I've committed quite a few beauty sins in my life. Sleeping with makeup on, cutting my own bangs, popping my pimples—all the big ones. But the one that still haunts me to this day? Biting off my acrylic nails. TBH, I think my nails are still recovering from that trauma five years later. But once I learned how to remove acrylic nails in a way that didn't completely annihilate my natural nails, my whole world was changed.
TBH, the safest way to remove acrylic nails is at a salon with a trained nail tech. But, if you're desperate, just like with gel polish removal, there are some methods you can try at home that won't completely destroy your nails like biting, chewing, or picking them off would. Keep reading for a guide on how to remove acrylic nails at home, plus some tips to keep your nails healthy afterwards.
How to remove acrylic nails, step by step
We’re gonna be real with you, the best answer to how to remove acrylic nails properly is always by booking in for removal at a salon. As Michelle Humphrey, Essie ambassador and manicurist to celebs like Dua Lipa puts it, this is “because a reputable nail pro knows exactly what they are doing when it comes to acrylic removal. They will safely break down the product with the correct tools and products, and restore your nails, whether that's to put on a new set, or take a break. Removing acrylics at home can go wrong if you're rough or impatient with the process.”
With that said, it can be done safely at-home – you just need to allow plenty of time and really take it slow. “The removal process can take up to 30–40 minutes, and even longer if you have non-standard MMA acrylics on as these take much longer to break down,” explains Michelle. “Never rush removal and resist the urge to pick any remaining product from the nail plate as this will cause damage. Patience is key with acrylic soak-offs!” OK, here’s how to do it step by step.
1. Clip down the length
Get a sturdy pair of nail clippers and carefully cut down your excess acrylics, clipping them as close as possible to your real nails. This will help to reduce the amount of time you spend soaking them during the removal process.
2. File the surface of your acrylics
Next, take a nail buffer or file and use it to rough up the surface of the nail polish until its shine is completely gone.
“File off the top coat and de-bulk some of the excess product, especially if there are thick areas,” Michelle says. “Be careful at the cuticle area as this will be thinner and you don't want to file the nail plate.”
Removing this top layer helps the polish to soften faster when you soak your nails in the acetone. Speaking of…
3. Soak your nails
Using 100 percent pure acetone, you then have two options for the soaking step.
“This can be in an acetone-proof manicure bowl, or you can wrap each finger in a saturated piece of cotton and foil,” says Michelle. “Be patient! Wait a good 10 minutes before [the next step].”
4. Gently push off the polish
Next, “gently push any softened product off the nail using a cuticle stick,” Michelle advises.
Push the polish away from your cuticles down towards the top edge of your nails, ideally with a metal cuticle pusher (remember to clean this properly between uses), or a disposable wooden one.
5. Repeat the process
Prepare for déja vu: dip and soak your nails again for another 10 minutes, then gently push the lifted polish off your nails again.
“Repeat the process until all the product is removed,” says Michelle. “Again, be patient!”
6. Apply cuticle oil
“Gently buff the natural nail after removal and hydrate them using cuticle oil,” says Michelle. “My fave is the Essie On A Roll Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil.”
Massage a little into your nails, wait a moment, then apply another layer. And you’re done!
Pro tip: keep cuticle oil by your bed so that you remember to apply some every night – particularly in the days immediately after acrylic removal.
And if you've seen a bunch of TikToks about removing acrylic nails with dental floss or dish soap and hot water, sure, they might remove your acrylics (albeit, in a few hours), but they can potentially damage your nails too. I lost half a nail trying the dental floss trick on my acrylics, FYI, and dish soap can also be majorly drying. So if you're truly in a pinch, def just go see a nail tech to get the job done effectively and with the least amount of damage.
When should acrylic nails be removed?
Your acrylic nails should be removed after four weeks max, but this depends on how fast your nails grow. “Your natural nails grow out regardless of how long your acrylics last, and you’ll start to see growth at your cuticle beds after two weeks,” nail artist Rita de Alencar Pinto previously told Cosmo. So even if you top your acrylics with gel nail polish and don't notice any chipping, the growth will still make your nails more susceptible to breaking, cracking, and snapping off, which you don't need me to tell you is painful AF and can damage your real nails.
What to do with natural nails after acrylic removal?
After you remove your acrylics, your natural nails will likely be quite brittle and dry, so you'll want to give them from TLC. Layer on a nail strengthener every day for a week to keep your nails from breaking and smooth out any ridges, then brush a cuticle oil or serum around your nail beds to keep them soft and moisturised. You should also def consider taking a break from acrylics, gel polish, press-on nails, and even regular polish to give your nails some time to recover, especially if you notice any discolouration, cracking, splitting, or breaking.
Your post-acrylics care kit:
O.P.I Repair Mode Building Nail Serum
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Meet the experts
Michelle Humprey is a nail artist with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. She has worked with brands like YSL and Burberry and celebs like Dua Lipa and Adele.
Rita de Alencar Pinto is a nail specialist and founder of Vanity Projects a nail concept store in NYC and Miami.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
