The Nail Lab Nail Technician Thea Phan added, “In the beauty industry, acetone is great for removing nail polish, gel colour and acrylic nails, and prepping the nail for a new coat of nail polish. Salons normally use a 70- 90 per cent acetone solution during manicures.”
Board-certified dermatologist and nail care expert Dana Stern told HuffPost that acetone can cause major dehydration to the cells of the nail, and it's worse for us than many of the products we use to beautify. If your nails are already dry and brittle, acetone is only going to amplify that condition.
Not all '100%' acetone is made the same. In fact, they differ in their purities (99.50% to 99.99%) and the contents of the impurities (the ones that make up the other 0.01% to 0.50%). While all 99.50% to 99.99% acetones can be considered "100%", the contents of the impurities assign them to different grades.
“Nail techs should use at least 99% acetone, but some sell poor grade acetone that is mislabeled as 100% acetone, when it is not,” says Schoon. Therefore, Schoon recommends that you test the grade you purchase to ensure it does not contain oily contaminants.
However, the most effective way to remove acrylic off your nail is soaking your nails in pure acetone, which helps to melt off the gel/acrylic to prevent excessive scraping and peeling. Logan also suggests investing in a manicure bowl, cotton balls, foil paper, nail file and a wooden stick.
If you don't have remover clips and are also out of foil and cotton balls (times are tough, we hear you), try this second method. Pour acetone into a small bowl and submerge your fingers. It will take about 20 to 30 minutes to break down your acrylics.
First things first, you're going to need 100% pure acetone to help you get the job done. Pure acetone is a very harsh chemical that can ruin many surfaces, so once you've gathered your tools, be sure to properly cover the area where you're going to be removing your acrylics.
JND 100% pure acetone is ideal solvent for any salon that requires instant, fast and effective removal of nail polish, soak-off gel, acrylics, or nail extensions. This is the purest form of acetone you can buy which is not watered down, so your results will be the best 100% of the time.
There are 2 methods of removal, either 'soak' or 'wrap', but both require 100% pure acetone which you can buy at Big W, or Bunnings.
Beauty Secrets Pure Acetone Manicurist Solvent is a professional salon formula for removal of sculptured nails and tips.
Basically, there are two different kinds of nail polish removers: acetone and non-acetone. Most brands carry both types--it's usually stated right on the front label. Both types contain a solvent (like acetone) that works by dissolving the hard film that's left on your nails by the ingredients in the polish.
Acetone is a liquid solvent that can break down and dissolve other substances. Companies include acetone in products such as nail polish remover, paint remover, and varnish remover. Some also use acetone to manufacture plastics, lacquers, and textiles.
Methyl acetate is a suitable substitute for acetone due to its lower environmental impact, reduced toxicity, and less flammable nature. It has similar solvency properties as acetone, making it effective in paint, coating, and adhesive production.
If there's one thing you don't want to do to your nails or your skin, it's soaking them in acetone. Soaking your nails for long periods to break down nail polish or gel is far from ideal, and can cause some serious irritations. Acetone can dehydrate the nail bed, cuticles, and skin.
Soak. There are two ways you can approach this step, say Vieira and Diamante. The first is to fill a glass bowl with acetone or nail polish remover, place that bowl in a larger bowl of hot water to warm the acetone or remover, and soak your nails for 10 minutes.
Acetone can be beneficial when used as a solvent, so it is normally used in nail salons to remove old nail polish and to prep nails for new color. Acetone, as a solvent, can break down and dissolve many substances ranging from nail polish to varnish or paint. In fact, it's naturally found in the body, too.
There are two main types of nail polish remover: acetone and non-acetone. Acetone is a powerful solvent that can quickly break down even the toughest nail polish, while non-acetone removers are gentler and less harsh on your nails.
Differences between Acetone and Nail Polish Remover
Acetone is a volatile, flammable and colorless liquid that is miscible with water. On the other hand, nail polish remover is an organic solvent that may include coloring, scents, oils, and solvents.
"These lipids help with the skin's natural repair process. Breaking them down can cause skin to become brittle and dry and prevent it from holding moisture," she shares, noting that these effects can be exacerbated by frequent use. "A constant use of acetone can make your nails brittle and weaken them," Dr.
USP Grade – USP grade acetone is the purest grade of acetone, being 99.9% free of impurities and safe for medical and pharmaceutical use.
Acetone is stronger and takes polish off more easily, but it dries out the nails. So, if you use acetone it's advisable to then use a cream or oil to replace the moisture. Acetone polish removers are preferred when prepping natural nails, since you want the natural oils removed at this stage of a manicure.
Traditional nail polish removers
Nail polish removers have high concentrations of acetone in the range of 30%-60%. Because the task of a nail polish remover is to dissolve the hard film left on your nails by the ingredients in the polish, acetone is usually the first choice by most manufacturers. Why?
“Acetone softens the acrylic,” explains Choi. “It gradually melts the acrylic to make removal easier.” The foil method: If you want to reduce the damage to your skin, and free up your fingers faster, you can try the same method your nail artist uses to soak off gel nail polish.