While acrylic nails might be known for their polished look and enduring durability, since they can last for weeks without chipping or peeling, they're also a nightmare to remove. Not only does acrylic nail removal require a lot more elbow grease than swiping on your reliable nail polish remover, but the entire process can be quite damaging to your natural nails.
“Acrylic nails are best known for their durability and long retention time; however, these features make them notoriously difficult to remove at home,” explains Sonia Domingues, nail artist and founder of Signet Beauty. "Improper removal can severely compromise the health of your nail plate, so it’s important to be gentle and take your time to avoid weak, flimsy nails.”
As a general rule of thumb, Domingues says it’s typically best to leave the heavy handiwork to a professional. But, whether you are traveling or have fallen victim to a broken nail, there may be times when an impromptu trip to the nail salon is not in the cards. Fortunately, with the right protocol and patience, removing acrylic nails can be fairly easy. To help, we broke down a step-by-step process and pointers for keeping your nails—acrylic and au naturel—in tip-top shape.
Step One: Remove Excess Length
The first step is to remove most of the length. "Make sure to not clip your actual nail. The best way to clip is with an acrylic nail cutter but if you don't have that, you can use large toenail clippers which typically provides more strength," says Hannah Lee, a licensed manicurist in Atlanta, Georgia. "Start clipping at one side and work your way to the other, never clipping straight on."
Step Two: Buff The Acrylic
Next, grab two nail files, a rough one for the top layer of acrylic and one with higher grit as you make your way closer to your natural nail. "Keep gently filing until the shine of the nail is gone. This may take some patience," says Lee. Just beware of buffing too much. "Over-buffing the nail to try and get the remaining pieces off can thin out and weaken the nail," she adds.
Step Three: Grab the Acetone
The next step involves, you guessed it, acetone. There are two ways to go about this, says Lee. The first involves warming a bottle of acetone under the faucet, then pouring it into a bowl and soaking your fingers for 30 minutes. But if you would prefer to have less acetone-to-skin contact, "You can also use the foil method, which is what is typically seen at salons," adds Lee. "Soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it on top of your nail, then take a piece of tin foil and wrap it around your nail and part of your finger, making sure to fold over the tip to seal in the cotton ball."
Step Four: Check Your Progress
Check your nails after 30 minutes. If enough of the acrylic has dissolved, you can gently buff away the excess with the finer grit nail file. "If there is still product that can't be buffed off, soak for five more minutes and try again," she says.
Step Five: Hydrate
Pro tip: Have a tube of L'Occitane's Strengthening Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil nearby, because "acetone is very drying" for your nails and skin. "I would start by applying it once a day, or if you notice your skin is extra dry, up the applications," says Lee.
How to Care For Your Acrylics and Nails
"To care for your acrylics, make sure to not use them as tools like when opening cans. You can also get a gel overlay to help them last longer. If you prefer, you can also use a regular top coat, and apply it every two to three days," advises Lee. "Try to avoid water, so when you are doing the dishes, make sure to wear gloves." We love the Deborah Lippmann's Strengthening Base and Top Coat. Oh, and because acrylics can weaken the natural nail over time, it's never a bad idea to add a nail strengthener to your beauty routine, too.
Meet the Experts
- Hannah Lee is a licensed manicurist based in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Sonia Domingues, nail artist and founder of Signet Beauty.
Why Trust Harper's Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
