Isla Bennett
Shellac nails are long-lasting and gorgeous, but sometimes you need to remove them. While it's best to have them removed professionally, it is possible to do it at home. The key to maintaining healthy, strong nails is to remove the polish safely. You can use pure acetone, which is very effective but drying, or a nail polish remover with an acetone content of 60% or more. You'll also need cotton wool pads or balls, aluminium foil, a nail file, and a wooden cuticle stick. First, gently file the top layer of polish to remove the shine. Then, soak the cotton wool in acetone and place it over your nails, wrapping your fingers tightly with foil. Leave for 10-15 minutes, then push or scrape the flakes of gel away from the nail. Finally, wash your hands and apply cuticle oil and hand lotion to restore moisture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Nail file, acetone, cotton wool/pads, foil, cuticle stick, soap, water, hand lotion, cuticle oil |
| First Step | File the top layer of the gel polish to remove the top coat and break the seal |
| Soaking | Soak cotton wool/pads in acetone and place on each nail, wrapping foil around it to secure |
| Soaking Time | 5-20 minutes, until the polish starts to flake off at the edges |
| Scraping | Use a wooden/orange stick to gently push and scrape off the softened polish |
| Aftercare | Wash hands with soap and water, apply lotion and cuticle oil to restore moisture |
| Notes | Avoid picking, biting or ripping off shellac nails as it can damage the nail bed |
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What You'll Learn
File the top layer of shellac nails
To remove shellac nails, you must first file the top layer of the gel polish with a nail file. This process is also known as "breaking the seal" of the top coat. It is important to use a medium-grit file, which is effective without being too abrasive. Avoid filing down to the natural nail. Instead, file just enough to allow the acetone to penetrate through the gel.
The goal of this step is to remove the glossiness of the nail. This will make it easier for the acetone to penetrate the gel and loosen it from the nail plate. Take special care if the gel is thicker in any area and around the cuticles.
Once the top layer has been filed, the next step is to soak cotton wool or cotton pads in acetone and place them over each nail. Wrap the nails with tin foil to secure the cotton in place and create a warm, sealed environment. Leave the nails wrapped for 5-20 minutes, depending on the product you are using.
After the allotted time has passed, remove the foil and cotton. The shellac should now be softened and can be gently scraped off. Repeat the acetone step if needed. Finally, be sure to moisturise and use cuticle oil to rehydrate the skin.
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Soak nails in acetone
To remove shellac nails, you will need acetone, cotton wool or cotton pads, foil, a nail file, cuticle oil, hand lotion, and soap.
First, gently file the top layer of the gel polish with a nail file, removing the top coat and breaking the seal of the top coat. Be careful not to file down to the natural nail, as you only want to file enough to allow the acetone to penetrate through the gel. Next, soak cotton wool or cotton pads in acetone. Place the soaked cotton on each nail and wrap it with foil, creating a warm, sealed environment to help the acetone penetrate the gel. Leave the nails to soak for 10 to 15 minutes, or until you see the polish start to flake.
After soaking, remove the foil and cotton and scrape off the softened polish with an orange stick or manicure stick. Be gentle and try not to dig into the nail or scratch its surface. If there are any stubborn spots, repeat the acetone step. Finally, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any residue left by the acetone, which may appear as a chalky white substance. Apply lotion and cuticle oil to restore moisture to your skin and nails.
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Wrap nails in foil
To remove Shellac nails at home, you will need to wrap your nails in foil after soaking cotton pads in acetone and placing them on your nails. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, you will need to gently file the top layer of the gel polish with a nail file, removing the top coat and breaking the seal. Be careful not to file down to the natural nail, as this can cause damage. The aim of this step is to allow the acetone to penetrate through the gel more effectively.
Next, you will need to cut your cotton pads into smaller pieces so that they fit neatly onto each nail. You can use cotton wool pads or balls for this step, and you will need enough to cover each nail. Once you have the correctly sized pieces of cotton, soak them thoroughly with acetone so that they are wet but not dripping.
Now it's time to wrap your nails in foil. Place the soaked cotton onto each nail, and then wrap each finger tightly with aluminium foil. This will help to hold the cotton in place and create a warm, sealed environment, aiding the acetone in penetrating the gel polish.
Leave the foil and cotton in place for around 15-20 minutes. The polish will start to warp and become softer, indicating that it is time to remove the foil and cotton. Carefully scrape off the softened polish with a metal cuticle pusher or wooden cuticle stick. Be gentle and avoid using force, as this can damage your nails.
If there are any spots of polish that are being stubborn, repeat the process of adding acetone-soaked cotton and wrapping in foil for a few more minutes. After removing the softened polish, you may need to use a nail buffer to gently smooth your nails and remove any remaining traces of shellac.
Finally, moisturise your nails with cuticle oil or coconut oil to help repair and rehydrate your nails and skin.
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Scrape off softened shellac
It is important to note that shellac nails should be removed properly to avoid damaging your natural nails. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to scrape off softened shellac:
First, you will need to gather some essential tools and materials: acetone, foil or cotton balls, a nail file, and an orange wood stick or cuticle pusher. Start by filing the surface of your shellac nails gently. Be careful not to file down to your natural nail, as this can cause damage and thinning. The goal is to break through the top coat of the shellac polish, which will allow the acetone to penetrate and dissolve the polish more effectively. Once you have filed the surface, take a cotton ball and soak it in acetone. Alternatively, you can use foil to wrap your nails, soaking the cotton balls first and then wrapping them onto your nails with foil squares. This ensures that the acetone remains in contact with your nails and prevents it from evaporating too quickly.
After your nails are wrapped, wait for at least 15 minutes. The exact time needed will depend on the thickness of your shellac polish and the strength of the acetone. You can gently squeeze your nails from time to time to check if the shellac is softened. When the time is up, remove the foil or cotton balls and use an orange wood stick or cuticle pusher to gently scrape away the softened shellac. Start from the cuticle area and work your way towards the free edge of your nail. Be careful not to use force or apply pressure, as this can damage your natural nails.
If there are any remaining bits of shellac, repeat the process of wrapping your nails with acetone-soaked cotton balls or foil for a few more minutes. Then, gently scrape again until all the shellac is removed. Finally, wash your hands and apply a nourishing cuticle oil and hand cream to moisturize your nails and skin, as the acetone can be drying. It is important to be patient and gentle throughout the process to ensure healthy and damage-free natural nails.
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Moisturise and apply cuticle oil
After removing shellac nail polish, it is important to moisturise and apply cuticle oil to restore moisture to your skin and nails. Acetone is very effective at removing nail polish, but it can be extremely drying to your nails and skin.
To moisturise your hands, rub a generous amount of hand lotion over both hands. You can also use a good quality hand cream or try a hand mask.
To restore moisture to your nails and the skin around them, apply cuticle oil. Cuticle oil is designed to soften and moisturise your cuticles and can be found at any major drugstore. You can apply cuticle oil before removing your nail polish to provide a protective layer against the drying effects of acetone. After removing your nail polish, rub additional cuticle oil around your fingernails.
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Frequently asked questions
File the top layer of the gel polish gently to remove the top coat. Then, cut up cotton pads or cotton wool into small squares and soak them in 100% acetone. Place the cotton on each nail and wrap it with aluminium foil to secure it in place. Leave it for 10-15 minutes, then scrape off the softened polish. Repeat the acetone step if needed.
You should soak your nails in acetone for 10 minutes. Keep your nails submerged for the full 10 minutes, even if the shellac nail polish starts flaking off before the time is up.
After removing shellac nails, you may notice a white residue on your nails and fingers. This residue is left behind by the acetone and can be washed away with soap and water. To restore moisture to your skin and nails, apply lotion and cuticle oil.
