Sophia Delgado
Removing gel nail polish can be tricky and time-consuming, but it's possible to do it without damaging your nails. There are several methods you can try, including the traditional acetone method, using a gel nail polish remover, or going to a salon to soak off the gel nails. To avoid damaging your nails, it's important to prepare your nails and work area, and to be patient during the removal process.
How to properly remove gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main supplies | Acetone, cotton balls or pads, plastic food wrap or aluminium foil, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file |
| Additional supplies | Cuticle oil, nail buffer, petroleum jelly, a bowl, an orangewood stick |
| Preparation | Cut 10 squares of aluminium foil or plastic wrap, big enough for each fingertip. Tear off 10 pieces of cotton balls or pads that fit just the nail bed of each nail. |
| Nail preparation | File down the gel top coat layer until the top coat is no longer shiny and smooth. |
| Soaking | Prepare a bowl filled with acetone and soak each of the 10 cotton wool balls until saturated. Place each piece of soaked cotton on top of the nail and wrap it with plastic food wrap or foil. Leave the wrap on for 10-15 minutes. |
| Removal | When you remove the wrap, most or all of the gel nail polish should be gone. Remove any remaining gel nail polish with a washcloth that you’ve just run under warm water. Use the wet washcloth to gently rub off any remaining polish. |
| Aftercare | Wash your hands or feet with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone. Apply cuticle oil or a moisturising hand cream to hydrate the nails and the surrounding skin. |
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What You'll Learn
Using acetone
Prepare a bowl filled with acetone and soak each of the 10 cotton wool balls until saturated. You can also use cotton pads or cotton buds. If using cotton wool, tear off 10 pieces that fit just the nail bed of each nail. If you are doing this process solo, focus on one hand at a time before moving onto the other hand for ease.
Next, use a nail file to rough up the top layer of the gel. Get an electric nail file to speed up the process, but be careful not to file your actual nails. Once the top layer is roughed up, dip the cotton into the acetone, place it on top of your nail, and wrap your finger with foil. Do this for all of your nails. Set a timer for 15 to 30 minutes while the acetone works.
After the timer goes off, the gel should start to come off. Remove the foil from each finger – it will pull easily if the gel polish has completely lifted. Lightly massage the foil and pull it away from your nail. When the gel’s lifted, gently remove any excess with an orangewood stick, going from cuticle to tip.
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Using gel nail polish remover
Using a gel nail polish remover is a faster and gentler way to remove gel nail polish than the traditional method. It is also less likely to damage your nails.
To remove gel nail polish using a gel nail polish remover, you will need acetone, cotton balls (or pads), plastic food wrap, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file. Cuticle oil and a nail buffer are extra but can help keep your nails healthy.
Before you begin, it is recommended to gently buff your nails to smooth out ridges and uneven edges. This will also help to smooth the surface of your nails and remove any small bits of gel polish left. Be careful not to over-buff, as this can weaken your nails.
Next, use a nail file to file down the gel top coat layer until the top coat is no longer shiny and smooth. You can then proceed to apply the gel nail polish remover.
Soak 10 cotton balls in acetone and place them on top of your nails. Then, wrap your fingertips with plastic food wrap to hold the cotton balls in place. Let your nails soak for about 10 to 20 minutes. You will know the acetone has entirely removed the gel when the polish looks lifted from the nail.
After removing the plastic wrap, most or all of the gel nail polish should be gone. Remove any remaining gel nail polish with a washcloth that you've run under warm water. Gently rub off any remaining polish, being careful to only rub the nail and avoid the surrounding skin.
Finally, wash your hands with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone. Apply cuticle oil to your cuticles and the skin around your nails to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
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Buffing and hydrating nails
Buffing your nails is an important step in the process of removing gel nails. It helps to smooth out ridges and uneven edges, as well as removing any small bits of gel polish that may be left after soaking. However, it is important to be careful not to over-buff, as this can cause nails to become thin and weak, making it difficult for future gel polish applications to adhere properly. Overly buffed nails can also bend easily, causing the gel polish to lift from the nail plate.
When buffing, it is recommended to use a coarse nail file to file down the gel top coat until it is no longer shiny and smooth. This process should be done gently, ensuring that you do not file down too much and damage your natural nail.
After buffing, it is important to hydrate your nails to keep them healthy and strong. Cuticle oils are a popular choice for hydration, as they deliver vitamins and nourishment to the nail bed. Oils such as jojoba, coconut, and olive oil are recommended, and it is suggested to spend a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle. You can also use hyaluronic acid, which offers the same hydrating benefits as cuticle oil without the greasy finish.
Additionally, consider using hand creams to moisturize your hands and nails. Look for creams that absorb quickly and contain hydrating ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, glycerin, or collagen. It is important to wear gloves when doing the dishes or sanitizing your hands to prevent further drying and protect your nails from becoming more brittle.
Other products that can aid in rehabilitating your nails after gel manicures include nail strengtheners, protein-enriched bases, and topcoats designed to strengthen nails. These products can help encourage healthy nail growth and prevent nails from peeling, splitting, or breaking.
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Avoiding cutting, filing or peeling
To properly remove gel nails, it's important to avoid cutting, filing, or peeling the gel polish off. While it may be tempting to pick at your gel manicure, especially when it starts to chip, doing so can cause dryness, peeling, and cracking on the delicate surface of your nails. This can lead to damaged nail beds, lifted and jagged edges, and brittle nails.
Instead of cutting or peeling, you can use acetone to remove gel nail polish safely and effectively. First, cut your nails as much as possible without snipping your natural nail. The longer the nail, the harder it is to remove the gel, and the longer it'll take to soak. Then, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect your skin from the acetone. Next, cut cotton balls or strips to the size of each nail, and soak them in acetone. Place each piece of soaked cotton on top of the nail it was cut to fit, and wrap the nail with plastic food wrap or foil. Wait for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow the acetone to soak into the gel. The polish should then peel off on its own with little encouragement from you.
If there are spots that are particularly difficult and haven't peeled, file the area gently, being careful not to go too deep, and then resoak the area for another 5 minutes. You can also use tools such as an orange stick or a dual-sided pushy to gently ease the gel from the natural nail after soaking. It's important to work on one nail at a time and to avoid rubbing the surrounding skin.
If you have sensitive skin or are prone to onychoschizia, frequent use of acetone can cause irritation. In this case, you can opt for nail polish remover that's acetone-free, such as Cutex's Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover.
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Protecting skin with cuticle oil or Vaseline
Protecting the skin around your nails is an important step when removing gel nails. The skin around your nails can become dry and dehydrated, leading to redness and swelling, so it's important to keep the area nourished and hydrated.
One way to do this is by using cuticle oil. Cuticle oils and ointments should be applied daily, or more if required. These products help to keep your cuticles healthy and can speed up the gel removal process. You can also use cuticle oil after the manicure to keep your nails and skin in perfect shape. It is recommended to rub the oil in well, covering all of your cuticles. You can never use too much cuticle oil, and it can be applied up to three times a day.
Vaseline is another great option for protecting the skin around your nails. It is a budget-friendly petroleum jelly product that can be used on its own or layered over cuticle oil for even more intense nourishment. Dr. Stern recommends applying cuticle oil or ointment after a shower, as the warm water helps to soften the cuticles, making it easier to gently push them back with a washcloth.
It is important to note that you should not use products like Vaseline to protect your skin during the gel application process, as this can interfere with the application. Instead, use a small brush dipped in alcohol to wipe the sides of your nails before curing, being careful not to get any on your skin.
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