Wash your hands with soap and warm water
Clip the acrylic nails as short as possible
File the topcoat/bulk of the acrylic off gently with a coarse nail file until the surface looks dull
Avoid filing through to your natural nail
Soak cotton in 100% acetone
Place the acetone-soaked cotton on each nail
Wrap each finger with aluminum foil to hold the cotton in place
Wait 20–45 minutes
Check every 5–10 minutes and stop once the acrylic is lifting or soft
Remove the foil and cotton
Gently slide off softened acrylic with a cuticle pusher
If acrylic doesn’t lift, re-soak for another 5–10 minutes
Buff the remaining thin layer gently with a fine buffer
Wash hands again to remove acetone residue
Apply cuticle oil or petroleum jelly to rehydrate the nails and surrounding skin
If any acrylic remains, do not force it—soak and gently repeat
If your nails feel sore, stop and allow a day of rest before trying again