How to Remove Nail Tips

Co-authored by Mia Rubie and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: November 25, 2022 References

Nail tips are the plastic tips that go on the end of acrylic nails to give them length and shape. If you’ve put your acrylics on yourself or you don’t want to wait for an appointment at a salon, you may be considering removing your nail tips at home. Make sure you soak your nails in acetone, use a nail drill or a cuticle pusher to remove the acrylic, and file the nail tip down to your natural nail to preserve your nail health while taking off your nail tips.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Acetone and Trimming Tools

1
Trim the nail tip down to your real nails. Use a nail trimmer to clip the nail tips down to the length of your real nails. Cut your nails in a straight line so that they don’t bend too much. Try not to cut into your actual nails so that you don’t damage them.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- You can also use cuticle trimmers to cut your nail tips.
2
Fill a medium-sized bowl with 100% acetone nail polish remover. Use a bowl or container that can fit both of your hands at the same time. If you don’t have one that large, use a container that can fit at least one of your hands. Fill the bowl about halfway so that your nails will be completely submerged.^{[2]
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- You can find acetone at most beauty supply stores.
- If you have sensitive skin that is prone to drying, look for acetone free nail polish remover or place cotton balls soaked in acetone over your nails to avoid dipping your skin in the chemical.
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3
Soak your nails in acetone for 20 minutes. Place your nails into the bowl and make sure they are fully submerged. Leave them in acetone for about 20 minutes or until the acrylic seems soft.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}

Warning: Use acetone in a well-ventilated area so the fumes don’t get overwhelming.
4
Scrape the acrylic or gel off your nails with a cuticle pusher. Take a wooden stick or cuticle pusher and gently scrape the acrylic or gel from your nails off. If you have a lot of acrylic or gel left on your nails, soak them in acetone in 5-minute increments until the acrylic is soft. Pull the nail tips off of your nails when the acrylic is no longer there.^{[4]
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- Use a nail buffer to remove stubborn spots of acrylic.
Expert Answer

Q

Can you also use this method to soak off acrylic nails at home?

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Mia Rubie:

Yes, you can dip acrylic nails in acetone and soak them for 20 minutes. Then, gently try to remove the nails. If they won't come off easily, soak them a bit longer and try again. Never pry the nails off—this can cause a lot of damage to your nail.
5
Apply a topical nail hardener for about 2 weeks. Acrylic or gel nails can leave your natural nails feeling soft and flimsy. Wash your hands thoroughly and then paint on a topical nail hardener every day for about 2 weeks until your nails grow out fully again. Try to keep your nails short so that they don’t bend or break at the tip.^{[5]
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- You can buy nail hardeners and strengtheners at most drug and beauty supply stores.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Removing Tips with a Nail Drill

1
Soak your nails in 100% acetone for 5 minutes. Fill a small bowl or dish with 100% acetone. Dip your nails in the acetone up to the edge of the acrylic. Keep your acetone handy to soften your nail tip bonds as your take them off.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- You can also use a cotton ball soaked in acetone on each individual nail.
2
Use cuticle trimmers to pull up the acrylic surrounding your nail tip. As the acetone softens the acrylic bonding your nail tip to your nail, use cuticle trimmers to gently pull it up and clip it off. Don’t try to remove all of the acrylic this way; instead, focus on the area at the base of the nail tip.^{[7]
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- If you don’t have cuticle trimmers, you can use nail clippers instead.
3
Place the drill tip at the base of the nail tip and turn on the drill. Identify where the base of your nail tip is by finding the edge of the acrylic. Turn the drill onto the lowest speed. Try not to place the drill on your natural nail, or you could damage it.^{[8]
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4
Move the drill tip upward slowly to loosen the acrylic. Go back and forth from the base of the nail tip to the top of it. Keep your nail drill on a low speed. Do not press hard with your drill, or you could damage your natural nail.^{[9]
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- If you are planning on putting acrylic back on top of your nail, don’t remove the acrylic completely. Instead, leave a thin base layer to protect your nails.
Warning: If the drill feels hot or burns your finger, move to a different spot on your nail.
5
Soak your nails in acetone if the acrylic is not coming off. If your nail tip is being stubborn, it may need to be soaked again. Place your fingers back in your acetone for 5 minutes and then try drilling them again. Repeat this throughout the drilling process as you need to.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- Keep your bowl of acetone nearby to make this easier.
6
File the nail tip down to your natural nail. Use a nail file to shorten the nail tip until it is flush with your natural nail. Do not try to pull or tear the nail tip off of your finger, or you could damage your nail. Use the nail file to shape the tip of your nail as you shorten it.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- Apply a nail hardener or strengthener if you are leaving them natural.

References

↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4sGTkkYcsY&feature=youtu.be&t=38
↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcGVhG8GkOg&feature=youtu.be&t=228
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqQ8K5XnCMA&feature=youtu.be&t=27
↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4sGTkkYcsY&feature=youtu.be&t=58
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4sGTkkYcsY&feature=youtu.be&t=126
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4sGTkkYcsY&feature=youtu.be&t=126

More References (2)

↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I remove nail tips at home?

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.

Mia Rubie

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The easiest way to do it is just soak your nails in acetone for a little and then gently take them off without using a lot of force. I wouldn't really recommend any other methods. If you don't want to take them off yourself, you can always go to a nail salon and have a technician take them off for you.