Can I just quickly remove my acrylic nails at home?

While you can remove faux nails at home, it will take some time (you'll want to file them down, soak them, and gently remove them), so don't try to yank them off quickly.

How long can I go in between acrylic nail sets?

There's no definite timeline, though it's best to wait until your nails are healthy again (which could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months).

How should I care for my natural nails after removing my acrylics?

First off, you'll want to keep nails short and healthy, as they will likely be weak from the acrylics. Moisturize with oils often, and apply a strengthening treatment as necessary.

How to Remove Fake Nails in 5 Expert-Approved Steps

Hands with a cotton round and nail polish remover — Stocksy

One of the easiest ways to get out of a fashion/beauty rut is by getting a new manicure. However, getting a regular lacquer manicure every week can be time-consuming– and who has time to deal with chipped nails? So, more often than not, acrylics or gels become the answer. Acrylic nails (aka fake nails) are often compared to gel nails, but they actually last way longer, clocking in a wear time of six to eight weeks as opposed to two to three weeks. Plus, you can get acrylics in various shapes, as well as in plenty of designs. After constantly fixing chipped nail polish and nail breakage, fake nails can feel like a sigh of relief due to their low-maintenance nature. But, if you plan on removing them at home, there are a few things you should know.

Although gel and acrylic nails get removed the same way, acrylics may take longer as they're much thicker. Of course, going to the salon to get them professionally removed is always a choice, but if you're in a time crunch or just need your tips off ASAP, you have the option of DIYing the removal process yourself. It's pretty much the same for both types of fake nails, but you want to ensure that you're doing everything right to keep your nail health in tip-top shape and damage-free. We tapped two professional manicurists to tell us exactly how to remove fake nails at home in five easy steps. Read on for their professional tips and tricks.

Meet the Expert

Hannah Lee is an Atlanta-based licensed manicurist and Sally Hansen partner.
Pattie Yankee is a celebrity nail artist and Dashing Diva consultant, with over 30 years of experience in the nail industry.

How to Remove Fake Nails Without Ruining Your Real Ones — Byrdie | Design by Zackary Angeline

What You'll Need

Nail file
Nail buffer
Nail clippers
Acetone
10 pieces of cotton and 10 squares of aluminum foil or two bowls
Manicure stick
Cuticle oil
Moisturizer

01 of 05

File Down Your Nails

Woman files down a fake nail — D Mills / Byrdie

Before you soak your nails, you'll want to take a file to the surface: "Roughing up the surface and removing as much of the top layer as possible helps the fake nails soften quicker in acetone," says Atlanta-based manicurist, Hannah Lee. Celebrity nail artist, Pattie Yankee, adds that it's important to cut down the fake nail as well.

After this, Lee likes to saturate the nail in cuticle oil. "This helps keep the nails and skin moisturized during the removal process since acetone can be very drying," she says.

02 of 05

Soak Your Fingernails in Acetone

Woman wraps nail in foil with acetone-soaked cotton — D Mills / Byrdie

Now, it's time to soak. Acetone breaks down acrylics and gels, but unlike regular polish that only requires being wiped down in it to remove the lacquer, gels and acrylics require time—there are two ways to do this.

Lee recommends dipping your hands into bowls filled halfway with acetone, calling it easier and faster than the alternative technique, but doing so also means you'll have to sit still for up to 30 minutes while the acetone does its job. While this time can be spent catching up on your favorite show and relaxing, we know that some people want to keep running around, and those people can opt to wrap their nails in foil with an acetone-soaked cotton pad. Lee favors the first technique but admits that doing so will expose your surrounding skin to acetone, which is very drying. Both techniques work, so it's all about figuring out which works best for you.

03 of 05

Repeat the Process (if Needed)

Woman removes foil and acetone cotton from a fingernail — D Mills / Byrdie

On average, Lee says it takes between 20 to 30 minutes for the acetone to break down fake nails. It will be easier to observe how the removal is going if you're soaking your nails, but if you have them wrapped, you can unwrap them at around the 20-minute mark to see how they're doing. "You'll notice them melting throughout the process," says Lee. Once you see this she says you can start to gently push the acrylic/gel off the nail with your manicure stick. Depending on how many layers of gel you have or if you have acrylics on, you may need to rinse and repeat until all the gel/acrylic comes off.

04 of 05

Clean Up Your Nail Plate

Woman chips away at remaining polish on her fingernail — D Mills / Byrdie

After you've removed your fake nails, you can push away any loosened product with a manicure stick. Then, lightly buff any remaining residue from the nail plates with a fine-grit file or buffing block. "Buff your nails gently after everything is removed," says Lee. "This helps smooth out the surface and remove any leftover product."

Once your nails are totally bare, wash your hands a slather on the cuticle oil and moisturizer. "Acetone is extremely drying on skin and nails, so you can rehydrate and get them back to looking their best by applying this combo a couple of times a day," says Lee.

05 of 05

Give Your Nails Some TLC

Final view of a woman's hand, free of fake nails — D Mills / Byrdie

In the days after removing your fake nails, it's time to show your real ones some love. Along with the aforementioned cuticle oil and moisturizer, you might want to offer your nails a little PTO before getting a new mani. "If you wear [fake nails] a lot, it's always a good idea to give your nails a little break and focus on caring for your natural nails, even for a few days," says Lee. Yankee does suggest protecting and strengthening your nails with a few layers of an editor-approved base coat.

FAQ

Can I just quickly remove my acrylic nails at home?

While you can remove faux nails at home, it will take some time (you'll want to file them down, soak them, and gently remove them), so don't try to yank them off quickly.
How long can I go in between acrylic nail sets?

There's no definite timeline, though it's best to wait until your nails are healthy again (which could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months).
How should I care for my natural nails after removing my acrylics?

First off, you'll want to keep nails short and healthy, as they will likely be weak from the acrylics. Moisturize with oils often, and apply a strengthening treatment as necessary.

How to Remove Fake Nails in 5 Easy, Expert-Approved Steps