Getting your nails done is a pampering activity that so many people enjoy.
If you want your nails to last longer, many will opt for no chip nail polish.
The only problem with that is when you are done with that nail color, or your nails have grown, your new naked nail is showing.
You may not always have time to go in to get the no chip nail polish removed and replaced and may not want to pay to get it removed.
Good thing for you, there are ways to remove no chip nail polish at home.
We have done some research and learning how to remove no-chip nail polish is not as hard as you might think.
Continue reading down below to learn what you will need to remove no-chip nail polish.
What You’ll Need
The above items are all you will need to remove no chip nail polish from the comfort of your home.
Continue reading below for step-by-step instructions.
1. Rough Up The Nail
Take a nail file and begin to rough up the nail.
Start at the edges of the nails so that the polish will more easily absorb the acetone remover.
By roughing up the nail, the polish will dissolve more quickly and easily.
2. Apply Acetone Soaked Cotton Ball To Nails
Take your 100% acetone nail polish remover and soak the cotton balls with it.
Apply the now-soaked cotton balls to your nails, ensuring that the cotton ball fully covers the area with the nail polish.
Be careful with the acetone nail polish. It can eat away at your table’s wood or plastic.
When soaking the cotton balls, take caution to ensure you do not spill on your table.
3. Wrap Aluminum Foil Around Finger
Once you have applied the acetone-soaked cotton balls to your nails, take several pieces of aluminum foil and wrap them around your finger.
Doing this will allow the soaked cotton balls to remain adhered to your nails and that the acetone does not drip off onto your table surface.
4. Leave On For 5-10 Minutes
After securing the acetone-soaked cotton ball onto your nails with aluminum foil, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
Depending on how much you roughed up your nails before applying the cotton balls, this process should be sped up.
It will also depend on the number of nail polish layers you have on your nails, including base coat, topcoat, and colored lacquer.
5. Remove Foil From Fingers
Once it has reached about 5 minutes, remove the aluminum foil.
Check the first couple of fingers to see if most of the polish has been removed.
If not, re-wrap the foil on the fingers and allow it to sit on your nails for longer.
Be sure to quickly dispose of the foil once you have removed it so that the acetone from the cotton balls does not damage your working surface.
6. Remove Remaining Polish
Using a tool, such as a wooden chopstick, begin to remove any nail polish that may remain on your nails.
Gently scrape away any remaining nail polish, but do not be too rough on the nails, skin, and cuticles.
7. Lightly Buff Nails
Using a nail buffer, continue to remove the remaining nail polish from the surface of the nail.
Lightly buff the nail surface to remove nail polish that the cotton balls, acetone, and the wooden chopstick could not be removed.
8. Apply Cuticle Oil And Nail Strengthener
Once all nail polish has been entirely removed, you can begin to apply cuticle oil to your cuticles.
Doing this will help to moisturize and hydrate your nails.
In addition, you can use a coat of nail strengthener to protect and nourish your nails after having been soaked in acetone and not receiving as much oxygen under the nail polish.
Video Instructions
- Step 1 (:25) — Rough up nail
- Step 2 (:47) — Apply cotton ball with acetone to nail
- Step 3 (:52) — Wrap aluminum foil around finger
- Step 4 (1:02) — Leave on for 5-10 minutes
- Step 5 (1:10) — Remove foil
- Step 6 (1:13) — Remove remaining polish
- Step 7 (1:27) — Lightly buff nail
- Step 8 (1:36) — Apply cuticle oil and nail strengthener
FAQ
Can I Use This Method To Remove A Dip Manicure?
You can use this soaking method, but the timing will be different.
Dip manicures are meant to last even longer on nails, so the polish can be tougher to remove from your nails.
For a dip manicure, you will leave the aluminum foil-covered acetone cotton balls for at least 25 to 30 minutes.
Is It Necessary To Complete The Final Step?
Technically no, but it is essential to utilize cuticle oil and nail strengtheners for the long-term health of the nails.
While the nail polish is a nice decoration, it can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your nails.
In addition, depending on the type of nail polish, it may have toxins that are bad for your nails. Using cuticle oils and nail strengtheners, you can help to improve your nail polish by hydrating, moisturizing, and nourishing your nails.
Can I Avoid Using Acetone To Remove No Chip Nail Polish?
Yes, you can, but it may take a more extended period.
Acetone can end up dehydrating your nails, cuticles, and skin, leading to brittle nails and dry and irritated cuticles.
If you want to avoid acetone, you can soak your nails in warm water with dish soap and salt. Similar to the above method, you want your nails soaking for at least 20 minutes before you attempt to start removing the nail polish.
Do No Chip Nail Polish Manicures Ruin Nails?
Occasional no-chip manicures are not necessarily harmful to your health.
Frequent no-chip nail polish manicures are not recommended.
The concern comes with the UV light used to cure the nail, which is associated with risks of skin cancer.
In addition, removing the no-chip nail polish requires the soaking of nails in acetone, which may cause nails to be more susceptible to infections.