Nail Exam: How To Remove Dip Powder Nails In Easy Steps

Do you want to remove nail dip powder at home? Did you know that a regular nail polish remover cannot completely remove dipped powder on your nails? Currently, there are two main methods for cleaning dip powder nails, in which both methods require the use of acetone (nail polish remover).

Read our article below to learn more about how to remove dip powder nails with and without acetone step-by-step.

Remove Dip Power Nails Using Acetone

Acetone is a chemical solvent commonly used to decompose organic materials. Acetone is by far the easiest and fastest method to remove dip powder at home. Many nail salons use acetone to remove residual acrylic powder because it is extremely effective. The downside is that this corrosive chemical can damage your nails if used too often, so use it sparingly.

Acetone takes about 10-15 minutes to completely remove the nail dip powder on your nails.

Learn more about Acetone, here.

Method 1: Wrap Your Nails in Acetone-soaked Cotton and Foil

Truong says you'll be very familiar with these steps if you've ever had to take off your gels in a pinch. Unlike gels, you won't need to scrape the color off as much. The process requires minimal materials, most of which you'll likely already have on hand if you paint your nails.

Step 1: Gather your materials:

Pure acetone (regular nail polish remover won't work here), aluminum foil, cotton balls, a 180-grit file, orangewood sticks, a buffer block, and cuticle oil. Make sure to cut your foil into small squares that will fit around the tip of your finger, then cut your cotton balls into pieces big enough to cover your entire nail.

Step 2: File down polish:

Start by gently pushing your cuticles back with an orangewood stick. Then, using the grittier side of your nail file, buff away about two-thirds of the polish from your nails, being careful not to file down to your nail bed. Brush away any excess dust.

Step 3: Apply cotton and foil:

While working on one nail at a time, lay a two-by-two-inch square under your finger. Saturate a cotton ball with your acetone remover and place it on top of your nail. Tightly wrap the foil around the cotton ball, and repeat on each nail.

Step 4: Remove the foil

After 10 to 15 minutes, remove the foil one nail at a time, wiggling it with the cotton ball. Rewrap and soak. Don't pick it.

Step 5: Buff and nourish

Once most of the dip is removed, use your nail file to buff the entire surface of all your nails gently. Brush away any dust and follow with a soft buffing block. Then apply cuticle oil to your nail beds and massage it into each nail.

Figure 01. Remove the dip powder in acetone-soaked cotton and foil.

Method 2: Soak the Dip Powder Nails in Acetone

Step 1: Gather materials

You'll need a large bowl, two sheets of paper towels, two plastic sandwich bags, 100% pure acetone, and cuticle oil.

Step 2: Heat water

Fill the bowl with water about halfway, and microwave it for about two minutes. You want the water to be hot but not scalding, so it doesn't burn you.

Step 3: Prepare paper towels.

Take one paper towel, fold it half, and place it at the bottom of each sandwich bag. Then pour in enough acetone to saturate the paper towel.

Step 4: Protect your hands

Cover your hands in cuticle oil, leaving your nails bare. You could also use hand cream, but oil makes a better barrier. This will help prevent the acetone from drying out the rest of your hands while your polish soaks.

Step 5: Soak

Set a timer for four to five minutes. Place your hand inside the sandwich bag and nestle your nails between the folded paper towel. Then put the whole bag into the hot water.

Step 6: Finishing touches

Rinse away any residue and acetone, then buff away any lingering dip polish with a nail file. If your cuticles stick, gently use a cuticle nipper to chip it off or try soaking for another minute. Buff again, and finish with cuticle oil on all your nails.

Figure 02. Removing dip powder by soaking the dip powder nails in acetone.

How To Remove Dip Power Nails Without Acetone

Acetone is a useful material to remove your dip powder nails, though some other alternative ways are even less harmful to your nails and skin without using acetone.

Method 3: Remove Dip Powder Using Oil, Soap & Water

Step 1: Gather materials:

You will need some oil, dish soap, hot water, and a cuticle pusher.

Step 2: Push from underneath your nails:

Use a cuticle pusher or a nail tip to gently push underneath the sides of your nails. This helps to loosen the nails up and allows the water and oil mixture to seep under.

Step 3: Apply oil:

Apply some oil directly onto your nails.

Step 4: Soak your nails:

Use a large bowl to mix the hot water with your oil and dish soap. Then, you can soak your nails into the mixture for around 20 minutes.

Step 5:  Start removing your dip powder nails:

Once your nails have soaked, you can use your cuticle pusher to gently lift the dip nails up to remove them.

If your nails are still struggling to come off, you can resoak them again.

Method 4: Remove Dip Powder Using a Nail File

Step 1:

You can choose between a 100/180 grit nail file, and an electric nail file does this method.

Step 2:

Use a nail clipper to cut off any nail extensions.

Step 3:

Use the 100-grit part of the nail file to remove the bulk of the colored dip powder.

Step 4:

Once the colored dip powder has been removed, use the 180-grit part of the nail file to smooth out your nails.

Dip Nail Removal Aftercare

No matter which method you choose to remove your dip powder, you should give your nails some downtime between manicures to prevent them from breaking and becoming brittle. Directly after removal, apply some cuticle oil or a heavy-duty hand lotion to nourish your nails and cuticles since acetone can be extremely drying.

Visit the Nail Exams Website to learn more about the Nail Technician Exam and get advice on how to pass the exams and get your Nail Technician License.

With the Nail Test App, we provide a series of state-by-state and exam-like tests that will prepare you for the Nail Technician Exam.