Have you ever wanted to take off your beautiful acrylic nails but didn’t know how to do it? You may have heard about a few options that can be used, such as acetone or gel polish remover. But did you also know that hot water is another option for taking off nails?
There is a simple yet effective way of using hot water to remove acrylic nails, and it doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals or spending hours filing away.
Here, we’ll show you how quick, easy, and painless this process can be – with the right tips and tricks.
Is It Possible to Take Off Acrylic Nails With Hot Water?
Yes! Hot water is simple and safe for removing fake acrylic nails, making it the perfect solution for taking off acrylics. Besides, it acts as a softening agent, helping to break down the bond between your natural nail and the acrylics.
Besides, it also helps to loosen the acrylics from your nail beds – making removal a breeze. Hot water is a much gentler and less risky alternative than using harsh chemicals like pure acetone.
How Effective is Hot Water to Take Off Acrylic Nails?
Hot water can be very effective in removing acrylic nails, but it’s important to ensure that it is hot enough. If the water isn’t hot enough, it won’t be able to break down the adhesive bond between your natural nails and the artificial ones.
So, it’s best to ensure that the water is hot enough to cause discomfort when touching. Yet, you should be careful not to scald yourself in the process. Once the water is at the right temperature, you’ll be able to remove your acrylic nails easily.
How To Take Off Acrylic Nails With Hot Water?
Taking off acrylic nails with hot water is relatively simple. Not only is it effortless to use, but it is gentler on your nails and skin than acetone or nail polish remover.
Are you curious about how hot water can be used to remove acrylic nails? There are five different methods that you can easily use at home. Let’s take a look at each one:
Method 1 – Using Only Hot Water
Have you heard about the trend of removing acrylic nails with hot water? It may sound too good to be true, but it works!
What you’ll need:
- Hot water
- A container large enough to fit your hand in
- Towel
- A cuticle stick
- Hand cream or cuticle oil
Instructions:
- Fill a container with hot water (but not boiling!). Remember to soak your hands for at least 10 minutes; don’t let the water get too hot and scald yourself.
- Soak your hands in hot water for 10-15 minutes. It will help to soften the acrylics and make them easier to remove.
- Once the acrylics have softened, use a cuticle pusher or an orange stick to gently push them off your nails. Make sure you are gentle and take your time – you don’t want to damage your natural nails. If removal is still tricky, soak your nails a little longer.
- Once all the acrylics have been removed, wash your hands and dry them off with a towel. Then apply some hand cream or cuticle oil to help moisturize and hydrate your nails.
Method 2 – Using Hot Water and Soap
The second way to remove acrylic nails with hot water is by adding soap to the mix. Using a combination of hot water and soap can help to make the process even easier.
What you’ll need:
- Hot water
- Soap or shampoo
- A container large enough to fit your hand in
- Towel
- A cuticle pusher or orange stick
- Hand cream or cuticle oil
Instructions:
- Fill a bowl with hot water and add a few drops of soap or shampoo. It will enable the soap to do its job more effectively in separating both types of nails.
- Soak your hands in a warm soapy solution for 10-15 minutes. Ensure the water is not excessively hot, as you do not want to burn yourself.
- When your acrylics have softened, use a cuticle pusher or an orange stick to push them away from the nail bed. This process requires patience and delicacy to protect your nails’ health.
- After all the acrylics have been taken off, wash your hands and dry them with a towel. Then apply some hand lotion or cuticle oil for extra hydration and nourishment of your nails.
Method 3 – Using Hot Water and Oil
The third way to remove acrylic nails with hot water is by adding oil. This method makes the process even easier and helps to moisturize your nails at the same time.
What you’ll need:
- Hot water
- Oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or Baby Oil work best)
- A container large enough to fit your hand in
- Towel
- A cuticle pusher or orange stick
- Hand cream or cuticle oil
Instructions:
- Pour hot water into a container and add a few drops of oil. Then, depending on the quantity of your chosen mixture, add around one-quarter cup or more of oil.
- Submerge your hands in a warm and soothing oil bath, ensuring the water isn’t too hot to burn yourself. Allow it to soak for 10-15 minutes for best results.
- After the acrylics have become malleable, use a cuticle pusher or an orange stick to gently pry them from your nails slowly. If they still don’t budge, give them more time to soak for at least 5-10 extra minutes and try again.
- After carefully removing all the acrylics, please take the time to wash and dry your hands with a towel thoroughly. Later, apply luxurious hand cream with natural oils to hydrate and nourish your nails for long-lasting shine.
Method 4 – Using Hot Water and Acetone
The fourth way to remove acrylic nails with hot water is by adding acetone. Acetone is a solvent used to dissolve nail polish and remove acrylic nails.
What you’ll need:
- Hot water
- Acetone
- A container large enough to fit your hand in
- Towel
- A cuticle pusher or orange stick
- Ziplock bag
- Hand cream or cuticle oil
Instructions:
- Quickly heat your water using a bowl or pot on the stove. Make sure to be careful not to scald yourself!
- Fill a zip lock bag with enough acetone to submerge your nails and place it in hot water for an optimal soak.
- Soak your hands in hot water and acetone for 10-15 minutes.
- Once your acrylics have been sufficiently softened, gently push them away from the nails using a cuticle pusher or an orange stick. If this is uncomfortable or difficult to remove, keep them soaking in acetone and hot water for several more minutes until they slide off easily.
- After all the acrylics have been taken off, wash your hands with soap and water. Use a towel to dry them before applying some hand cream or nail cutter cuticle oil for extra hydration and moisturization of your nails.
Discard the remaining acetone and hot water mixture to prevent accidental exposure or harm.
Method 5 – Using Hot Water and Nail Polish Remover
Finally, using a nail polish remover is the fifth method for removing acrylic nails with hot water. This method is slightly different from the previous one as nail polish remover is a safer organic solvent.
What you’ll need:
- Hot water
- Nail file
- Nail polish remover
- Ziplock bag
- A bowl large enough to fit your hand in
- Towel
- A cuticle pusher or orange stick
- Hand cream or natural cuticle oil
Instructions:
- Heat your water using a bowl or pot on the stove.
- Fill a zip lock bag with enough nail polish remover to submerge your nails and place it in hot water for an optimal soak.
- Submerge your hands in hot water and nail polish remover blend for 10-15 minutes to achieve the optimal effect.
- Use a cuticle pusher or an orange stick to remove acrylics from your nails after they have been sufficiently softened. If the removal process is still too long, extend the soak time by a few more minutes, and they should come off effortlessly.
- After completely removing the acrylics, wash your hands and thoroughly dry them. To maximize nail care, moisture your nails and slather on hand cream or cuticle oils for hydration.
Don’t forget to dispose of the remaining nail polish remover and warm water mixture to prevent potential contact or injury.
Extra Tips for Removing Acrylic Nails
Although removing your acrylic nails with hot water is slightly more time-consuming than acetone or nail polish remover, it is safer and effortless. To ensure you take off the gel nails without difficulty while preserving the health of your natural ones, here are some handy tips to remember.
Cut Down Your Acrylics
We understand the disappointment that comes with having to cut your acrylic nails. But, it is a necessary step to keep your real nails healthy. Cutting will be the most effective method unless you can refill them at home.
Make sure to use sharp clippers when trimming your extensions, leaving approximately two centimeters of the nail bed above for security. It is the quickest and most straightforward way to achieve a standard length on your natural nails.
Soak Off Your Acrylic Nails Using Acetone
Acetone may have a powerful smell and can make your nails dry. But frequently, other tactics like dental floss, dish soap, and warm water don’t do the job when removing fake nails.
So if you want them gone successfully – grab that acetone bottle (even if you need to pinch your nose). Trust us – this is the only way.
The optimal concentration of acetone you should use is 70-proof or higher. Take a bowl, fill it with hot water, and pour in the nail remover until you have enough to submerge your nails.
Soak your fingers for 10 to 20 minutes, and the acrylics should come off easily. Make sure you don’t forget to apply cuticle oil or hand cream to restore your nails to their natural health once the process is over.
Gently Scrape the Remaining Nail Glue
When you have finally managed to remove all the leftover glue, use a buffer or orange stick tip to buff away any remaining pieces on the surface gently.
Although some acrylic residue may be left behind, treating these areas gently is crucial. To remove the pesky bits of acrylic that won’t seem to come off, try using a soft foam nail buffer.
Such buffers are specifically designed to be gentle, so you can buff them without fear of having damaged nails.
Hydrate and Strengthen Your Nails
Once you finish the process, your nails will likely feel very parched. To restore moisture and nourish them, liberally apply cuticle oil around your cuticles and close to the edge of each nail bed.
You can also use a rich hand cream or cuticle oil to help moisturize and hydrate your nails.
Finally, use a nail protein cream to strengthen and revitalize the health of your nails.
If you are worried that they may be too weak after the acrylics have been removed, using a protein cream is an effective way to restore their strength.
Now that you’ve successfully removed your acrylic nails, you’re free to go ahead and flaunt your natural nails again with pride. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have nothing to worry about regarding acrylic nail removal.
Final Thoughts
Taking off artificial nails can be challenging, yet you can get them off effectively and securely with these simple tricks. The hot water method is one of the most common.
To avoid harm to your natural nails, strictly adhere to all directions to prevent nail damage. Never try to remove the fake nail from your own nail plate forcefully.
Removing acrylic nails quickly at home is usually a simple process. Yet, it makes it easier for people who are always running short of time or money to visit a professional nail salon.
So now that you’ve read through these steps, you’re all set to take off your acrylic nails at home.