Sophia Delgado
Shellac and gel manicures are designed to be semi-permanent, so it's important to remove them safely to avoid damaging your nails. While it's best to get hard gels removed professionally, soft gels such as Shellac can be safely removed at home with a few simple tools. Here's a step-by-step guide to removing shellac gel nails without damaging your natural nails.
How to remove shellac gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Nail file, cotton balls/strips/pads/wool, foil, cuticle stick/pusher, nail buffer, acetone remover, petroleum jelly, hand cream, cuticle oil |
| Steps | File the polished nails to remove the shiny layer, soak cotton in acetone and place over nails, wrap nails with foil, wait 10-20 minutes, scrape off softened polish, repeat acetone step if needed, moisturise with hand cream or cuticle oil |
| Tips | Do not pick at the nails, do not use pure acetone frequently as it dries out the skin, apply a protective layer of petroleum jelly or cuticle oil around the nails before wrapping to protect the skin |
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What You'll Learn
Don't pick at your shellac gel nails
Shellac gel nails are super long-lasting and give you a shiny, glossy manicure that can last for up to two weeks. But what happens when your nails start to grow out, and you want to remove your shellac gel nails? Well, the first thing to know is that you should not pick at your shellac gel nails.
Picking at your shellac gel nails can cause more harm than good. When you pick at your shellac gel nails, you risk damaging the nail bed, which can lead to a long recovery time. The nail bed is the delicate area of skin underneath your nail plate, and it is essential for nail health. Picking at your shellac gel nails can also cause your nails to become weak, vulnerable to damage, and more prone to lifting, cracking, and breaking. Additionally, picking at your shellac gel nails can create a rough, flaky surface, making future gel applications less smooth and more likely to lift. This can also make your nails more susceptible to fungal or bacterial infections.
Instead of picking at your shellac gel nails, it is recommended to use a gentle removal process, such as soaking your nails in acetone or using a nail file to buff away the polish. This will help to ensure that your nails remain healthy and strong. It is also important to note that if you have hard gel nails, it is best to have them removed professionally, as attempting to remove them yourself can cause severe damage to your nails.
If you are removing your shellac gel nails at home, it is essential to follow the correct steps to avoid damage. First, use a nail file to gently buff away the shiny layer of polish until it becomes opaque. Be careful not to file down to your actual nail, as this can cause damage. Soak cotton balls or cotton wool in nail polish remover with an acetone content of 60% or more, or pure acetone, and place them on your nails. Then, wrap your nails with foil squares to keep the cotton in place and allow the nail to soak for 10 to 20 minutes. Finally, gently scrape off the softened polish, and repeat the acetone step if needed. Be sure to moisturize your hands and nails afterward to rehydrate your skin.
By avoiding picking at your shellac gel nails and following a gentle removal process, you can maintain the health and strength of your nails.
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Buff away the shiny layer
Buffing away the shiny layer of shellac or gel nail polish is the first step in removing this type of manicure at home. It is important to be gentle during this process, as over-filing your natural nail can cause damage. Using a soft nail buffer, gently buff away the shiny layer of polish until it takes on an opaque appearance. Be careful not to file down to your actual nail. A softer cardboard emery board is ideal for this step, as it will ensure you don't go too far.
This step will create a rough, flaky surface, which will allow the acetone to penetrate the nail more effectively. It is important to note that this method is specifically for removing shellac and soft gel manicures. Attempting to remove hard gels yourself can cause severe damage to your natural nails.
Once the shiny layer has been buffed away, you can move on to the next step of the removal process, which involves soaking your nails in acetone. This can be done by soaking cotton balls or cotton triangles in acetone and placing them on your nails, or by soaking your nails in a shallow bowl of acetone. After soaking, the shellac or gel polish should be softened and can be gently scraped off using a wooden cuticle stick or pusher.
It is important to prioritise nail health during the removal process. Therefore, it is recommended to apply cuticle oil to your cuticles before and after removing shellac or gel nail polish. This will provide a protective layer for your skin and help to nourish and moisturise your nails.
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Soak nails in acetone
Soaking your nails in acetone is an effective way to remove shellac gel nails at home. However, it is important to note that acetone can be very drying to your nails and skin. Therefore, it is recommended to not use it frequently and to always moisturise your hands and nails afterward to rehydrate the skin and maintain nail health.
To soak off shellac gel nails using acetone, start by gently buffing away the shiny layer of polish with a nail file until it becomes opaque. Be careful not to file down to your actual nail; a softer cardboard emery board can help ensure you don't go too far. Next, cut your chosen acetone-soaked material—cotton balls, cotton wool, or cotton pads—to fit each nail. Place the acetone-soaked material over each nail, then wrap a foil square around the finger to keep the cotton in contact with the nail.
Let your nails soak for 10 to 20 minutes. The polish should start to flake off at the edges. If there are stubborn sections, wrap the nail with foil and cotton again and soak for another five minutes. Finally, scrape off any remaining polish with a wooden cuticle stick. Repeat the acetone step if needed. Be sure to moisturise your hands and nails afterward to rehydrate the skin and maintain nail health.
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Wrap nails in foil
Wrapping your nails in foil is a safe and effective way to remove shellac or gel polish at home. It is important to note that this method is specifically for removing shellac and soft gel manicures. Hard gels should be removed professionally.
To begin, use a nail file to gently buff away the shiny layer of polish. Be careful not to file down to your actual nail—using a softer cardboard emery board will help ensure you don't go too far. This will allow the acetone to penetrate the layers of polish more effectively.
Next, soak cotton balls or cotton pads in nail polish remover. Any remover with an acetone content of 60% or more will work, but it's best to use one designed specifically for removing shellac or gel polish, as it will be less harsh on your skin and nail beds. Pure acetone is also very effective but can be drying. If you are concerned about dryness, you can apply a light layer of petroleum jelly or cuticle oil around your nails before wrapping them.
Place a cotton ball or pad saturated with remover over each nail, then wrap a square of foil tightly over the top of the finger to keep the cotton in contact with the nail. Make sure it is a complete seal. Let your nails soak for 10 to 15 minutes, or until you start to see the polish flaking at the edges.
Remove the foil and cotton, then carefully scrape off the softened polish with a metal cuticle pusher or wooden cuticle stick. If some polish remains, re-soak your nails in acetone and try again. After removing the shellac, it is important to moisturize your nails and cuticles with oil or hand cream to rehydrate the skin.
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Moisturise with cuticle oil
Moisturising your hands and nails is an important step in the process of removing shellac gel nails. This is because the removal process can be quite harsh on your skin and nail beds, so it's important to rehydrate them.
Cuticle oil is a great way to moisturise your nails and cuticles. It is a moisturising product that is most commonly made up of vegetable oils and sometimes contains vitamins and citric acid. Cuticle oil can help to restore your nails and the skin around them to health after exposure to excessive cold, sun, chlorine, or salty or soapy water. It can also increase circulation around your nails, stimulating nail growth and strength.
To apply cuticle oil, you can either dab your cuticles with a cotton ball or brush the oil on. Celebrity nail expert Jenni Draper recommends using cuticle oil at least once a day, preferably twice, and if possible, more. She also suggests applying a generous amount of cuticle oil and then putting on a pair of cotton gloves before you go to sleep. The cotton gloves will help the skin to absorb the moisture more effectively.
If you want to apply nail polish again straight after removing your shellac manicure, you can still use cuticle oil, but you might want to opt for a lighter layer to protect your nails and cuticles without interfering with the new polish.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need acetone, cotton balls, foil, a nail file, and cuticle oil. First, file the polish to remove the shiny layer. Next, soak the cotton balls in acetone and place them over your nails, then wrap your nails with foil. Leave for 10-20 minutes, then scrape off the softened polish. Repeat the acetone step if needed.
It is recommended to use a softer cardboard emery board rather than a harsh metal file, as this will ensure you do not file down to your actual nail.
Simply wrap the nail with foil and cotton soaked in acetone again and leave for another 5 minutes.
It is important to moisturise and use cuticle oil to rehydrate your skin and nails.
