How to remove L&P acrylic nail enhancements safely

Whilst it is tempting to try remove nail enhancements as quickly as possible, correct removal requires professional attention to prevent damage to the natural nail. Here’s how it should be done…

Each type of nail enhancement requires a specific method of removal, and the time this takes varies. While UV gel-based systems tend to soak off with acetone in 10-20 minutes, hard gel requires file or buff-off removal, which can be sped up by a nail professional using an E-file.

L&P acrylic nail enhancements are created using a two-part system of liquid (monomer) and powder (polymer). Read more about the L&P system here. The time it takes to remove L&P acrylic depends on the monomer used. Marian Newman BEM explains on the NailKnowledge website that ‘if it is an MMA monomer, this will take several hours and will need buffing off’. EMA monomers will usually come off after around 30 minutes of soaking in acetone.

Methods of removal can be sped up using a variety of techniques, but our main advice is to go to a nail tech for professional removal. Incorrect nail enhancement removal can severely damage nails, as award-winning nail pro & Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education founder, Katie Clark, writes: “When the nail enhancement is picked, prised or pulled off, it will rip up layers of the natural nail plate. When L&P and gel enhancements are applied, maintained and removed correctly, no damage should occur.”

Nail techs can remove L&P acrylic enhancements by soaking the enhancements in acetone. This can be done in two ways:

1. Soaking nails in a bowl of acetone for around 30 minutes.
2. Placing a cotton pad soaked in acetone around the nail and wrapping this in tin foil or nail removal clips to secure it in place.

As the acrylic swells and breaks up, nail techs can use a cuticle pusher or similar, to gently push the product off the nail. However, care should be taken, as being too rough can cause natural nail damage.

Once the removal process is complete, it is essential to rehydrate the nails and perform correct aftercare to restore strength to the natural nail.

Most people will want enhancements reapplied after removal. As Katie Clark writes: “Nothing is gained by removing nail enhancements for a few weeks or months before reapplying them. Since the nails do not need to ‘breathe’, there is no benefit in waiting to reapply nail enhancements.”

Scratch recommends visiting a professional nail technician for appropriate application and removal of nail enhancement products, such as L&P, gel and acrygel.