Noah Sinclair
IBD gel nails are a popular choice for those wanting long, natural-looking nails. However, the process of removing them can be tricky and time-consuming. While it is possible to remove them at home, it is recommended to go to a salon to have them removed professionally to avoid damaging your nails. If you choose to remove them yourself, you will need to use a nail drill to grind down the hard gel, before soaking your nails in acetone.
How to Remove IBD Hard Gel Nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Nail file, nail drill, acetone, cotton pads, aluminum foil, orange stick, cuticle oil/hand cream |
| Process | File down the hard gel, grind down overlays/extensions, soak nails in acetone, push and scrape off remaining gel, buff and shape nails |
| Time | Varies, but can take a long time, especially when filing by hand |
| Professional Removal | Recommended, especially if inexperienced with hard gel removal |
| Alternative | File the gel thin, rebalance, and apply a new set of nails |
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What You'll Learn
File down the hard gel
Filing down hard gel nails is a time-consuming process, so be prepared to spend some time on this task. If you are in a rush, you may accidentally damage your nails. The first step is to file down through the hard gel. If you are doing this manually, it will take a long time with a nail file. Using a nail drill with the right bit and speed setting will be more efficient, but it will still take a while.
The challenge is to remove most or all of the hard gel without damaging your natural nail or the skin around it. To protect your skin against dryness, apply cuticle oil or hand cream around your nails first. If you are using a nail drill, a cone-shaped bit will help to protect the skin and cuticles from accidents, while an extra-coarse texture will make quick work of filing down the hard gel.
If you are filing by hand, use a 180-grit file and work in one direction to remove the shine from the nail plate. You can then use a cuticle pusher to remove any gel that has gotten on your skin. If you are satisfied with the results of your filing, you can stop there. However, if there is still a thin layer of hard gel remaining, you may be able to soak off the rest with acetone.
Instead of dipping your fingers in acetone, wrap your nails with acetone-soaked cotton pads wrapped in aluminium foil. Wait 15 minutes and check to see if the gel is lifting. When the hard gel has softened, use an orange stick to push and scrape it off your nail. If you are happy with the results, wash and moisturize your hands.
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Protect your skin with cuticle oil or hand cream
Protecting your skin with cuticle oil or hand cream is an important step in the process of removing IBD hard gel nails. This step helps to prevent dryness and keeps your skin nourished and hydrated.
Before attempting to remove hard gel nails, it is recommended to apply a generous amount of cuticle oil or hand cream to the skin around your nails. This creates a protective barrier, ensuring that the skin remains moisturized throughout the removal process.
Cuticle oil is specifically designed to nourish and protect the cuticles, which are the small slivers of skin at the base of your nails. By applying cuticle oil, you can help prevent dryness, promote healthy cuticles, and maintain the overall health of your nails.
Hand cream, on the other hand, provides a similar benefit by moisturizing and softening the skin. It is important to choose a hand cream that is nourishing and quickly absorbed. Apply it not only to your cuticles but also to your hands and fingers, paying special attention to the areas surrounding your nails.
By taking the time to properly protect your skin with cuticle oil or hand cream, you can ensure a more comfortable and safe experience when removing your hard gel nails. This extra step is worth the effort, as it helps to prevent skin irritation and keeps your hands looking and feeling their best.
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Soak nails in acetone
Soaking your nails in acetone is an effective way to remove IBD hard gel nails. However, it is important to note that hard gel nails are acetone-resistant, so you will need to take a few extra steps before soaking.
First, protect your skin against dryness by applying cuticle oil or hand cream around your nails. This will create a barrier and help prevent the skin around your nails from drying out during the acetone soak.
Next, you will need to file or grind down the hard gel nails. This can be done by hand with a manual nail file, but it will take a significant amount of time and effort. For faster and more efficient results, consider using a nail drill with the appropriate bit and speed setting. The ideal speed for grinding down hard gel nails is 20,000 RPM. If you are using a nail drill, be sure to choose a bit that is designed for safe and user-friendly hard gel removal, such as a cone-shaped bit that protects the skin and cuticles.
Once you have filed or ground down most of the hard gel, you can proceed with the acetone soak. Instead of dipping your fingers directly into acetone, it is recommended to use saturated cotton pads wrapped in aluminium foil. This method is more efficient and helps to avoid a mess. You can also purchase specialised products like CND Foil Remover Wraps for this purpose.
After wrapping your nails with the acetone-soaked cotton pads and foil, wait for at least 15 minutes. Then, check to see if the gel is lifting or softening. If it has, use an orange stick to gently push and scrape the gel off your nails. Be careful not to be too aggressive, as this can damage your natural nails.
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Use a nail drill to grind down the gel
Using a nail drill is a safe and effective way to remove IBD hard gel nails without the use of harsh chemicals. It is important to be careful and patient throughout the process to avoid damaging your natural nails.
First, you will need to choose the right nail drill. A compact, powerful, and easy-to-use nail drill with variable speed control is ideal. Look for one that can run up to 10 hours per charge and has a forward/reverse switch, allowing you to use it with either hand. A speed of 20,000 RPM is recommended for grinding down hard gel. Additionally, consider using a safety bit designed for removing hard gel. These bits have a cone-shaped design to protect the skin and cuticles, while their extra-coarse texture facilitates quick filing.
Before starting the removal process, prepare your nails by applying cuticle oil or hand cream around the nails to protect your skin from dryness.
Now, you can begin using the nail drill. Install a sharper-patterned nail drill bit on the right-hand side of your drill for faster removal. Turn the drill on to a suitable speed—for beginners, a speed of "04" is recommended. Start drilling from the middle of your nail, working until the thick part of the gel and the base coat layer are exposed.
Once most of the hard gel is removed, switch to a smoother-patterned nail drill bit on the left-hand side of your drill for safer removal of the remaining gel. Gently remove the remaining polish in the corners and on the nail surface with the top of the drill bit.
After removing the gel, use a nail dust brush to clean any remaining nail dust from your nails. Finish by washing and moisturizing your hands.
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Wash and moisturise your hands
Once you've removed your IBD hard gel nails, it's important to finish the process by washing and moisturising your hands.
First, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water. Be sure to clean your hands before beginning the removal process, too. This will ensure that your hands are clean and free of any debris or dust that may have accumulated during the removal process.
Next, dry your hands completely. You may use a clean towel or air dry them, but it's important to ensure that your hands are dry before moving on to the next step, which is moisturising.
Moisturising your hands is an important step to replenish and nourish your skin after the removal process. Choose a good-quality hand cream or moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type. Apply a generous amount to your hands, paying close attention to the areas around your nails and cuticles. Massage the moisturiser into your skin until it is fully absorbed. This will help to keep your hands soft and supple, and prevent dryness and flaking.
Finally, consider applying cuticle oil to your nails and the surrounding skin. Cuticle oil will help to further nourish and protect your nails and cuticles, promoting healthy nail growth. Gently massage the cuticle oil into your nails and cuticles, taking care not to apply any to your actual nails, as this can affect the adhesion of any future manicures.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you go to a salon to have your IBD hard gel nails removed by a professional. However, if that is not possible, you can remove them at home by filing or grinding down the overlays or extensions with a nail drill. If you don't have a nail drill, you can use a manual nail file, but this will take a long time. Be careful not to damage your natural nails or the skin around them.
Take your time and go slowly when filing to avoid damaging your natural nails. When most of the hard gel is gone, you can try soaking off the rest with acetone. First, protect your skin by applying cuticle oil or hand cream around your nails. Then, wrap your nails with acetone-soaked cotton pads wrapped in aluminium foil and wait 15 minutes. If the gel looks like it's lifting, use an orange stick to push and scrape it off.
Removing hard gel nails can take a long time, especially if you are doing it by hand without a nail drill. It is important to be patient and not to rush the process, as you may accidentally damage your nails or the skin around them.
Most hard gels are acetone-resistant, so you will need to file or grind down most of the gel before soaking your nails in acetone to remove the rest. However, if you are using a soak-off gel, you can use acetone to remove it without filing first.
