Comments on How to Remove Acrylic Nails

I once had a set removed and the tech just took one of those cuticle trimmers and chopped away. It was so painful and my natural nails were purple for days. The only relief was to massage Vaseline into my nails, they were like tissue paper. I didn't know any better but now I would insist on soaking them off.

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that the 2 bowls should be stacked. The remover bowl on top on the water bowl. I'm sure you all got that but just as an FYI. I would hate any misrepresentation :) I also agree that many nail techs and so called "chop shops" do this task very poorly and most the time, improper removal is reportable. I guess you could call it "Nail Salon Law". Safety and Sanitation come first. Or, well, it should :)

This is all great information but as a nail tech I would like to ad that when using nail polish remover, it is most effective to use 2 bowls. The bottom bowl should be deep enough to hold at least one full cup of boiling water. The top bowl should be just slightly smaller but deep enough for your hands as well as the nail polish remover. The heat from the boiling water creates a steam that aids in quicker softening of the acrylic and nail glue and provides much easier removal. I would also like to ad that attempting to pre-clip your acrylics before softening them is EXTREMELY dangerous and painful. You risk splitting the real nail in all it's vulnerability all the way down to your cuticle if cut incorrectly. You should always consider professional removal first. If they do not soak your nails first, get out of there!

Actually, it wasn't painful at all when the 'tech' pried off the nail with a fake nail...then again, the acrylic nail was almost half-way up my nail bed. So the further up, the less pain? I will try soaking it and etc...what a pain, don't think I'll ever use acrylic again!

So glad I saw this. Two weeks ago I had my first set removed and the woman took a tiny metal spatula and just dug them out. It was so painful. I thought my entire nails would pop off. Not going back.

I'm so glad I found this. I needed a new acrylic set two weeks ago and the woman just dug them off with a tiny metal spatula. It was very painful. I thought my whole nail would rip off. Not going back there.

Agree with the previous comment. Also be cautious if a nail tech tries to pry the nail off with a metal instrument. This can seriously damage your nail bed and injure your finger. "Professional" is not always safe, many nail salons have horribly damaging practices in the interest of saving time. The only safe way to remove arcylics is to soak them off.

I would add this is safer than going to the salon and having it done, unless you specifically ask them to "soak off." If not, some salons will use a fake nail to get under and PRY the acrylic off. This is VERY painful and you can bleed. I think they do this to save time/acetone. So insist a "soak off" (their electric files go faster w/ the removal) and if they won't do it, just find a place that will. I'd recommend a manicure right after with oil & massage.