To soak off acrylic nails in acetone effectively, the typical recommended duration is about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the method and the acrylic type:
- Soaking your nails directly in 100% acetone for about 10 to 15 minutes usually softens the acrylic enough to start gently scraping it off with a cuticle pusher
- Some guides suggest soaking for 20 to 30 minutes, especially when using acetone-soaked cotton balls wrapped with aluminum foil on each nail to keep the acetone in contact and warm, which accelerates the process
- For tougher acrylics or if MMA (a harder-to-remove acrylic ingredient) was used, soaking may take longer or require additional filing before soaking
- The process often involves repeating soaking and gentle scraping multiple times until the acrylic is fully removed, with total soak time sometimes reaching around 20-25 minutes or more
In summary, soaking acrylic nails in acetone for about 10 to 30 minutes is standard, with 20-30 minutes being common for thorough removal, especially when using foil wraps or acetone-soaked cotton. Patience and gentle scraping during and after soaking help avoid damage to the natural nails
