Your Guide on How to Remove Acrylic Nails
For those who cannot grow long, strong nails on their own (let’s admit it, that’s most of us reading this article!) then acrylics seem to be our nail’s definite destiny.
Acrylics are wonderful while they last, but all good things do come to an end and acrylics must be removed.
Though removing acrylics is often thought to be a difficult and painful process, following the steps below will ensure an easy way to successfully fully remove your acrylic nails.
1) Choose a spot where you will be removing your acrylics and where you can stay comfortable. What ever spot you choose, be sure to protect it against the chemical agents that come with the removal of acrylics. Try covering the area with garbage bags or newspapers so that you are not damaging your tables, your couches, etc.
2) Gather your supplies and place them all within arm’s reach. This includes:
4) Fill your bowl (preferably glass) with an acetone nail polish remover and then place your fingers into the bowl.
5) The acetone nail polish remover will allow the nail glue to dissolve and the acrylic nails to come apart from your natural nails. Be sure to coat the skin surrounding your fingernails with the petroleum jelly so that the skin is kept healthy and moisturized. Try to keep your natural nails and the petroleum jellied-skin out of the acetone remover as much as possible as this will:
7) Remove your hands from the nail polish remover and try to carefully peel the acrylic nails off. Should you reach any point where removing the acrylic nail is becoming a problem, re-submerge your nails in the acetone nail polish and wait for another few minutes before attempting to remove again. Repeat the process until you are able to remove the acrylic nails.
8) Once the acrylic nails have been removed, wash your hands thoroughly to remove both the acetone nail polish remover and the petroleum jelly.
9) Should any nail glue be left behind on your nail, take your nail buffer and gently buff it off. Bear in mine that extra caution is needed at this time as your nails are particularly weak and fragile.
10) End the process by applying an extra indulgent hand cream to your hands and massage it into both your hands and nails. This will not only keep your hands moisturized, but also keep your nails strong.
2) Gather your supplies and place them all within arm’s reach. This includes:
- The aforementioned garbage bag or newspaper
- Acetone polish remover
- Nail buffer
- Nail clippers
- Petroleum jelly
- A bowl
4) Fill your bowl (preferably glass) with an acetone nail polish remover and then place your fingers into the bowl.
5) The acetone nail polish remover will allow the nail glue to dissolve and the acrylic nails to come apart from your natural nails. Be sure to coat the skin surrounding your fingernails with the petroleum jelly so that the skin is kept healthy and moisturized. Try to keep your natural nails and the petroleum jellied-skin out of the acetone remover as much as possible as this will:
- Dry out your finger nails; or
- The petroleum jelly will prevent the glue from dissolving
NOTE: Acetone nail polish removers deplete natural nails of moisturizer. It is important to follow up with a 3-part olive oil, 1 part lemon juice treatment for the next several days to restore the lost moisture. Also consider applying a nail strengthener or nail hardener.6) Get comfortable and allow your nails to soak for up to 20 minutes.
7) Remove your hands from the nail polish remover and try to carefully peel the acrylic nails off. Should you reach any point where removing the acrylic nail is becoming a problem, re-submerge your nails in the acetone nail polish and wait for another few minutes before attempting to remove again. Repeat the process until you are able to remove the acrylic nails.
8) Once the acrylic nails have been removed, wash your hands thoroughly to remove both the acetone nail polish remover and the petroleum jelly.
9) Should any nail glue be left behind on your nail, take your nail buffer and gently buff it off. Bear in mine that extra caution is needed at this time as your nails are particularly weak and fragile.
10) End the process by applying an extra indulgent hand cream to your hands and massage it into both your hands and nails. This will not only keep your hands moisturized, but also keep your nails strong.