Bottom Line Acetone is still the most effective way to
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.
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.
A nailpolish remover composition is disclosed. This composition comprises 30-60% acetone, 10-35% ethyl acetate, 5-20% ethyl alcohol, 5-20% water and 3-15% glycerin, wherein the percentages are on a volume basis, and the ethyl alcohol solubilizes the glycerin in the acetone.
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.
It can also damage the skin in your mouth. Skin contact can damage your skin. The smell of acetone and the irritation it can cause are good warning signs. They can help you avoid breathing higher levels of acetone that could hurt you.
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.
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.
Keratin granulation
If you remove your nail polish only to find that part of your nail is white and dry underneath, you may have this common condition. It's caused by wearing toenail polish for too long. If you have this, it's best to let your nails heal for a while.
Acetone should not be used on 1-part paints or varnish coatings, and it is very important to test or know compatibility on plastics or any other materials (beyond wood, metal, epoxy, and polyester resin). Acetone should never be used on clear windows, lenses, or clear plastics.
Alcohol or acetone
This should be avoided completely as they can burn the newly healing wound tissues, making full healing hard to achieve.
MEK is favored for its strength over acetone, as it boils at a higher temperature and has a slower evaporation rate. It has a boiling point of 175.4°F (79.64°C), a molar mass of 72.11 g/mol, and a molecular density of 0.8049 g/mL.
MEK or Methyl Ethyl Ketone is stronger than Acetone, because it has a slower evaporation rate and boils at a higher temperature. These differences are why MEK can be a stronger cleaning agent than acetone.
MEK – This solvent is typically considered to be a stronger cleaning agent than acetone as it has a lower evaporation rate than acetone and a higher boiling point.
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.
According to Boyce, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer are two of the best ways to remove polish without needing an acetone remover. "Apply some to a cotton ball or pad and place it on your nail," Boyce says. "Let it sit for about 10 seconds and gently rub it back-and-forth.
Place each open baggie of acetone gently in each bowl of water. Then, place fingertips inside the baggies, submerging them in the warm water. Allow nails to soak for 10–15 minutes.
Soak a cotton ball with acetone and place it on your nail. Using 100% pure acetone is the key to success. Then grab your aluminum foil and wrap it around the nail and the cotton ball. To make the best of your time, do one hand at a time and ensure each nail is covered.
“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.
Egg yolk and milk soak
Brittle and weak nails can also be a result of lack of proteins and calcium. Egg yolk and milk are both rich in protein and calcium and help fortify the nails.
Did you know that wiping your bare nails with white vinegar will help to remove excess oils and serves as a natural cleanser pre-mani? Swipe each nail with vinegar on a cotton swab and let them air dry to ensure a clean slate for your manicure. Then, apply base coat, polish, and top coat.