Sophia Delgado
Removing shellac nail polish at home is a simple process, but it requires patience and the right tools. It's important to resist the urge to pick or peel off the polish, as this can damage your nails. Instead, you can use an acetone-based nail polish remover, or non-acetone alternatives, and a few simple tools to safely remove shellac nail polish. The process typically involves buffing the surface of the nails, soaking cotton balls in nail polish remover, placing them on your nails, and wrapping your nails in foil. After letting the remover do its work, you can gently remove the foil and any remaining polish.
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What You'll Learn
Using an acetone-based nail polish remover
To start the removal process, you will need to gather the necessary materials: acetone-based nail polish remover, cotton balls or strips, plastic food wrap or aluminium foil, and a washcloth. It is important to use cotton that is similar in size to your nails to minimise the risk of getting acetone on your skin, as it can be irritating and damaging. Soak the cotton balls or strips in the acetone-based nail polish remover until they are fully saturated.
Next, cut the cotton to the size of each nail and place a soaked piece on top of the nail. Wrap each nail with plastic food wrap or aluminium foil to hold the cotton in place. Leave this setup in place for 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, the nail polish remover will dissolve the polish.
After the allotted time, remove the plastic wrap or foil. Most or all of the nail polish should come off with it. If there is any remaining polish, use a washcloth dampened with warm water to gently rub it off. Be careful to only rub the nail itself and avoid the surrounding skin.
Finally, wash your hands or feet with gentle soap and water to remove any residual acetone. To reduce the risk of skin irritation, apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin surrounding your nails for the next seven days.
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Soak nails in acetone for 10-20 minutes
So, you've decided to remove your Shellac nail polish at home. No problem! You'll need to soak your nails in acetone for 10-20 minutes. Here's how to do it:
Firstly, grab some cotton balls and an acetone-based nail polish remover. You can also use a non-acetone-based remover, but acetone is key to a quick removal process. Fully saturate the cotton balls with your chosen remover. If you're using acetone, be sure to protect your skin by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin.
Now, place the soaked cotton balls directly on top of your nails. Then, wrap a small piece of foil or plastic food wrap around each nail to hold the cotton ball in place. Make sure the wrap is nice and tight so that the acetone doesn't evaporate.
Once all your nails are wrapped up, sit back and relax for 10 to 20 minutes while the nail polish remover does its magic. If you're using acetone, you may want to set a timer for 10 minutes, as acetone can irritate and damage your skin if left on for too long.
After the allotted time, remove the foil or plastic wrap. The nail polish should now be easy to wipe or gently scrape away. Use a washcloth that you've run under warm water to gently rub off any remaining polish. Be careful to only rub the nail and avoid the surrounding skin.
Finally, wash your hands or feet with a gentle soap and water to remove any remaining acetone. Again, if you've used acetone, be sure to moisturize your nails and the surrounding skin with cuticle oil or a mild, fragrance-free soap to avoid irritation.
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Use a nail file to buff away the surface layer
To remove OPI shellac nail polish at home, you will need a nail file to buff away the surface layer.
Start by getting a good nail file with a decent amount of friction-causing texture. You can use a medium-grit nail file to remove the shine and the colour layers. Light pressure is ideal. You want to remove as much of the shine as you can, but be careful not to file down to your natural nail.
Once you've removed the top coat, place your hand under a light and inspect your nails. If you see any remaining shiny patches, you'll know you need to file those spots a little more. However, if you start seeing spots of your natural nail, you've gone too far.
If you don't have a nail file, you can use an e-file or nail drill machine. If you do use an e-file, be careful not to cut yourself. File the gel polish off with swift strokes in one direction at a time until the gel polish starts to come off. Keep moving the file around your nail and focusing on different areas until the gel polish is removed.
After you've buffed away the surface layer, you can move on to the next steps of removing your shellac nail polish.
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Moisturise nails and the surrounding area
Moisturising your nails and the surrounding skin is an important step in the process of removing OPI Shellac nail polish at home. This is because the nail polish removal process can be quite harsh on your nails and skin, and they will need some extra care afterward.
Leeanne Colley, a professional manicurist and owner of Tips Nail Bar in Toronto, recommends using cuticle oil to moisturise your nails and the surrounding area. Cuticle oil can be purchased or, if you don't have any on hand, Colley suggests borrowing from your pantry. Coconut oil, for example, can be used as an after-care cream to add moisture to your nails and skin.
It is important to note that your nails are naturally dry, so the focus should be on adding flexibility to prevent them from breaking or cracking. A strengthening product can be applied to your nails if you wish to add some extra protection. OPI Nail Envy, for example, fortifies nails with hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium.
In addition to moisturising your nails, it is also recommended to apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin every day for seven days after removing your nail polish. This will help to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone used in the removal process.
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Use a non-acetone-based nail polish remover
If you don't have acetone-based nail polish remover at home, you can use a non-acetone-based nail polish remover. First, get a good nail file that has a decent amount of friction-causing texture, and then buff the surface of the nails with it until there's no shiny coating left. Then, soak cotton balls in the non-acetone-based nail polish remover until they're saturated.
Place the soaked cotton ball on top of the nail, then wrap a square of tinfoil or plastic food wrap around it to keep it in place. Repeat this process for all fingers, leave it on for 10–20 minutes, and you should be able to wipe the gel polish off with the cotton balls after they've soaked. If that doesn't work, try scraping them with a metal nail file, a wooden stick, or a cuticle stick.
This method is simple but can be time-consuming. While securing all the necessary tools is easy, it takes the longest to see even the most subtle results. It's important to keep your nails healthy, so remember to moisturize your nails and the area around them after removing your gel polish manicure.
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