Liam Carter
Shellac nails are a popular manicure option, but they can be difficult to remove. While it is possible to remove shellac nails at home, it is important to be cautious as improper removal can damage your nails. The removal process involves filing the nails, soaking them in acetone, and then scraping off the softened polish. This can be done through the soaking method or the wrapping method. The soaking method involves submerging your nails in a bowl of acetone for 10 minutes, while the wrapping method involves wrapping your nails in acetone-soaked cotton pads and foil for 15-30 minutes. After removal, it is important to wash your hands and apply lotion and cuticle oil to restore moisture to your skin and nails.
How to remove shellac fake nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Required tools | Acetone, bowl, cotton wool/pad, foil, cuticle oil, hand lotion, nail file |
| Acetone concentration | 60% or more |
| Acetone alternatives | Nail polish remover |
| Soak time | 5-30 minutes |
| Removal tools | Orange stick, wood stick |
| Post-removal care | Wash hands with soap and water, apply lotion and cuticle oil |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your workspace and protect your skin
To prepare your workspace, you will need a few things. First, line your work surface with sheet masks or cloth to avoid any mess from filing or spillage of remover. You will also need a shallow bowl, acetone, cotton wool or cotton pads, foil, a nail file, a cuticle pusher, and cuticle oil.
It is important to protect your skin when removing shellac nails, as acetone can be harsh and cause extreme dryness. Before you begin, apply cuticle oil to the skin around your nails and rub it in. Do not wipe away the excess. Cuticle oil will form a protective layer against the dehydrating nature of acetone.
You can also protect your skin by minimising exposure to acetone. One method is to ball your hand up so that only your nails and cuticles are exposed, and then dip them into the acetone. Another method is to wrap each nail individually with foil, ensuring that the cotton wool or pad is soaked in acetone and secured around your nail. This will prevent air from getting in and evaporating the acetone.
After removing the shellac, you should wash your hands with soap and water to remove any chalky residue left by the acetone. Then, apply lotion and more cuticle oil to restore moisture to your skin.
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File nails to remove the gloss
To remove shellac fake nails at home, you can start by filing your nails to remove the gloss. Filing the surface of the nail will help the acetone sink more deeply into the polish.
Use a nail file to scratch the surface of the gel and remove the gloss. The lower the number, the coarser the file grit, so a lower grit will remove more material. A grit 240 file is fine and gentle, but you can still over-file the nail, so be careful not to file too many times over the surface with too much pressure. You can also use a grit 100 file to remove any excess product, but not on newly applied acrylic as it can ruin the molecule structure.
You want to file the face of the polish as though you are buffing your nails. This will create a matte texture, which is better for the next layer to grip onto. Gel polish will not adhere to shiny nails.
Once you have filed your nails, you can move on to the next step of removing shellac nails, which is to soak a small piece of cotton wool or a cotton pad in 100% acetone.
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Soak nails in acetone
Soaking your nails in acetone is a great way to remove shellac nails at home. It is a simple and fast process, but it can be harsh on your skin and nails, so it is important to be careful.
Firstly, you will need to prepare your workspace. Line the surface with sheet masks or cloth to avoid any mess from filling or spillage. Then, prepare your acetone mixture. Pour some pure acetone, or acetone nail polish remover with a concentration of 60% acetone or more, into a shallow bowl. You only need to pour enough acetone to submerge your nails—about half an inch deep.
Next, you can prepare your nails for soaking. Apply a generous amount of cuticle oil to the skin around your nails and rub it in. Do not wipe away the excess. Cuticle oil will help to protect your skin from the drying effects of the acetone. You can then use a nail file to gently buff the surface of your nails. This will help the acetone to penetrate the polish more effectively.
Now, you are ready to soak your nails. Partially ball your hand so that all five nails are exposed, and dip them into the acetone. Keep your nails submerged for 10 minutes. You may see the shellac start to flake before the time is up, but it is important to keep your nails in the acetone for the full duration.
After 10 minutes, remove your hand from the acetone and use an orange stick or manicure stick to gently scrape the shellac off your nails. Place the flat edge of the stick at the bottom of the nail and push it gently along the length of the nail, beneath the shellac. Repeat this motion until all the polish has been removed.
Finally, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining acetone and shellac residue. Your skin may feel dry, so be sure to apply a generous amount of hand lotion and cuticle oil to restore moisture.
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Scrape off the shellac
Before you begin scraping off the shellac, you need to prepare your nails. First, you should file the face of the polish to roughen the surface, removing the glossiness. Then, you can apply cuticle oil to the skin around your nails, which will provide a protective layer against the drying effect of the acetone.
Now, you can begin the process of removing the shellac. Pour acetone into a shallow bowl, ensuring the bowl is wide enough to fit the ball of your hand. Partially ball your hand so that all five nails are exposed, and submerge them in the acetone. Keep your nails submerged for 10 minutes. If you prefer, you can wrap your nails in acetone-soaked cotton wool or pads, then cover them with foil, and wait for 15-20 minutes.
After this time, the shellac should be flaking or sliding off. Use an orange stick or a wooden stick to gently scrape off the softened polish. Be careful not to force the product off, to prevent damage to your natural nails.
Finally, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any chalky residue left behind by the acetone. Apply a generous amount of hand lotion and cuticle oil to restore moisture to your skin and nails.
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Moisturise your nails
Moisturising your nails is an important step in the process of removing shellac nails. The acetone used to remove shellac can be extremely drying, so it is important to take steps to restore moisture to your nails and skin.
Before beginning the removal process, it is recommended that you apply cuticle oil to your nails and the surrounding skin. Cuticle oil forms a protective layer, shielding your skin and nails from the harsh effects of acetone. After applying the oil, you can proceed with the removal process.
Once you have removed the shellac, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water to get rid of any chalky residue left behind by the acetone. Then, apply a generous amount of hand lotion to both hands. You can also use cuticle oil or nail hardener to help restore moisture to your nails and protect them from becoming brittle and soft.
If you are removing shellac nails at a salon, ensure that your manicurist uses suitable removers designed explicitly for shellac nails and thoroughly moisturises your hands afterward. This will help prevent dry skin and damaged nail beds, which can occur due to the harsh nature of acetone.
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