How to Soak Off Acrylic Nails
How to Soak Off Acrylic Nails at Home: Learn How to Soak Off Acrylic Nails By Yourself!
Nail Care
Acrylic nails are loved for many reasons but people opt more for them because of their excellent durability. The big problem with acrylic is that it won't come off easily like regular plastic nails. Unlike plastic nails, if you try to pull off acrylic nails with force, you may hurt yourself badly. Many people make the mistake of popping off a stubborn nail and end up damaging their natural nails.
Luckily there are safer and gentler ways to take off your acrylic nails that help to protect your nails. The fastest and obvious way is to go to a nail salon but if you’re not up for that, that’s okay. You can take matters into your own hands and you only need a few supplies and a little patience. Continue reading how to soak off your acrylic nails after they’ve grown out.
Tools you’ll need:
You have to ensure that you maintain the health of your natural nails when removing acrylic nails. The goal of the soak-off method is not to melt the acrylic from your nails. To do this, you'll need;
● Nail File – You must select a good file (one with a coarse grit will do). As you’re doing this, you can also grab your nail buff, clippers & orange stick along.
● Acetone – an essential ingredient for soaking off acrylic nails. Acetone polish removers are more powerful than regular nail polish removers. You can purchase one from beauty shops around you.
● Cotton Balls – you need something that can absorb liquid and hold the acetone. Lint-free wipes will also do if you don't have cotton balls.
● Aluminum Foil – you’ll need about ten rectangular sheets of foil paper large enough to go round your nails.
● Bowl – You need a small to medium container that you can place all your fingers in.
Prepping is very important when you're doing any DIY project. Acrylic nail remover takes time and you don't want to rush through the station. So the first step is to prepare a worksite and arrange all your supplies in place. You can put on your favorite show or music to make the process more comfortable.
Step Two – Clip Off Your Nails
When you’re soaking off your acrylic nails, you want to ensure that the acetone reaches the base of the nail. So if you’re wearing long nails, you can just cut the extra length off to make the remaining steps easier. You can use a nail clipper or scissors to clip off your nails and if you’re wearing short nails then there’s no need for this step.
Step Three – File Down The First Layer of the polish
You need to properly file down your nails to remove the first layer of the polish to allow the acetone to penetrate. First, go in with a coarse file until the nail polish starts to thin out. Then, you can use a fine file to wear out the remaining polish. If you have an electrical fire, it'll help you save time and quicken this step.
Patience is key for this step and you need to ensure you file perpendicularly in long, gentle strokes according to Jin Soon Choi, an editorial manicurist. Also, don’t be tempted to bite the acrylic off as they’re full of toxic chemicals that are harmful to your body.
Step Four – Soak Nails in Acetone
You can soak off your acrylic nails with or without foil. Pour your 100% acetone into a small bowl and place your fingers in the solvent. You have to make sure the acetone covers your fingers completely so that the acetone will soften the acrylic. Make sure you heat the acetone with warm water to quicken the removal process.
Another option is the foil method which is typically used to soak off gel polish or dip powder. Here you still manage to soak your nails off with acetone and limit any damage to your skin. All you need to do is soak the cotton balls or pads into the acetone and place them on your nails. Then, use the foil sheets to seal the cotton ball around your nails.
Wait for at least 30 minutes before you remove the foil cover. Once the acrylic nail has dissolved, you can use a buff or an orange stick to remove the remaining flakes on your nails. If the flakes are stubborn and won’t come off easily, then you can dip your nail in acetone directly to remove the acrylic.
Step Five – Moisturize Your Nails
After you’ve removed the acrylic, you need to hydrate your nails to restore the shine. Your nails need a lot of moisture especially after they have been soaked in acetone. You can use cuticle oil or a hand mask to treat your nails. You can also use your normal hand cream if you don’t have time for a full manicure treatment.
Well, there are alternative tools to acetone that you can use to remove your acrylic nails. You can try soaking off your nails with warm water and soap, cuticle oil, or rubbing alcohol. However, many nail techs don't recommend these alternatives so it's best to stick with acetone for your acrylic removal.
A few last words
Acrylic Nails are very useful and they are also long-lasting. But when your nails start to look worn out, you know it’s time to take them off. The only problem is how? You can book an appointment with your nail salon to remove your acrylic nails without stress. However, if you want to save yourself from the extra costs you can remove your acrylic nails with these quick and easy steps above.
Luckily there are safer and gentler ways to take off your acrylic nails that help to protect your nails. The fastest and obvious way is to go to a nail salon but if you’re not up for that, that’s okay. You can take matters into your own hands and you only need a few supplies and a little patience. Continue reading how to soak off your acrylic nails after they’ve grown out.
Tools you’ll need:
You have to ensure that you maintain the health of your natural nails when removing acrylic nails. The goal of the soak-off method is not to melt the acrylic from your nails. To do this, you'll need;
● Nail File – You must select a good file (one with a coarse grit will do). As you’re doing this, you can also grab your nail buff, clippers & orange stick along.
● Acetone – an essential ingredient for soaking off acrylic nails. Acetone polish removers are more powerful than regular nail polish removers. You can purchase one from beauty shops around you.
● Cotton Balls – you need something that can absorb liquid and hold the acetone. Lint-free wipes will also do if you don't have cotton balls.
● Aluminum Foil – you’ll need about ten rectangular sheets of foil paper large enough to go round your nails.
● Bowl – You need a small to medium container that you can place all your fingers in.
Steps To Soak Off Your Acrylic Nails
Step One – Prepare your workstationPrepping is very important when you're doing any DIY project. Acrylic nail remover takes time and you don't want to rush through the station. So the first step is to prepare a worksite and arrange all your supplies in place. You can put on your favorite show or music to make the process more comfortable.
Step Two – Clip Off Your Nails
When you’re soaking off your acrylic nails, you want to ensure that the acetone reaches the base of the nail. So if you’re wearing long nails, you can just cut the extra length off to make the remaining steps easier. You can use a nail clipper or scissors to clip off your nails and if you’re wearing short nails then there’s no need for this step.
Step Three – File Down The First Layer of the polish
You need to properly file down your nails to remove the first layer of the polish to allow the acetone to penetrate. First, go in with a coarse file until the nail polish starts to thin out. Then, you can use a fine file to wear out the remaining polish. If you have an electrical fire, it'll help you save time and quicken this step.
Patience is key for this step and you need to ensure you file perpendicularly in long, gentle strokes according to Jin Soon Choi, an editorial manicurist. Also, don’t be tempted to bite the acrylic off as they’re full of toxic chemicals that are harmful to your body.
Step Four – Soak Nails in Acetone
You can soak off your acrylic nails with or without foil. Pour your 100% acetone into a small bowl and place your fingers in the solvent. You have to make sure the acetone covers your fingers completely so that the acetone will soften the acrylic. Make sure you heat the acetone with warm water to quicken the removal process.
Another option is the foil method which is typically used to soak off gel polish or dip powder. Here you still manage to soak your nails off with acetone and limit any damage to your skin. All you need to do is soak the cotton balls or pads into the acetone and place them on your nails. Then, use the foil sheets to seal the cotton ball around your nails.
Wait for at least 30 minutes before you remove the foil cover. Once the acrylic nail has dissolved, you can use a buff or an orange stick to remove the remaining flakes on your nails. If the flakes are stubborn and won’t come off easily, then you can dip your nail in acetone directly to remove the acrylic.
Step Five – Moisturize Your Nails
After you’ve removed the acrylic, you need to hydrate your nails to restore the shine. Your nails need a lot of moisture especially after they have been soaked in acetone. You can use cuticle oil or a hand mask to treat your nails. You can also use your normal hand cream if you don’t have time for a full manicure treatment.
How To Soak Off Acrylic Nails Without Acetone
The fastest and most effective way to remove acrylic nails is with acetone. However, 100% pure acetone or acetone nail polish remover includes harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your skin and nails. So many people wonder if it is possible to soak off acrylic nails without acetone.Well, there are alternative tools to acetone that you can use to remove your acrylic nails. You can try soaking off your nails with warm water and soap, cuticle oil, or rubbing alcohol. However, many nail techs don't recommend these alternatives so it's best to stick with acetone for your acrylic removal.
A few last words
Acrylic Nails are very useful and they are also long-lasting. But when your nails start to look worn out, you know it’s time to take them off. The only problem is how? You can book an appointment with your nail salon to remove your acrylic nails without stress. However, if you want to save yourself from the extra costs you can remove your acrylic nails with these quick and easy steps above.
Related Articles in Nail Care
