten cotton balls in acetone. Put acetone in a bowl halfway. Put the cotton balls in the acetone until they are completely wet.

• Acetone can easily catch fire and has strong-smelling fumes. Be sure to have good airflow in the room and keep the acetone away from heat or fire.

4.Cut ten 5-inch by 5-inch squares of foil. While the cotton balls soak, cut out ten squares of tinfoil. Make sure each square is big enough to wrap around your finger completely. They don’t need to be perfect!

5.Put petroleum jelly on the skin around your nails. Acetone can be tough on the skin, so keeping your fingers safe is important. Put a lot of petroleum jelly on your fingertips and around your nails – even up to the first knuckle if you want to be extra careful. Just make sure you don’t get any on your nails, as it might make it harder to remove the polish.

• Use a wooden stick with cotton on the end to help accurately put the petroleum jelly on.

6. Attach the cotton balls to your fingers using tin foil. Put a cotton ball in the middle of a tin foil square, then put it on top of a nail, with the cotton ball touching the nail. Wrap the tin foil around your nail to keep the cotton ball in place. Do this for each nail.

• If you don’t have aluminum foil, you can hold the cotton balls together with tape that is not made of plastic. Acetone will make plastic tape disappear!
• If your skin doesn’t irritate, you can also soak your nails in acetone for 30 minutes.

7. After 30 minutes, remove the foil from your nails. Open the foil and carefully remove the cotton ball and acrylic from your natural nail. The acetone helps loosen the acrylic, making it easy to remove.

• If you put your acrylic nails in acetone and let them soak, carefully use an orange stick to remove the nails.
• If the fake nails are still stuck, soak them for another 20 minutes and then remove them again.

8. Remove any remaining acrylic and shape your nails using a nail file. The acrylic will be easier to work with after soaking in acetone, so use this time to carefully remove any leftover residue. Trim any sharp edges with nail clippers and file them to a rounded shape. Finally, gently buff your nails with a nail buffer for a smooth finish.

• If the acrylic starts to harden while you’re buffing, use a cotton ball soaked in acetone to make it wet.
• To keep your nails healthy, file in one direction and don’t go back and forth.
• The acrylic may have removed the top layers of your nails. Be gentle when buffing and filing to avoid tearing or damaging them further.

9. Wash your hands and put lotion on to make them less dry. Acetone can dry your skin, so add some moisture back to your fingers. Use warm water and gentle hand soap to wash your hands. Dry them and then put on body oil or lotion. Massage the lotion into your nails, cuticles, and skin to keep them hydrated and help them heal from the acrylics.

Method2. Dental Floss Pick

1.Lift the acrylic nail from the bottom using a floss pick. Gently raise the edge of the nail near your cuticle with the pick. Slide the pick between the acrylic nail and your real nail to remove as much of the acrylic nail as you can.

• When you remove acrylic nails without using acetone, be gentle and take your time. This can help prevent damage to your nails.
• Soak your nails in acetone to make removing them easier with dental floss.

2.Slide the floss under the edge of the nail until it comes off. Use the floss pick to move the floss back and forth gently. Apply a little pressure away from your cuticle to help the floss slide under the nail. Keep doing this until the nail comes off, and do the same for all your nails.

• Use a different finger to keep the nail steady while you floss it.
• You can use regular floss too, but you might need someone to help.

3. Polish your nails and add Argan oil to make them healthier. Use a buffer to smooth out your nails and remove any leftover acrylic. Next, apply Argan oil, cuticle cream, or lotion to help your nails grow stronger.

Method3. Electric Nail Filer

1.Cut the acrylic nails short using a nail clipper. Cut close to your natural nail and work your way across until the tip is removed.

• Fake nails will often break off right away when you try to cut them with nail clippers.

2.Use an electric nail filer to remove the top coat and polish. Set the filer to about 12,000 rotations per minute. Gently move the filer along the nail, starting from the base. Sand away the polish or color on the nail surface. Repeat this process to follow the shape of the nail.

• Move the file towards you instead of moving it back and forth on the nail.

3.Use quick, gentle movements to remove the acrylic. File the acrylic nail first, then switch to a brush-like motion to remove more. Slow down when you see the natural nail, and keep removing the acrylic.

• When the nail is thin enough, cut off the extra acrylic from the end of the nail.
• If you feel uneasy using the electric filer, you can use acetone to soak off the remaining acrylic on your nails. It will be easier since most of the acrylic is already removed.

4.Use a hand tool to take off the rest of the acrylic. After most of the acrylic is gone, put away the electric tool and use a manual one instead. Move it quickly back and forth on the whole nail until all the acrylic is gone and your natural nail is showing.

5.Clean and hydrate your hands.Use lukewarm water and mild soap to clean off dirt and stains.Dry your hands completely, then use body, argan, or lotion to keep your skin soft and moisturized. Massage the moisturizer into your nails, cuticles, and skin to keep them from drying out.

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