# How to Remove Acrylic Nails At Home: A Step by Step Guide Removing acrylic nails at home requires patience and care to prevent damage to your natural nails. While it's best to have acrylic nails removed by a professional at a salon, you can remove them yourself if you follow the right steps. Here's a detailed guide on **[how to remove acrylic nails at home](https://smartestcomputing.us.com/how-to-remove-acrylic-nails-at-home/)**: Materials You'll Need: Nail clippers Nail file or emery board Acetone-based nail polish remover Cotton balls or cotton pads Aluminum foil Cuticle oil or coconut oil A bowl of warm, soapy water Orange stick or cuticle pusher Step 1: Trim the Acrylics Start by using nail clippers to trim your acrylic nails down as short as possible. This step will make the removal process more manageable. Step 2: File the Acrylic Surface Next, use a nail file or emery board to gently file the shiny top surface of the acrylic nails. Be careful not to file your natural nails underneath; focus on the acrylic only. This step helps break the seal on the acrylic, making it easier for the acetone to penetrate. Step 3: Prepare the Acetone Pour enough acetone-based nail polish remover into a glass or plastic bowl to fully submerge your fingertips. You can find pure acetone at most drugstores, but if you have regular acetone-based nail polish remover, it will work as well, although it may take a bit longer. Step 4: Soak Your Nails Dip your cotton balls or cotton pads in the acetone, then place them onto your acrylic nails. To keep them in place, wrap each fingertip with a small piece of aluminum foil. This helps create a seal to lock in the acetone and soften the acrylic. Step 5: Wait Patiently Allow your nails to soak in the acetone for about 20-30 minutes. You may want to set a timer and occupy yourself with a book or a TV show during this time. Step 6: Check the Progress After the soaking time is up, carefully remove one aluminum foil wrap and gently push off the softened acrylic using an orange stick or cuticle pusher. Do not force it; if it doesn't come off easily, re-wrap and wait for a few more minutes. Be patient to avoid damaging your natural nails. Step 7: Repeat as Necessary Repeat the process for each finger. You may need to soak and wrap more than once, depending on the thickness of your acrylic nails. Step 8: Remove Residue Once you've removed the acrylic nails, you might still have some residue left on your natural nails. Gently buff your nails with a soft nail buffer or file to remove any remaining acrylic residue. Be very gentle to avoid thinning your natural nails. Step 9: Nourish Your Nails Soaking your nails in acetone can be drying, so it's important to rehydrate your nails and cuticles. Apply cuticle oil or coconut oil to your nails and massage it in. This will help restore moisture and keep your natural nails healthy. Step 10: Clean Your Hands Wash your hands thoroughly to remove any remaining acetone or oil residue. Step 11: Wait Before Applying New Nails Give your natural nails some time to recover before applying new acrylics or any other nail enhancements. It's essential to let them breathe and regain their strength. Note: If you experience any discomfort, pain, or damage to your natural nails during the process, it's best to stop and seek professional assistance. Acrylic nail removal can be tricky, and if done incorrectly, it can lead to nail damage. If in doubt, consult a nail technician or a dermatologist.