How to Take Off Acrylic Nails at Home, According to the Pros 

Giving yourself an at-home manicure is no walk in the park, so removing acrylic nails without your trusty nail tech is an even bigger feat. If you’re an acrylic devotee, then you’ll know that the process of removing acrylics can be confusing and time-consuming—especially if you aren't sure how. 

If you’re not a professional, you’ll most likely need to carve out an hour in your day to get through this process in order to get it right. It’s not impossible to do; it’s just important to take it slow and have patience to avoid any nail damage. 

Rita Pinto, founder of nail salon Vanity Projects New York, shares that the safest way to remove your acrylic nails is by going to a salon and seeing a trained nail tech who can remove them without damaging your own nails. “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,” she explains. 

While removing acrylic nails at home is usually not recommended for the sake of your nail health (and sanity), a trip to the nail salon isn't always an option. Your nail tech may not have time to see you when you desperately need them off. 

Learning how to remove them safely will minimize any damage and help keep your nails healthy. Ahead, how to take off acrylics nails at home, according to the pros. 

What are acrylic nails?

Acrylic nails are nail extensions and enhancements created by mixing powder and liquid monomer together to form a paste that is shaped onto your nails. They add length and strength to nails, and create a larger canvas for those who may be lacking naturally. You can also get your desired perfect shape and can change it each time you visit your nail tech. 

What tools do I need to remove acrylic nails?

The right tools are essential in making the removal process as seamless and safe as possible. Pick up some nail clippers, a nail file or hand drill, a nail buffer, a cuticle trimmer, or a cutter to help keep nails neat and tidy. To remove the acrylics, pure acetone will do the job. This is not to be confused with regular nail polish remover, which is not strong enough to remove acrylics. For the soaking process, get cotton balls, aluminum foil nail wrap, a nail remover that will help push off dried acrylic from your natural nail, and cuticle oil to help restore hydration. 

Step-by-step on how to take off acrylic nails:

Celebrity nail artist Trenna Seney says that the best way to take off acrylic nails is to first clip off the extra length you don’t need. “This would be the tip that does not cover your nail if they are that long,” she says. You’ll need to carefully clip off your excess acrylics, cutting them as close as possible to your real nails. 

To start, Pinto recommends using a nail buffer to rough up the surface of the polish until the shine is completely gone. Removing the top layer will help the polish soften faster once you introduce your nails to acetone. 

Soak a cotton ball with acetone and place it on your nail. Using 100% pure acetone is the key to success. Then grab your aluminum foil and wrap it around the nail and the cotton ball. To make the best of your time, do one hand at a time and ensure each nail is covered. You should leave it on your nails for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the acetone to really soak through your nail. Leaving it on for this long will make the removal process much easier. 

After 15 to 20 minutes, unwrap each nail and push off the excess acrylic nail with your nail removal tool or a wooden stick. Make sure to not push too hard, to avoid any damage on your nails. Pinto recommends using a metal cuticle pusher to gently remove the polish from your nails, starting from your cuticles and going downward. 

Take your nail file and remove any leftover acrylic. You’ll want to do this very lightly as well. Do it until there is no more acrylic on your nail. If there is still a good amount of acrylic on it, you can resoak your nails for five minutes or until the acrylics are completely soaked off. 

Grab a nail buffer, a nail file, and your cuticle trimmers. You can file your natural nails to your desired length and shape. Then buff your nails by lightly rubbing the buffer over them until they feel smooth. You should then clean up your cuticles by trimming down and cutting any that need it. 

You'll then want to nourish your nails because the acetone and filing down is rough on your nails. “Massage cuticle oil into your nails to rehydrate them, then buff it into your nails with the soft side of a buffer,” Pinto says. Finish with another layer of cuticle oil. 

Then you’re done! You can go in and apply nail polish if you wish, but letting them breathe and giving them a break from any lacquer can be beneficial to your nail health.