What is the primary effect of acetone on nails?

Acetone is primarily known for its effective use as a nail polish remover. It works quickly to dissolve nail polish, making the removal process much faster than other solvents. However, one of its significant downsides is that it can also dry out the nails and surrounding skin. This is particularly important to note, as overuse of acetone can lead to brittle nails and a lack of moisture, which may require the use of moisturizing products afterward to restore hydration.

In contrast, options such as adding moisture to the nails or strengthening the nail bed do not accurately represent acetone's properties. Acetone does not have moisturizing characteristics, and its drying effect does not contribute to the strengthening of the nail bed. Changing the nail color is also not relevant in this context, as acetone is primarily used for removing color rather than altering it. Thus, the correct understanding of acetone highlights both its rapid polish-removing capability and its potential to dry out nails, making this choice the most accurate.