Acrylic nails are among one the nail manicure trends. Either long or short, acrylics won everyone’s hearts. They are available in various shapes, sizes, nail arts, and other features.
But as their application can be done at home, can they be removed at home too?
Can nail polish remover remove acrylic nails? Can they be removed by using a regular polish remover?
What are the ways through which they can be removed?
If all these questions are your problem too, keep reading this article until the end.
Can Nail Polish Remover Remove Acrylic Nails?
Normal nail polish remover can be used to remove nail enamel.
They can be either acetone or non-acetone polish removers.
Removers with acetone contain diluted acetone in a particular amount, whereas non-acetone nail polish removers contain ethyl acetate or methyl ethyl ketone as one of their major components.
So, long story short, the answer to our question is a big NO!
For removing acrylic manicure, you can not use regular acetone solution, as these removers are diluted and acrylics require a part of concentrated acetone to get removed easily (100% pure acetone).
Here are a few more ways through which acrylic nails can be removed. Have a look over these:
1. Removing Acrylic Nails Using Acetone Soak
This is the most common method that is widely used in almost every nail salon.
All you need is nail clippers, a nail file, 100% pure acetone, a glass bowl, and cuticle oil.
To remove artificial nails through this process, pour the acetone into the bowl and soak your nails in it.
The plastic from the artificial nails would melt, and gel nail polish would come off.
If you have nail charms on your manicure, they will also come off and can be reused again.
For better and fast results, you may use nail clippers to lift them slightly from the end, before soaking them in acetone.
Also, since pure acetone dries out nails and nail cuticles, make sure you use hydrating cuticle oil before and after the removal process.
2. Removing Acrylic Nails With an Electric File or Nail Bit
This method requires a lot of practice and special training because if not done so, you may damage your nail plate and cuticles a lot!
But if you do this process correctly by yourself, you may end up not only saving some pennies but also learning a new skill.
What you will need is as follows:
- Electric nail file
- Aluminum foil
- cotton balls
- Acetone
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle oil
How to use these:
- Remove the top layer of the acrylics by using the electric nail file.
- Handle the electric file correctly so that you don’t damage your nails.
- Hold it at an angle of 45 degrees and then use it.
- Once the top layer is removed, soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it over your nails.
- Then cover your nails with foil. Let them rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Check whether the excess glue came off easily or not.
- If not, then repeat the soaking process for 5-10 minutes.
- If yes, then use a cuticle pusher or nail buff to scrap off the nail glue that came off.
- Apply cuticle oil to your nails and cuticles.
This is because your nail plate and surrounding skin dry out after polish removers are used on them.
3. Removing Acrylic Nails Without Acetone and Only Hot Water
Since normal polish removers cannot remove acrylic nails and acetone removal damages your nails, hot water removal is the most practiced method for acrylic manicure removal.
This can be easily done at home and is gentle on your nails.
Warm water, nail filer, and nail clipper are all that you need to remove your artificial nails through this method.
Cut your nails short and remove the excess length.
Take a bowl filled with hot water (make sure that you can easily handle the temperature of the water).
This process takes up a lot of time. You may need around 40-45 minutes, so let your nails soak and chill!
Try to keep pouring hot water so that the glue comes off easily.
After these nails are removed, apply a hydrating creme` or lotion containing vitamin E, olive oil, and argon oil.
Vitamin E, argon, and olive oil help locate the hydration in your nails and the surrounding area.
How to Remove Acrylic Nails With Nail Polish Remover?
Simple polish remover cannot be used to remove acrylics.
This is because, as stated already, acrylics are a strong composition of two chemical substances (liquid acrylic and powder acrylic).
Their removal, too, requires a strong and harsh chemical substance.
100% pure acetone is considered perfect for this process.
But a few more non-chemical methods are widely used to remove acrylics.
A few of them are already mentioned above.
Can Non-acetone Nail Polish Remover Remove Acrylic Nails?
Acetone-free polish remover can be used to remove your acrylic nails.
Pour some polish remover into a bowl, and dip your fingers in it.
Make sure you take a sufficient amount of the liquid so that acrylics can easily go down.
Let soak for 30-40 minutes. Check and repeat the process if needed.
Once you start feeling that the acrylic nails are becoming loose, pull them off your natural nails with the help of a nail clipper.
Apply cuticle oil or petroleum jelly to your surrounding skin to avoid further dryness.
Can I Use Acetone Nail Polish Remover on Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are formed after the chemical reaction between liquid acrylic (monomer) and acrylic powder (polymer).
And hence, they require a strong chemical composition to get off completely.
Acetone nail polish removers are dilute in nature.
They do not contain such a strong amount of acetone to take off the acrylic nails easily.
In short, you can not remove acrylic nails by using acetone nail enamel remover.
Can I Use 100% Acetone Nail Polish Remover to Remove Acrylic Nails?
YES!
100% pure remover can be and is widely used to remove acrylics.
15-20 minutes of acetone soak will do wonders in the removal process.
It will remove the glue off the nail bed and acrylics will dissolve in the solution.
But since it is a strong chemical substance, you may need to protect your cuticle area and nail bed from its harmful effects.
Make sure you keep these areas hydrated by either petroleum jelly or by any special oil or lotion available.
This will not only prevent dryness but will also form a protective layer over them.
Can You Remove Acrylic Nails With Regular Nail Polish Remover?
A regular nail paint remover cannot be used for the removal method of acrylics.
This is because it is a diluted solution and acrylics require a concentrated one.
Since it is a weak solvent, it may take a much longer time and may not prove to be very much effective in removing acrylics from your natural nails.
Conclusion
Following the above-mentioned methods can prove to be a time and money saver for you.
Also, we would advise you to try DIYs for removing manicures as they are pocket-friendly ideas.
Once all the acrylics are removed, give your natural nail sufficient time to breathe and regrow before you jump for another manicure.