Isla Bennett
Shellac manicures are designed to be semi-permanent, so it is important to avoid picking, biting, or tearing off the polish, as this can damage the nail bed and leave your nails vulnerable to breaking. While it is recommended to have shellac nails removed professionally at a salon, it is possible to do so at home with the right tools and removal technique.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Acetone, cotton pads/wool, foil, nail filer, petroleum jelly, cuticle oil, nail buffer, wooden cuticle stick, soap, hand cream, nail scissors |
| Steps | File the polished nail to remove the glossiness, soak cotton pads/wool in acetone and wrap around the nail, wrap the nail with foil, wait 10-20 minutes, gently push off the softened polish, wash hands, moisturise |
| Precautions | Do not pick, bite, rip, force or scratch the nail, do not use nail scissors, do not use super glue or other adhesives, do not file through the nail plate, do not use metal cuticle sticks |
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What You'll Learn
Do not pick, bite, tear or force shellac off your nails
Don't pick, bite, tear, or force shellac off your nails. This is because doing so will leave your nails weak, vulnerable to damage, and liable to break. You may also damage your nail bed, which can lead to a long recovery time.
Instead, if you want to remove shellac nails at home, you can follow these steps:
- File your nails to remove the shiny top layer of shellac.
- Soak cotton wool or cotton balls in acetone (90% acetone or more is best, but 60% will work).
- Place the acetone-soaked cotton on each nail, then wrap your fingers with foil to secure the cotton in place.
- Wait 5-20 minutes, then check if the gel has started to lift and soften.
- Remove the foil and cotton and use a cuticle stick to gently push off the softened polish.
If you don't have a cuticle stick, you can use dental floss to gently remove the remaining bits of product.
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Use a nail buffer to gently smooth your nails
Using a nail buffer is the final step in removing shellac nail polish at home. Before you reach for the nail buffer, you should have already soaked your nails in an acetone bath, removed the foil and cotton pad, and carefully scraped off the remaining polish with a cuticle stick.
Now, it's time to grab your nail buffer. Use the less coarse side of the buffer to gently smooth your nails. This should remove any remaining spots of polish. Be careful not to overdo it, as you don't want to damage your nail plate. The aim is to be gentle to avoid damaging your nail.
After using the nail buffer, it's important to moisturize your nails. This step is an absolute must! You can use various products, such as cuticle oil or coconut oil, to help with nail repair.
It's worth noting that while removing shellac nail polish at home is possible, it's not recommended by experts. The safest way to remove shellac nail polish is by going back to the salon. However, if you want to do it yourself at home, be sure to get the necessary supplies and follow safe removal steps closely.
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Soak nails in an acetone bath
So, you've decided to remove your shellac nails at home. While it's always best to have a professional do it, it is possible to do it yourself. Just be sure to get the necessary supplies and follow the safe removal steps closely. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating an acetone bath to remove your shellac nail polish:
Firstly, trim and file your nails. Be careful not to file through the nail plate. Try to leave a layer of the base coat on the nail. You can use a nail buffer to gently smooth your nails and remove any remaining spots. Then, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any excess product.
Next, grab a small bowl and fill it with acetone. You can use pure acetone, but it can be very drying, so it's recommended to use a nail polish remover with an acetone content of at least 60%. Place your nails in the bowl and let them soak for 10 to 20 minutes. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you may want to apply a light layer of petroleum jelly or cuticle oil around your nails before soaking them in acetone, as this can be very drying.
While your nails are soaking, periodically check to see if the shellac has started to lift and soften. When it's ready, the shellac should be flakey and may even look gooey. Remove your nails from the acetone bath and use a wooden cuticle stick to gently push off the softened polish. Be careful not to force or scrape too hard, as this can damage your natural nail bed.
If there are any stubborn spots of shellac remaining, simply repeat the acetone bath process for another five minutes or so.
Finally, moisturize your nails. This step is crucial, as acetone can suck the moisture out of your nails. You can use cuticle oil, coconut oil, or a good quality hand cream to rehydrate your skin and nails.
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File the nails, then wash and dry your hands
File the nails, taking care not to go through the nail plate. Try to leave a layer of the base coat on the nail. You can use a block buffer or a very soft nail file. Filing the nails will remove the glossiness of the shellac and make it easier to remove.
Once you have filed the nails, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining product. It's important to remove all traces of the product before proceeding to the next step. Dry your hands thoroughly.
If your hands are feeling dry, you may want to apply some cuticle oil or moisturiser to your hands and nails at this point. Acetone can dry out your nails, so it's important to rehydrate them. However, some sources recommend applying cuticle oil or moisturiser after removing the shellac, so you may prefer to wait until after the next step.
Now your nails are filed, washed, and dried, you can proceed to the next step of removing shellac nail polish at home: soaking your nails in acetone.
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Moisturise your nails after removing shellac
Shellac manicures are designed to be semi-permanent, so it's important to avoid picking or peeling the polish off your nails. This can weaken your nails, making them vulnerable to damage and liable to break. Instead, use a cuticle stick to gently push off the softened polish.
After removing shellac nail polish, it's important to moisturise your nails. Acetone can be harsh on the skin and nails, so it's a good idea to apply a light layer of petroleum jelly or cuticle oil to your nails before wrapping them in foil to protect them. After removing the shellac polish, you should generously moisturise your nails with cuticle oil and rub some lotion on your skin. You can also use Dr. Remedy's, a breathable product that helps restore nail health and ward off infection.
If you don't have cuticle oil, you can use other products to moisturise your nails. For example, you could try a light layer of petroleum jelly or a product like cubical oil to rehydrate your skin. You could also try massaging some cuticle oil into your cuticles and nails and washing your hands with soap to remove any excess product.
Remember, the aim is to be gentle to avoid damaging your nail plate. It can take several months for a damaged nail to be fully replaced, so it's important to take care of your nails after removing shellac polish.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a nail buffer, acetone, cotton wool, foil, and a wooden cuticle stick. First, use the nail buffer to file your nails and remove the top layer of shellac. Then, soak the cotton wool in acetone and place it on your nails, wrapping them in foil to keep the cotton in place. Leave this for 10-20 minutes, then remove the foil and cotton and use the wooden cuticle stick to gently push off the shellac.
You should not pick, tear, bite, or cut your nails as this can damage the nail bed and lead to infections. You should also avoid forcing or scraping your nails too hard.
The process should take around 20-30 minutes.
