You spent a pretty penny on acrylic nails to add some oomph to your hands, but after a few weeks, it’s time to say farewell to your falsies. Maybe your natural nail is growing out and the acrylics look uneven, or perhaps you’re just sick and tired of having long nails. Do not try yanking, pulling, tugging or biting off the acrylics – this is a recipe for disaster that can damage your natural nails. Instead, soak them in nail polish remover to soften the acrylic so it comes off easily.

Remove any nail polish from the acrylics using cotton balls and nail polish remover. Cut the false nails with fingernail clippers so the length falls just above the skin on your fingertips.

Fill a glass bowl with about one inch of acetone nail polish remover. Rub petroleum jelly over the skin around your fingernails to help protect them from irritation from the nail polish remover.

Place your fingertips into the nail polish remover, working on one hand at a time. Lay a small towel over your soaking hand and the bowl and soak for 10 minutes.

Remove your hand from the bowl. Use a cuticle pusher to gently scrape the acrylic from the natural nail, starting at the base of the nail bed and working your way to the tip.

Soak your nails again for 10 minutes. Scrape away more of the acrylic with the cuticle pusher. Repeat this process of soaking for 10 minutes then scraping, until the acrylic is completely gone. Do the same with the other hand.

Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Dry them with a towel, then buff each nail lightly with a nail buffer to smooth out any rough spots.