Want to speed up the process? “Acetone works faster when it’s hot,” he notes. IMPORTANT WARNING: Do not heat acetone directly under any circumstances; It is extremely flammable. (For example, set your house on fire with flammable materials.) Instead, you can place it over another bowl of hot water to heat it slowly. Gerstein points out that it’s also a good idea to cover the entire setup with a towel to minimize some of the fumes (which can be dangerous to inhale).

Step 5: Check and scrape (gently).

Check the status every five to 10 minutes; You should start to see the acrylic foaming and aerating, Gerstein says. Once you’ve done this, use an orange wooden stick (metal is very hard) to gently and gently scrape away anything that comes off on its own. Then dip your fingers in acetone again, click “Yes, I’m Still Watching” and repeat until all the acrylic is gone.

Step 6: Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more.

Dr. Considering that acetone is extremely dehydrating for both skin and nails, it’s imperative to load up on moisture as soon as you’re done cleaning the acrylics, according to Rastogi. Her suggested protocol: Wash your hands with soap and warm water to remove any remaining acetone, then apply the cuticle oil all over your nails and surrounding skin, then finish with a mega-thick paste. hand cream. Don’t get stuck looking for specific formulas or ingredients. “Anything that will restore moisture will work,” he says.

Looking to up the ante? Before going to bed, apply your cuticle oil and hand cream, add a top layer of Vaseline (Vaseline), then throw on a pair of cotton gloves to retain much-needed moisture overnight, she adds.

What are other ways to remove acrylic nails?

Unfortunately, there really isn’t any. Pulling, pulling and scraping again is a definite no-no. And if you want to speed up the process with an electronic file, it’s best to see a nail technician.

One important note: Gerstein says some gyms, especially ones where the full set is surprisingly inexpensive, may use acrylics containing MMA (methacrylate monomers). These chemicals were popular ingredients used in acrylics in the early 1970s, but they proved very damaging to both nails and skin. In conclusion, fda It has pulled products made with 100% MMA from the market, but there are currently no regulations banning companies from using them on acrylic nails.

If you don’t see any peeling or bubbling in the acrylic during the acetone soak but notice a sweet, pungent odor, your fakes likely contain MMA. “My advice is to stop trying to remove them and see a professional nail technician,” says Gerstein. “Lifting MMA will take hours and may not even be possible at all.”

If you made it to the end of this article, you will come to this conclusion: removing acrylic nails at home is definitely not a quick activity and you should not cheat. But if you’re willing to invest an hour or so and follow the expert-backed techniques outlined above, you can DIY without ruining your real nails. It just takes restraint, patience, and a boatload of acetone.

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