Isla Bennett
Gel nail polish is a great alternative to regular polish as it provides a glossy shine and can last up to two weeks without chipping. To apply gel nail polish, you need to start by prepping your nails by removing any previous nail polish, softening and trimming your cuticles, shaping and trimming your nails, and buffing them. Then, apply a base coat, followed by the gel colour polish, and finally a top coat. Cure your nails under an LED or UV lamp, depending on the brand of polish you're using. To remove gel nail polish, it is recommended to avoid picking, peeling, or filing off the polish as this can damage your nails. Instead, you can use acetone, either by soaking your nails in it or by applying it to a cotton ball and wrapping your nails with plastic food wrap. You can also try letting your nails grow out and clipping them once a week to remove the gel polish.
Applying Gel Nail Polish
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Removing Gel Nail Polish
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Acetone, Gel Nail Polish Remover, Filing, Soaking |
| Tools | Cotton balls, Plastic food wrap, Foil, Cuticle pusher, Nail file, Cuticle oil, Hand cream, Nail buffer, Petroleum jelly, Washcloth, Soap |
| Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Caution | Acetone can damage sinks, countertops, and furniture. It can also be harsh on nails and skin, causing dryness, flakiness, redness, and irritation. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your nails by filing the top coat
Preparing your nails by filing the top coat is an important step in the gel nail polish removal process. This is because filing removes the shiny top layer, helping the acetone to penetrate the gel polish faster. To do this, use a coarse nail file or a medium grit file on the top coat layer until it is no longer shiny and smooth. Be careful not to use a file that is too coarse, as this can damage your natural nail.
If you are removing soak-off gel polish, you will need to use a 180-grit nail file to remove the hardened top coat before proceeding with the removal of the rest of the polish.
After filing the top coat, you can then apply a thick layer of gel polish remover or acetone to your nails. Try to avoid getting the remover on your skin. Give the remover a few minutes to soak into the gel nails, and then use a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to gently remove the gel polish.
It is important to note that acetone can be tough on your nails and skin, drying them out and making your nails feel rough. Therefore, it is recommended to use a gel nail polish remover, as these are simple to use and need fewer tools. Additionally, they are less damaging to your nails. After removing gel nail polish, apply cuticle oil to rehydrate your cuticles and keep your nails healthy and strong.
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Soak nails in acetone
Soaking your nails in acetone is an effective way to remove gel nail polish at home. However, it can be tough on your nails and skin, causing dryness and irritation. To avoid this, it is recommended to use acetone-soaked cotton balls or pads instead of directly soaking your nails in acetone.
- Prepare your workspace by lining it with plastic wrap or a thick towel to protect the surface from acetone damage.
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin surrounding your nails. This will create a protective barrier against acetone irritation.
- Cut cotton balls or pads to fit each nail. The cotton should be slightly larger than the nail bed but not touch the skin around your nails or cuticles.
- Soak the cotton in acetone. Ensure it is damp but not dripping wet. Use 5 to 10 drops of acetone for each cotton ball, or apply acetone directly to the pad.
- Place the acetone-soaked cotton on top of your fingernail. If using cotton balls, you can secure them in place by wrapping your fingertips with aluminium foil or plastic food wrap.
- Let the acetone soak for 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, the acetone will penetrate the gel polish, making it soft, bubbly, or curled.
- After soaking, remove the cotton and foil or plastic wrap. Use a metal cuticle pusher or orangewood stick to gently push off the gel polish from each nail.
- If any gel polish remains, use a wet washcloth to gently rub it off, being careful to avoid the surrounding skin.
- Wash your hands with gentle soap and water to remove any residual acetone. Use a fragrance-free or mild soap to prevent skin irritation.
- Apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin around your nails for the next seven days to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
While soaking your nails in acetone is effective for removing gel nail polish, it is important to note that it can be drying and damaging to your nails and skin. Therefore, it is recommended to use acetone-soaked cotton balls or pads, which allow you to control the application of acetone and minimise its contact with your skin. Always exercise caution when using acetone, and consider using alternative methods or gel nail polish removers if you have sensitive skin or nails.
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Protect skin with petroleum jelly
To protect your skin when applying or removing gel nail polish, you can use petroleum jelly.
Before applying nail polish, rub petroleum jelly onto the skin around your nails. This will prevent staining. It also means that if you make a mistake, the nail polish can be easily removed when it's dry.
After removing gel nail polish, gently rub petroleum jelly into your cuticles and the skin around your nails. This will help to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
Petroleum jelly is an inexpensive product that can be used to relieve dry skin. It forms a protective barrier on the skin, helping it to retain moisture. It can also be used to prevent chafing, and to help injured skin heal.
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Remove gel polish with a cuticle pusher
Removing gel nail polish with acetone can be tough on your nails and skin. It can make your nails dry and brittle, and your skin and cuticles might get dry, flaky, red, and irritated. Therefore, it is important to follow a careful process when using this method.
Firstly, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin. This will help protect your skin from the acetone. Then, cut cotton balls or strips to the size of each nail. Using cotton that is about the same size as each nail reduces your risk of getting acetone on your skin. Next, soak each piece of cotton in acetone and place them on top of the nail. Wrap the nail with plastic food wrap or aluminium foil. Avoid wrapping your nails so tightly that you cut off your circulation.
After 10-20 minutes, the gel polish should be soft and might look bubbly or curled. Now you can pinch off the foil and cotton ball from your nail. Use a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to gently push the gel polish off each nail. Be careful not to use too much force when scraping off the nail polish, as this can damage your nails. If the polish isn't coming off easily, keep soaking the nail with the acetone-soaked cotton ball for another 5 minutes.
Finally, gently buff your nails to smooth out ridges and uneven edges. Be careful not to over-buff your nails, as this can make them thin and weak. Wash your hands with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone. Apply cuticle oil to your nails when you're finished to keep them moisturized and healthy.
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Rehydrate nails with cuticle oil
Removing gel nail polish can be tough on your nails and skin. Acetone, for example, can dry out your skin and make your nails feel rough. To combat this, it is important to rehydrate your nails with cuticle oil.
Cuticle oil helps your cuticles stay hydrated and keeps your nails healthy and strong. You can rub it into your cuticles and the surrounding skin to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone. There is no such thing as too much cuticle oil, so apply it as frequently as three times a day if you want to keep your nails and skin in perfect shape.
There are many different types of cuticle oil, some of which contain vitamin E, jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond oil, lemon oil, or shea butter. These natural oils and butters help to improve the skin and provide added hydration. For example, shea butter increases collagen and nail strength and heals dry cuticles, while almond oil protects nails and cuticles from cracking and dryness.
You can also try "slugging" your nails. This involves rubbing your nails and cuticles with cuticle oil and then slathering them with a thicker moisturiser, such as Vaseline.
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