Isla Bennett
Gel nail polish is notoriously difficult to remove, and it can be tempting to pick or scrape it off. However, this can damage your nails and cause white spots. There are several methods to remove gel nail polish, including the traditional acetone method, a gel nail polish remover, and simply letting your nails grow out. The traditional acetone method involves using a nail file to file down the top coat layer, then soaking your nails in acetone, and using a cuticle pusher to gently push off the gel polish. A gentler method is to use a gel nail polish remover, which is faster, simpler, and requires fewer tools. To avoid damaging your nails, you can also let your nails grow out and clip them once a week to remove the gel nail polish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main supplies needed | Acetone, cotton balls or pads, aluminum foil, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file |
| Additional supplies | Cuticle oil, a nail buffer, petroleum jelly |
| Preparation | Work on one hand at a time, choose a well-ventilated spot, put a cloth over the work area to avoid acetone stains, cut aluminum foil into 10 squares, cut cotton balls or pads to fit just the nail bed of each nail |
| Nail filing | Use a coarse nail file to file down the gel top coat layer until it's no longer shiny and smooth |
| Acetone application | Soak cotton balls in acetone, place on nails, wrap nails with plastic food wrap or aluminum foil, let sit for 5-15 minutes |
| Removal | Use a metal cuticle pusher or orangewood stick to gently push off the gel polish, use a washcloth run under warm water to remove any remaining polish |
| Post-removal care | Wash hands with gentle soap and water, apply cuticle oil or petroleum jelly to cuticles and surrounding skin |
| Alternative methods | Let nails grow out and clip them once a week, use gel nail polish remover |
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Using acetone
Firstly, it is important to note that acetone alone will not cause the gel to break down. The shiny surface must be disrupted using a nail file. Use a coarse nail file to file down the top coat layer until it is no longer shiny and smooth. Be careful not to file down to the natural nail, as this can cause damage. You just want to get it rough and remove the shine.
Once the shine is removed, you can use acetone to break down the gel. Soak cotton balls or cotton rounds in 100% acetone. Place each piece of soaked cotton on top of the nail, ensuring it covers the nail bed. Then, wrap the nail with foil. Place your nail on top of the cotton, with the cotton extending past your finger on both sides and past the free edge of the nail. Fold the top of the foil over your fingertip, then wrap each side around your finger. Repeat this process for all fingers on one hand. The foil is important as heat is necessary to break down the gel.
Leave the foil on for 10-20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and cotton. 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 the washcloth over the nail to remove any remaining polish. Be 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. You can also apply cuticle oil to help your cuticles stay hydrated and keep your nails healthy and strong.
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Using gel nail polish remover
Using a gel nail polish remover is a faster and gentler method to remove gel nail polish, as it doesn't require an acetone bath and takes less time.
To start, use a coarse nail file to gently buff away the shiny top layer of your gel nail polish. File from the cuticle to the edge of your nail, moving left to right, without using a back-and-forth motion or focusing on just one spot. Filing down the top coat will make it easier for the acetone to penetrate the gel polish.
Next, soak a cotton ball or pad in 100% pure acetone. Place the soaked cotton on your fingernail and wrap it with aluminium foil or plastic food wrap to hold it in place. You can also use pre-made foil nail wraps that have the cotton pad attached. This creates a tighter seal, so the acetone is less likely to drip. Leave the wrap on for 10 to 15 minutes.
After the allotted time, remove the covering and cotton pad. Use a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick to gently push off any softened gel. If the polish is resisting, rewrap the nail and wait another 5 minutes.
Finally, use a nail buffer to smooth the surface of your nails and remove any remaining gel polish. Finish by applying cuticle oil or hand cream to rehydrate your nails.
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Filing
It is recommended to start with your non-dominant hand and work on one hand at a time. Be careful not to over-file your nails, as this can lead to thinning the nail plate, removing the cuticles, or onycholysis (separation between the nail and the nail bed). If you are not confident in your filing skills, it may be best to leave this step to the professionals.
Once you have filed the top coat, your nails should have a matte appearance. This indicates that you are ready for the next step, which is to soak your nails in acetone. However, it is important to note that acetone can be drying and irritating to the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin before proceeding.
After filing and soaking your nails in acetone, the gel polish should start to peel, crack, bubble, or burst. Use a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to gently remove any softened gel. If the gel polish is resistant, you may need to re-soak your nails in acetone for a few more minutes.
Overall, filing is a crucial step in removing gel nail polish. It helps expedite the removal process by allowing the acetone to penetrate the gel polish more effectively. However, it is important to exercise caution during the filing process to avoid damaging your natural nails.
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Soaking
Before soaking your nails in acetone, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin. This will help protect your skin from the acetone. You should also use cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to gently push back your cuticles, as acetone can irritate and damage the skin around your nails.
Next, you will need to soak some cotton balls or pads in acetone. It is important to use pure acetone, as diluted acetone may not be effective at removing the gel polish. You can place the soaked cotton balls on your nails and wrap them in tin foil or plastic food wrap to hold them in place. This traps in heat to help the gel break down faster. You can also try putting your hands in a plastic bag and dipping them in a bowl of hot water to speed up the process. Just be careful not to get any water on your hands or nails, as this can dilute the acetone.
Let your nails soak for 10 to 20 minutes. Softer gel polishes may only need 10 minutes, while harder formulas may take longer. Check your nails after 10 minutes, and if the polish is flaking off, you're ready for the next step. If the polish is still resistant, rewrap your nails and let them soak for a few more minutes.
After soaking, use a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick to gently push off the gel polish. Be careful not to use too much force, as this can scratch your nail plate. If there are any stubborn spots, you can use a nail file or buffer to gently remove them. Finally, wash your hands with gentle soap and water to remove any remaining acetone. Apply cuticle oil or petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin to help reduce irritation and keep your nails hydrated.
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Growing out your nails
To avoid this, you can try a few different methods to minimise the visibility of the regrowth gap. One option is to use a small pop of regular nail polish to hide any obvious growth gaps. For block colours, simply pair your regular polish with your gel manicure colour and fill the gap. For patterned nails, you can extend the pattern onto your natural nail with regular polish or choose the most prominent colour and fill the gap with that. For a bolder look, you can fill the gap with a contrasting colour to create a statement design. Glitter nail polish, in particular, is a great option for regrowth filler as its chunky, uneven application easily hides any lines or lumps and bumps.
Another option is to try a negative space manicure, which incorporates your natural nail into the design. This is a great way to blend the artificial and natural nails together and prolong your manicure.
If you decide to let your nails grow out without any touch-ups, it's important to care for your nails properly to avoid damage. Avoid the urge to pick or scrape off the polish, as this can weaken your nails. Instead, clip your nails once a week to remove the gel nail polish and prevent catching on clothing and other objects. You can also try to minimise contact with water, as this can weaken your nails.
If you want to remove the gel nail polish at home, you can use acetone. First, break the glossy seal on the top of the gel by filing it. Then, protect your skin by applying Vaseline or a similar product around the nail. Soak cotton balls in acetone and place them on your nails, wrapping them with plastic food wrap to create a tight seal. Leave this on for about 10 minutes, then remove the plastic wrap. Most or all of the gel nail polish should come off with the cotton. Remove any remaining polish with a warm, wet washcloth, being careful to only rub the nail and avoid the surrounding skin. Finally, wash your hands with gentle soap and water to remove the acetone.
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Frequently asked questions
Acetone offers the most effective way to remove gel nail polish at home, according to board-certified dermatologist Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, FAAD.
You can use a gel nail polish remover, which is faster, simpler, and less damaging to your nails.
First, use a coarse nail file on the top coat layer until it's not shiny and smooth anymore. Then, cut 10 pieces of aluminium foil to fit around each fingertip. Cut 10 cotton balls in half and soak them in acetone. Place each piece of soaked cotton on top of the nail and wrap with the foil. Leave for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and cotton. Most or all of the gel nail polish should be gone.
Use a coarse nail file on the top coat layer until it's not shiny and smooth anymore. Put a thick layer of gel polish remover on your gel nails. Try not to get it on your skin. Give the remover 5 minutes to soak into the gel nails. Then, use a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to gently remove the gel polish from each nail.
Work on one hand at a time. Choose a well-ventilated spot because acetone has a strong smell. Put a cloth over your work area to avoid acetone stains. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect your skin from the acetone.
