Q&A for How to Remove Acrylic Nails

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  • Question
    Can you use rubbing alcohol to remove acrylic nails?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can; it takes longer than acetone but it will work eventually. Unfortunately, it is just as drying to the skin as acetone.
  • Question
    How do you take off acrylic nails with nail polish remover?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Soak the nails in the remover for 10-20 minutes then gently scrape off the acrylics. You can do this by placing your fingertips in a bowl of nail polish remover containing acetone or by applying acetone-soaked cotton balls to your nails and wrapping them in foil.
  • Question
    Can you use hot water to remove acrylic nails?
    Klare Heston, LCSW
    Licensed Social Worker
    Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
    Licensed Social Worker
    Expert Answer
    You can use hot water to remove acrylic nails, but it requires a long soaking time, usually about twenty minutes. Since the water is only softening the acrylic, not breaking it down, you need to wait until it has fully softened before you try to remove the nails.
  • Question
    Can you use hot water to remove acrylic nails?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Hot water isn't a very effective way to remove acrylics. If you are sensitive to acetone, try a non-acetone polish remover instead.
  • Question
    How do you take off acrylic nails with nail polish remover?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can soak the nails in hot water or rubbing alcohol for 20-30 minutes. When they have softened, use dental floss or an orangewood stick to pry them off.
  • Question
    How do you take off fake nails without ruining your nails?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You need to soak them thoroughly in acetone before trying to remove them. If the soaking time isn't long enough or if you just try to pry them off you can damage the natural nail.
  • Question
    Can you use rubbing alcohol to remove acrylic nails?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can use rubbing alcohol to soften the acrylic, but it takes a long time, 20-30 minutes. Even with a long soak, they won't be as easy to remove as they would be with acetone.
  • Question
    How can you take off acrylic nails at home without acetone?
    Kristin Pulaski
    Professional Manicurist
    Kristin Pulaski is a Professional Nail Artist and the Founder of Paintbucket, a self-owned and operated nail salon based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has over five years of experience running Paintbucket and is licensed as a nail technician. Paintbucket offers nail art manicures, pedicures, and soft gel extensions along with customized packages for wedding and bridal parties. She holds a BA in Managerial Science from Manhattan College.
    Professional Manicurist
    Expert Answer
    Generally, no. There are some ways to do so, but they can damage your nails. You should use acetone when removing acrylics.
  • Question
    Is it easy to use the dental floss method?
    Community Answer
    Yes, and using a floss pick instead of a string of floss is easier and can be done by just one person.
  • Question
    Can I use vegetable oil to moisturize my nails?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    Can I use a nail clipper to pick the acrylic off of my nails? Will this damage my nails?
    Community Answer
    It could damage your nails if you scrape the real nail. It is not advisable because the acrylic nail is glued to your real nail and it could tear off your real nail if you aren't careful. Soak it in nail polish remover. It works better if it is 100% acetone.
  • Question
    Will the acetone irritate my skin?
    Community Answer
    Acetone dries out your skin, so if you soak it for too long unprotected, yes it might. However, the petroleum jelly will moisturize your skin and counteract the acetone. If you have really sensitive skin, however, I would advise you not to use this method.
  • Question
    Why do my nails hurt after I take off my acrylic nails?
    Community Answer
    This is often due to the damage that can occur from acrylic nails, including a thinning of the nail.
  • Question
    Do I need petroleum jelly to do this?
    Community Answer
    No, the petroleum jelly is only used so the acetone doesn't dry out your skin.
  • Question
    Will nail polish remover or alcohol work as a substitute?
    Abby Dockery
    Community Answer
    Acetone is commonly found in nail polish remover. Nail polish remover without acetone will work very slowly. Alcohol will not work.
  • Question
    Does it cost anything to have my acrylic nails taken off?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it should only be around $10 at a nail salon.
  • Question
    For how long should I soak my nails?
    Community Answer
    Soak your nails for about half an hour. If the nails do not come off, keep soaking them for another 20 minutes and gently pull at the nails.
  • Question
    Will the acetone weaken my nails?
    Community Answer
    Using acetone can dry out your nails badly (which could cause breakage) if you use it too often, so it is best to moisturize your nails with nail oil after using acetone.
  • Question
    Should you go to a salon to have them removed?
    Community Answer
    It's generally not necessary, unless you're really not comfortable doing it yourself. But if you follow the steps carefully so as to not damage your nails, you should be fine.
  • Question
    Can acrylic nails tear my real nails off?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they may take off some layers of your real nails if you remove them incorrectly. If you are removing them completely with dental floss, go slowly and do not take off the remainders of the acrylic nails too fast.
  • Question
    What do people recommend for strengthening my nails once I've taken acrylic ones off? I've had them on years, but had enough.
    Community Answer
    Nail oil is always a good way to help strengthen and moisturize them. You can buy different types for different results.
  • Question
    Does this work with gel extensions?
    Community Answer
    Yes. The acetone should weaken the gel and soften it enough for you to be able to push the gel off of your natural nail.
  • Question
    Is acetone just like nail polish remover? Are there different types of removers?
    Community Answer
    Acetone is a chemical inside of nail polish removers. Most nail polish removers are acetone based, but there is also non-acetone remover.
  • Question
    What if I have no cotton balls?
    Community Answer
    You can use Q-Tips or paper towels.
  • Question
    Can I apply nail varnish after having my acrylic nails removed?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but be careful because it could damage the real nail. I suggest a week of lotions and/or nail oils to heal the nail's damage. Then you can apply the varnish.
  • Question
    Can I use a nail polish remover with acetone?
    Crystal Brackett
    Community Answer
    Yes. The acetone is stronger and works faster.
  • Question
    Is there any faster way I could remove my acrylic nails?
    Community Answer
    You could go a nail salon and have them removed professionally.
  • Question
    What do I do if acetone doesn't remove the nails?
    Community Answer
    You probably want to go to the nail salon and have them professionally removed; it only costs about $10.
  • Question
    I need to have them off after a week, will it work or will the glue be too strong?
    Community Answer
    If you use normal glue you should be fine. Soak them in warm soapy water/nail polish remover and gently prize the fake nail from your real nail.
  • Question
    How long can I leave them on safely?
    Community Answer
    You can leave the fake nails on safely for as long as they last, but you'll have to get them filled every 2-3 weeks if you don't want a gap between the real and fake nail.
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