How To Remove Acrylic Nails With Hot Water

Removing your acrylic nails at home with hot water is a gentle method that won’t damage your natural nails underneath. Begin by filling a bowl with warm water as hot as is comfortable. Then soak your fingertips for 5-10 minutes to soften the bond between the acrylic and your nails.

Once softened, use a wooden cuticle pusher or orange wood stick to slowly lift and peel off each acrylic nail piece by piece, working from one side and peeling back towards the cuticle. Go slowly and gently to avoid pain or pulling at the skin. Rinse fingers as you remove each nail to keep them soft.

If an area is stubborn, re-soak that finger only for a few extra minutes. You can also use a nail clipper or scissors to carefully cut or trim away any remaining pieces that don’t lift easily after soaking. Be very cautious not to cut the natural nail. Once all acrylic is removed, use a nail file or buffer to smooth any rough edges left behind. Then apply a thick moisturizing cream to nourish your nails and skin after the removal process.

Acrylic nails are fake nails that are made by sticking powder and liquid together on top of your real nails. They are very strong and last longer than normal nail polish. Acrylic nails can last for 2 to 6 weeks because they are thick. This makes them harder to break than real nails. To put acrylic nails on, a nail salon technician will:

• Nail technician can clean and push back your cuticles
• Glue the fake nail tip to your real nail
• Cover the fake nail and your real nail with acrylic powder and liquid
• Shape the nails when the acrylic hardens
• File and buff the nails to the shape you want

How to Remove Acrylic Nails with Hot Water

Acrylic nails can be beautiful and convenient, but removal in the safest way can be a hassle. Soaking your nails in hot water can soften the acrylic and make removal easier. During the 2 to 6 weeks, you will need nail fills to make the acrylic nails thicker as your real nails grow out. To take off acrylic nails, you have to soak them in acetone or hot water to soften the acrylic. Then a nail tech or you can pop them off for best results.

Gather the Required Supplies

Hot water

The hottest temperature you can comfortably tolerate. The hotter the water, the softer the acrylic will become.

Heat resistant bowl

Large enough for your hands to fit comfortably and deep enough to submerge your hands and fingertips however, a glass or ceramic bowls work well.

Olive Oil

Olive oil or lotion moisturizes your hands and nails after the removal of damaged nails.

Acetone nail polish remover

Dissolve any remaining acrylic glue after the hot water soak. Cotton balls are often used to apply acetone on damaged nails and also remove gel polish or regular nail polish.

Orangewood sticks

Also called cuticle sticks. Used to help lift and peel off the acrylic nails. Good for removing stubborn bits of acrylic and gel polish.

Aluminum foil

Aluminum foil is used to wrap your fingers in foil after soaking in acetone to help it stay on your nails. This keeps the acetone concentrated on the nails.

Tweezers or metal nail tools

Can provide additional leverage to help peel and remove acrylic nails.

Nail file

Optionally used after removal to smooth your natural nails and remove any roughness. A medium nail filer works best.

Nail clippers

Nail Clippers to clip your acrylic nails for removing them.

The lukewarm water soak is the key component for softening the acrylic nails or gel nails to remove them. The other tools simply aid in the removal process and help protect your natural nails. Using a combination of these components can help you achieve effective at-home acrylic removal with minimal damage to your nails and don’t use materials with harsh chemicals.

Procedure to take off acrylic nails with hot water

Check your acrylic nails for any damage or lifting that may make removal difficult. If needed, apply acrylic glue around lifting areas before soaking your false nails. This will help soften the bonds and give you a place to start removal.

Soak Your Nails

Pour the hot water into the large bowl, filling it about 3/4 full. Slowly submerge your fingers and palms into lukewarm water, laying them flat against the bottom of the bowl.

Soak your false nails for 10 to 15 minutes to begin softening the acrylic nails to acrylic nail removal. Check the nails every few minutes to test if the acrylic is lifting from the edges. The longer you soak, the softer the acrylic will become good to remove nail glue. But do not soak for more than 20 minutes to 40 minutes, as this can dry out your natural nails.

Acrylic Nail Removal

Once the acrylic starts lifting from the free edge, gently twist and pull the acrylic pieces away from your natural nail bed. Start from the corners and sides, then work towards the center of each nail.

Pull the acrylic up and away from your natural nail bed at a 90-degree angle. Do not pull parallel to your nail bed, as this can injure your nail plate and cuticle.

Use wooden sticks or tweezers for leverage if needed, but do not force or pry the acrylic off. Allow the hot water to soften the bonds naturally.

Adhesive Removal

Cotton balls soaked in acetone nail polish remover are effective for dissolving leftover acrylic glue. Soak the cotton balls and place them on your nails, covering the areas with adhesive.

Leave the cotton balls on your nails for about 10 minutes. The acetone will soak into the nail glue and break it down. Remove the cotton balls and wipe away any remaining glue with an orange stick or cuticle pusher.

Embedded Acrylic

If pieces of artificial nails remain embedded under your nails, use an orange stick or pusher to gently scrape them out. Press down on the acrylic particle with the stick and roll it out from under the nail.

Take your time and work methodically nail by nail. Do not apply too much pressure and avoid potential damage to your nail plate.

After Removal

When all the false nails have been removed, apply cuticle oil or lotion to moisturize and rehydrate your natural nails. Massage the oil into your cuticles and across the nail plates.

The oil will help repair any dryness caused by soaking in the hot water for an extended period. Let the oil sit on your nails for 5-10 minutes before gently wiping away any excess.

With patience and the proper tools, hot water soak removal can be an effective way to remove gel nails and acrylic nails at home. The key is to go slow, check the acrylic often while soaking, and be gentle with your natural nails and skin during the entire process.

Additional Points

Fill the heat-resistant large bowl with very hot water, as hot as you can comfortably tolerate. The hotter the water, the faster the acrylic will soften. Around 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal to avoid nail damage or harsh chemicals.

• Soak your acrylic nails for at least 10 minutes and avoid soaking your skin if your skin is getting any damage. Check the nails every few minutes to test if the acrylic is lifting from the edges. The longer you soak, generally the easier removal will be. But do not soak for more than 20 minutes to 30 minutes or 40 minutes to avoid drying out your natural nails.
• Once the acrylic starts lifting from the sides or corners, use your fingers, orange wood sticks, or tweezers to gently twist and pull the acrylic pieces away. Start from the edges and work your way toward the center of each nail.
• Pull the acrylic upward at a 90-degree angle relative to your nail bed. Do not pull parallel to your nail plate to avoid injuring your natural nail.
• If there is leftover acrylic glue after removal, soak cotton balls in acetone nail polish remover and place them on your nails. Leave the cotton balls on for 10 minutes to allow the acetone to dissolve the glue. Gently wipe away any remaining glue with an orange stick.
• If pieces of acrylic remain embedded under your nails, use an orange stick to gently scrape them out. Work carefully to avoid damaging your natural nail plate to avoid nail damage.
• After removal, apply cuticle oil or lotion to moisturize your nails. The hot water soak can dry out your natural nails. Massage the oil into your cuticles and across the nail beds.

Optionally use a nail file to smooth any roughness on your natural nails caused by the removal process. File in one direction from the cuticle to the tip of your nails to avoid nail damage. Also, visit how to remove gel nails, and how to remove fake nails with hot water.

FAQs