How to Take Off Acrylic Nails at Home
Having nice-looking nails can be a great accessory to any outfit. Acrylic nails are a popular manicure style that many choose to utilize. While manicures last anywhere from weeks to months, the removal process is still necessary. Taking off your acrylic nails at home can be a hassle-free and cost-saving exercise, yet it should be done with safety in mind. Keep on reading to find out how to take your acrylic nails off at home as easy and safely as possible.
Preparing to Remove Your Acrylic Nails
Before starting to remove your acrylic nails, it is important to prepare your nails and the area where you will be doing the acrylic nail removal. Here is a list of items you should prep:
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Pure Acetone: Make sure to use only real acetone as it will provide the most effective nail remover.
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Nail Clippers: You need a good pair of nail clippers to help loosen up your acrylic nails.
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Petrolatum Jelly: This will help you rehydrate your nails after the removal process.
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Cotton Balls: You need cotton around the same size as your nails.
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Foil: The foil is necessary to hold the acrylic nails while they soak in the acetone.
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Wooden Cuticle Pusher: Invest in a gentle cuticle pusher with a wooden handle to help you with the removal process.
It is wiser to avoid plastic cuticle pushers as they tend to be more likely to cause damage to your nails.
Soaking Off the Acrylic Nails
Once you have acquired all the necessary materials, it is time to start taking off the acrylic nails. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
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Soak Your Fingers in Warm Water: Soak your fingers in warm water for about 10 minutes to help softening the acrylic nails.
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Clip the Acrylic Nails: Use the nail clippers and clip off as much of the acrylic nails as you can, trying to avoid from cutting your real nails.
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Put Pieces of Cotton Balls on the Nail Beds: Place pieces of cotton balls on the nail beds and make sure it is saturating with acetone.
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Wrap the Foil Around Your Fingers: Wrap the foil around your fingers containing the cotton balls. Make sure you leave enough air inside the aluminum foil “ball” so the acetone vapors can spread.
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Wait 10 minutes: Wait outside of the foil for around 10 minutes so the acetone can “melt” the acrylic nails.
-Remove the Foil: Carefully remove the foil and check the progress. If you feel the acrylic nails haven’t softened enough, apply more acetone and go through the same process.
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Scrape off the Acrylic Nails: Use the wooden pusher to gently scrape off the acrylic nails from the nail bed. Avoid being too rough as it can cause severe damage to your nails.
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Wipe the Nails: After the acrylic nails have been removed, make sure to carefully remove any acetone or acrylic nail residuals by gently wiping the nails with a soft cloth. This will help removing any excess product and allow your nails to recover quickly.
Caring for Your Nails After Acrylic Removal
After the acrylic nails have been removed, it is important to practice proper nail care to ensure more healthy and beautiful nails. Here are a few tips on how to take better care of your nails post-removal:
-Rehydrate the Nail Beds: Massage a small amount of petrolatum jelly or cuticle oil on the nails and skin to help the healing process. A good nighttime routine would be rubbing cuticle oil onto the nails and using gloves for extra hydration.
-Use Orange Wood Sticks: Use orange wood sticks to massage the nail beds and to move the cuticles back without damaging your nails.
-Invest in Quality Nail Supplies: Invest in buying quality nail supplies, like nail polish remover, nail clippers, and cuticle trimmers.
-Patience is Key: Don’t be too hard on your nails. Avoid over-washing them and avoid acetone-based nail polish removers.
Removing acrylic nails at home can be an easy way to save time and money. However, it is important to use the correct materials to ensure a safe and successful procedure. Remember to prep your nails, take the process slow and patient, and practice proper nail care after the removal of your acrylic nails to maintain healthy and beautiful nails in the long run.
