Want to take off your acrylics at home? Here’s how you do it

There is a way.

There is no better feeling than a fresh set of nails, you feel like a human again coming out of the nail salon. But the other end of that? When your nails have grown out and your next appointment isn't for another week or so, you're only dying to rip off your acrylics. Resisting the urge to pick or bite them off, we know better than to damage our real nails but still, wouldn't it be nice. While most nail technicians will tell you to never remove them at home and always book for them to do it safely, there is a way. But still, the best way is always to just head down to the salon and have a professional do it. “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,” Rita de Alencar Pinto, founder of Vanity Projects nail salon in New York, told Cosmopolitan. If you're not in the position to get them removed professionally and if you're really stuck, there is a way to do it at home. While there is still potential to cause damage, it can be limited with this method. The best way to do this is to cover each nail with a cotton ball that has been soaked in pure acetone. Secure the cotton ball with tin foil and let them sit for 30 minutes. Acetone helps to break down your acrylics and soften it, allowing you to then buff or scrape off the rest with a cuticle pusher. For a step by step guide, we have you covered. Firstly, clip off your excess acrylics and cut them as close as possible to your real nails. Then use a nail buffer and rough up the surface of the polish until there is no shine left. This will help the acetone soften the acrylics much faster. Pour the pure acetone into a bowl and soak your nails for five minutes - be very careful with this step if you have any cuts on your fingers, it will burn. Cover each nail with a cotton ball that has been soaked in pure acetone. Secure the cotton ball with tin foil and let them sit for 30 minutes. Then take a metal cuticle pusher, gently push the polish off your nails starting from your cuticles downward. If it is stubborn, redip your nails for another five minutes into the acetone. Repeat this until your acrylics have completely soaked off and buff off the excess. Once complete, massage some cuticle oil into your nails to give them a little bit of much needed hydration. Just remember, while this is an option, the best and safest way is always to get them removed by a professional.

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