How to Remove Dip Powder Nails at Home, According to Nail Pros

Fans of dip manicures love the longevity factor, which can make removing the manicure a little inconvenient and time-consuming. According to Elle Gerstein, nail damage can occur with improper removal, so every step must be followed and performed thoroughly. “Some nail salon technicians do not take the time to remove the dip correctly,” she says. “Home removal is also challenging because of angles and using the non-dominant hand to remove properly.”

A Step-by-Step Guide to Dip Powder Manicure Removal

Ever since the dip manicure burst onto the nail scene a few years ago (they first debuted in the 1980s, but it didn’t catch on for a while), it’s become a mainstay among manicures. The longest-lasting option of all types of polish, the dip powder manicure involves layering pigmented acrylic polymer powder with a liquid hardener for a super shiny, durable result. Fans of dip manis love its chip-free effect, and some swear by its strengthening powers for growing long nails that are resistant to breakage.

Like gel manicures, there’s a right and wrong way to remove dip powder from the nails. Of course, a professional removal session, when done correctly, is the way to go. But if you have to take matters into your own hands, it’s possible, although time-consuming, to remove dip polish at home. Whichever route you go, proper removal is imperative to prevent nail damage.

The Benefits of Dip Powder

The durability of dip powder is due to its formula, which consists of multiple resins and fine acrylic powder pigment layers that create a thick, shell-like coating on the nails. Rita Pinto says a dip powder manicure involves applying a bond and dip base to the nails before dipping each finger into powder, then brushing off the excess and setting it with a topcoat. “Dip powder is completely odorless and doesn’t rely on UV light or fans to cure or dry the manicure,” she says. “Instead, dip manicures are lightweight, durable, and fortify the nails with vitamins and calcium.”

meet the expert

• Rita Pinto is the founder of New York City nail salon Vanity Projects.
• Elle Gerstein is a celebrity manicurist.
• Mazz Hanna is the CEO of Nailing Hollywood Agency.

Fans of dip manicures love the longevity factor, which can make removing the manicure a little inconvenient and time-consuming. According to Elle Gerstein, nail damage can occur with improper removal, so every step must be followed and performed thoroughly. “Some nail salon technicians do not take the time to remove the dip correctly,” she says. “Home removal is also challenging because of angles and using the non-dominant hand to remove properly.”

The Right Way to Remove Dip

No matter who is removing the dip, there are a few necessary tools to have on hand, including nail clippers, a nail buffer and file with grit, pure acetone (organic nail polish remover won’t work), cotton balls, an orange stick, a towel, cuticle oil, and a big bowl.

First, your nail technician (or you) should buff off as much dip powder as possible using a coarse nail file. Mazz Hanna admits that this step can be tedious, but worth it. “Filing away the utmost amount of product allows for less soaking and scraping time,” she says.

After buffing the nails, soak them in an acetone bath (one to two inches of nail polish remover should fill up a bowl) for 10 to 20 minutes, repeating as necessary. Submerge only the nail plate in the acetone, not the entire finger — since the skin can become dry from the acetone.

The soaking portion is complete when the polish starts to lift and melt away. Then, your nail tech should use an orange stick to scrape off the remainder of the dip. Forcing the polish off the nails with aggressive filing or drills can wear them down and damage the nail plate. Instead, Gerstein recommends keeping scraping to a minimum to preserve nail health.

How to Care for Nails Post-Dip Removal

Hydrating the nails with a good nail cream, like Dior Creme Abricot, is necessary to prevent peeling and breakage. A gentle buffing will also help to even out the nails and eliminate any rough or jagged edges, giving a smoother finish. While most manicurists will remove the dip and reapply a fresh application, some prefer to keep the nails bare (especially if they are damaged or weak) so they can breathe for a few days before reapplying dip powder.

If you’re taking a break from dip powder but still want long-lasting results, Hanna recommends Dazzle Dry, a unique healthy lacquer system that dries in minutes, lasts up to one week or longer, and removes like traditional nail polish. “I’ve seen Dazzle Dry improve damaged nails with a few applications,” she says. “It’s fortified with vitamins that help strengthen natural nails, making it a great alternative to dipping.”

How to Remove Dip Powder Nails at Home, According to Nail Pros

Manicure techs share their top tips and tricks for removing dip nails on your own.

Dip powder nails are a go-to choice for mani lovers thanks to their chip-resistant shine and longer wear time than a natural manicure and even gel polish manicures. Also known as SNS nails (a brand of dip powder created by CND), dip powder combines a type of nail glue and colored acrylic powder to develop a durable manicure without requiring UV light to cure the polish.

However, since dip powder nails are applied by layering resin and powder, it creates a thicker manicure that can be more difficult to remove on your own without risking damage to your natural nails — even more so than removing gel nail polish. “A con to using dip powder is that it is a process to remove, and the fact you must remove it all in order to do a new set,” says Lexi Suga, nail expert and owner of Notox Nails in Beverly Hills, CA.

Like removing acrylics, it’s generally recommended to have your dip powder nails removed by a professional, but with patience and a lot of care you can safely remove the dip powder formula at home and keep your nails healthy and happy. Here’s how to remove dip powder nails at home safely and effectively, according to Suga:

Tools you’ll need:

Step 1: Cut the extensions and file down the color.

Using the nail clipper, trim off any false tips until the length matches that of your natural nails beneath. Next, it’s time to deal with the nail color: Remember, you have layers of the resin and powder mix on your nails, so you will want to file down the color to make the removal process more manageable.

“In order to remove dip nails, it’s important to file the color down as much as possible,” Suga says, which will help facilitate the removal process using acetone. “Make it very thin so that the acetone can soak through quickly,” she advises. “If you are familiar with using an e-file, it’s an even better option to speed up the process.”

Note: E-files or nail drills, often used by professionals, can damage your natural nails. If you aren’t versed in the process, opt for a traditional nail file instead.

Step 2: Soak your nails in a bowl of acetone.

Soaking your nails in acetone will remove the polish — but don’t be alarmed if this takes some time. “I recommend submerging them for 10 minutes, then gently scraping off as much of the excess as you can,” Suga says. If the polish doesn’t budge when it’s nudged, even after 10 minutes, it’s a sign you need to soak for longer.

Step 3: Gently scrape off the remaining polish.

For the scraping process, utilize the wooden cuticle pusher and scrape away from your cuticle bed toward the top of your nail. “If there is still dip powder on your nails, repeat this process again until it is fully removed,” Suga says. And be patient: “Don’t rush the removal process because you can damage your nail beds,” she warns. “Also, don’t ever rip the dip powder nails off, as you can cause severe trauma to your nails.”

Step 4: Give your natural nails some TLC.

After you remove the dip powder formula from your nails, you will want to take good care of your natural nails. File your nails to your preferred shape and buff your nails. “Apply cuticle oil to the cuticles and a strengthening polish on the nails after you are finished if you do not intend on reapplying,” Suga recommends.

Can you remove dip powder without acetone?

As for the more “natural” dip powder nail removal techniques some online, nail pros say steer clear. “There are hacks that suggest soaking nails in acetone substitutions like white vinegar and alcohol or using baking soda and toothpaste mix, but I do not recommend these options,” she explains. “If you want to fully remove the dip powder safely and effectively, I strongly suggest utilizing acetone.”

Danielle James is the Digital Beauty Director of ELLE.com. Previously, she was the Fashion and Beauty Director of HelloBeautiful.com and MadameNoire.com. She’s written for The Cut, InStyle, Allure, The Business of Fashion, Nylon, Essence, Good Housekeeping, and more. She enjoys sailing, thrifting, Japanese whiskey, Naomi Campbell’s runway walk, and Rihanna in the comment section.