When I walk out of the salon with a fresh set of acrylic nails and one of this year's hottest manicure trends (or a fun summer nail color), I instantly feel put together for the next three weeks. That is, until they begin to lift, crack, or grow out, and I'm left debating whether to make a nail appointment or remove my acrylics at home. And since life doesn't always allow time for a salon visit, knowing how to take them off myself, without damaging my natural nails, is a handy skill.
"It's important to soak off acrylics rather than forcefully removing them, since that can cause serious damage to your natural nail," says LeChat Nails educator Syreeta Aaron. Peeling them off can strip away layers of the nail itself, she adds, which weakens the overall structure and makes them more prone to breakage.
