Buzz
Many women are captivated by the sophisticated and glamorous look of long nails made from acrylic powder. Acrylic nails are usually brushed and quickly bonded to your natural nails using glue. When they start to peel or become too thick due to multiple layers of polish, it’s time to remove them. Below are three methods to guide you on how to remove acrylic powder nails: soaking in acetone, manual filing, or using dental floss.
Steps
Soak Nails in Acetone
Trim your nails short. Use nail clippers to shorten the acrylic powder nails. Remove as much of the acrylic powder as possible. If you find this step challenging due to the thickness of the nails, use a coarse file to file them down. Be careful not to file into the natural nail, as it may cause bleeding.
File the surface coating of the nails. Use a high-quality soft sponge nail file to buff away the polish and remove as much of the acrylic powder as possible. Filing in long strokes along the length of the nails works best.
Pour acetone into a bowl. Fill a medium-sized glass bowl halfway with acetone. Some people prefer to warm the acetone by placing the bowl in a larger bowl of warm water. Never microwave acetone or use it near high heat sources. Acetone is highly flammable.
- Ensure the room is well-ventilated, as acetone evaporates quickly.
- Do not smoke near acetone.
Apply petroleum jelly to the skin around your nails. Acetone can dissolve plastic and also harm your skin, so it’s best to protect your hands. This step will prevent skin irritation from acetone, especially if you have hangnails.
- Avoid applying too much petroleum jelly to the nails, as it may hinder the acetone from breaking down the acrylic layer.
- Use a cotton swab for precise application of petroleum jelly.
Soak your nails in acetone. Soak cotton pads in warm acetone, then place them on your fingertips. Use aluminum foil to tightly wrap the cotton pads around the acrylic nails. Let your nails soak in the acetone for about 30 minutes.
- You can also use non-plastic tape if aluminum foil is unavailable.
- Alternatively, you can directly soak your nails in acetone if you’re sure it won’t irritate your skin.
Remove the foil and cotton pads from your fingertips. The cotton pads will pull off the acrylic powder nails easily.
- If you soaked your nails directly, use an orange stick to gently lift and remove the acrylic layer.
- If the acrylic nails are still firmly attached, repeat the soaking process for an additional 20 minutes and try removing them again.
Use a soft sponge file to remove any remaining acrylic powder. The acrylic layer has softened after soaking in acetone, so take this opportunity to file it away completely. If the acrylic hardens during filing, use a cotton pad soaked in acetone to soften it again.
Shape your natural nails. Use nail clippers and a file to smooth the edges of your nails. Gently buff your nails from the base to the tip using a nail buffer.
- To avoid damaging your nails, file in one direction only and avoid a sawing motion.
- The top layers of your natural nails may have been stripped along with the acrylic. Be careful while buffing to prevent tearing or injuring your nails.
Restore moisture to your hands. Acetone can leave your skin extremely dry. Wash off the acetone with soap and water, then dry your hands and apply cuticle oil, olive oil, or moisturizer to rejuvenate your skin.
File the Acrylic Powder Nails
Trim your nails short. Use nail clippers to shorten the acrylic tips. Remove as much of the acrylic as possible. If the thickness of the nails makes this step difficult, use a coarse file to file them down.
File the nails. Use the coarse side of a nail buffer to file away the acrylic powder. Focus on one nail at a time, filing until the acrylic layer is thin and barely covers your natural nail. Continue filing to remove as much of the acrylic as possible.
- You can file until the acrylic is almost completely gone. However, if you’re concerned about damaging your nails, stop filing. Over-filing can thin your natural nails and cause long-term damage.
- If you’re determined to remove all traces of the acrylic, proceed to the next step.
Use a cuticle pusher to lift the edges of the acrylic nails. Once the edges are lifted, insert the tip of cuticle scissors and begin trimming away the acrylic layer. Continue this process until the acrylic is fully removed.
- Repeat this process for the remaining nails until all acrylic is gone.
- Lift and trim the acrylic layer gradually. Applying too much force can cause nail lifting or damage to your natural nails.
Buff the nails. Use a nail buffer to eliminate any remaining traces of acrylic. Shape your natural nails with clippers and a file. Restore nail health by applying cuticle softener and moisturizing the surrounding skin.
Remove Acrylic Powder Nails with Dental Floss
Find an assistant. This removal method requires an extra pair of hands, as it involves sliding dental floss beneath the acrylic layer, which requires both hands to maneuver.
Lift the edge of an acrylic powder nail. Gently slide a cuticle pusher underneath and raise the entire base edge of the acrylic layer.
Ask your assistant to slide dental floss under the lifted edge. Your helper should sit opposite you, threading the floss beneath the lifted nail edge while holding both ends firmly.
Your assistant will begin by moving the floss back and forth under the acrylic layer. Instruct them to slide the floss while pulling it forward, gradually loosening the acrylic. Repeat this sawing motion until the acrylic layer separates completely from your natural nail.
- Remind your partner not to pull the floss too quickly; you don’t want your natural nails to wear down along with the acrylic.
- Repeat the process for the remaining nails until all acrylic is removed.
Buff the nails. Use a nail buffer to clean and smooth your nails, which may have been slightly damaged during the process. Restore nail health by applying cuticle softener and moisturizing the surrounding skin.
Finish. Your nails are now clean and free of any traces of acrylic powder.
Tips
- Do not pour acetone into a plastic bowl. It can dissolve the bowl and cause spills.
- The manual filing method is best used when your natural nails have grown out significantly beyond the acrylic layer.
- You can purchase a specialized Acrylic Nail Removal Kit at a pharmacy.
Warnings
- If the removal process causes pain or the nails remain stuck after repeated attempts, stop and seek advice from a nail salon.
- Always keep acetone away from flames or high heat sources, as it is highly flammable.
- Using acrylic nails carries a risk of infection as the gap between the natural nail and the acrylic increases, allowing bacteria to enter. If your nails become thick or discolored, consult your personal doctor or a dermatologist.
What You'll Need
Soak Nails in Acetone
- Nail clippers
- Nail file set
- Nail buffer sponge
- Acetone nail polish remover
- Small glass bowl
- Petroleum jelly
- Aluminum foil
- Cotton pads
- Orange wood stick
- Soap and water for handwashing
- Moisturizing cream
File Down Acrylic Powder Nails
- Nail clippers
- Nail file set
- Soft and hard nail buffer sponges
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle scissors
- Moisturizing cream
Remove Acrylic Powder Nails with Dental Floss
- Dental floss
- Nail clippers
- Nail file set
- Nail buffer sponge
- Moisturizing cream
