So you’ve invested in your gel nail kit and perfected your at-home gel mani, but you still can’t quite get the hang of removing your gel nails. Not to worry, it’s a common problem and we’re here to help you every step of the way. If you want to learn how to remove gel nails like the professionals, this is the guide for you!
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The risks of improper removal
Learning how to finesse the process of removing your gel manicure will help you to:
- Avoid damaging your natural nails: this includes thinning nail plates, cuts, splits and more.
- Avoid allergic reactions: find out which products are safe to use so you don’t cause skin issues further down the line.
- Avoid nail infections: using the wrong tools may mean that you can damage the skin or nail beds unintentionally and cause a nasty infection.
- Avoid chemical burns: there’s nothing worse than a harsh chemical burn. This guide will help you keep your skin safe and avoid burns during removal.
At the end of the day, safety is the name of the game when it comes to removing gel nails. Get it right the first time and you’ll prevent all of the above at the same time!
Gel nails vs. regular polish
So what is gel nail polish and how does it differ from your regular manicure polish? It might seem obvious, but understanding this will help you see why the removal process is so different. There are many different types of gel nails, but in this article, we’ll refer to soft gel nails like Shellac, Glitterbels and The Gel Bottle polish.
Gel nail polish is a thicker, more robust version of regular nail polish. It’s cured under a UV/LED nail lamp rather than via airdrying and a gel manicure can last a number of weeks. On the other hand, regular nail polish is applied straight from the bottle in a similar way, but the polish itself is thinner, doesn’t last as long and doesn’t need curing.
This is why you’ll need a few extra tools to remove gel nails vs. removing regular nail polish.
What tools do you need to remove gel nail polish?
Let’s cut straight to the action, here’s a handy list of tools you’ll need to successfully and safely remove your gel nails at home:
Acetone: You’ll need pure acetone to remove your gel nails efficiently, but you can use nail polish remover that contains acetone if you don’t have any to hand.
Cotton balls or pads: You’ll soak these in acetone and wrap the nails so that the gel polish can gently dissolve.
Aluminium foil or nail clips: These are used to secure the cotton balls or pads soaked in acetone around your nails. Nail clips are specifically designed for this purpose, but aluminium foils work just as well.
A cuticle pusher or orangewood stick: Avoid damaging your natural nails by pushing back the softened gel polish after soaking.
Nail buffer or nail file: Use a coarse nail file to start with to buff off the thick gel polish, as it gets thinner switch to a fine grit nail file to avoid damaging the nail bed.
Nail oil or cuticle oil: After removing the gel polish, it’s a good idea to apply cuticle oil to moisturise and nourish your nails and cuticles.
Once you’ve got all of these tools on-deck, you’re ready to get started!
How to remove gel nails at home: a step-by-step guide
Here’s our step-by-step guide to removing your gel nail polish at home with ease…
1. Prepare your workspace
Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area, keep windows open and extractors on. Protect your workspace with a towel to catch any spills.
2. Trim and file your nails
Use nail clippers to trim your gel nails down to the length you want. Then, use a nail file or buffer to gently roughen the surface of the gel nails. This will help the acetone penetrate the gel more effectively.
3. Soak cotton balls or pads
Cut or tear cotton balls or pads into small pieces that are large enough to cover each nail. Soak them in acetone until they are saturated.
4. Wrap your nails
Place each soaked cotton ball or pad on top of each nail. Then, wrap each fingertip with a small piece of aluminum foil. Make sure the cotton is pressing against the gel nail.
5. Wait!
Allow the acetone-soaked cotton and aluminum foil wraps to sit on your nails for about 10-15 minutes. This gives the acetone time to break down the gel.
6. Check the progress
After 10-15 minutes, check each nail with a cuticle pusher to see if the gel is lifting off easily. If it’s not ready, rewrap your nails and wait a few more minutes. Avoid forcefully scraping or peeling off the gel, as this can damage your natural nails.
7. Remove the wraps
Once the gel has loosened, carefully remove the aluminium foil wraps from each nail. Use a cuticle pusher to gently remove any leftover gel. If the gel doesn’t come off easily, rewrap your nails and wait a bit longer.
8. Moisturise
After the successful removal, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining acetone. Apply cuticle oil or a moisturiser to hydrate your nails and surrounding skin.
9. (Optional)
Buff, file and shape: If there’s any residue left on your nails, you can gently buff it away using a nail buffer. Be careful not to file too aggressively, as this can thin your nail beds.
10. Take a break
Give your nails a break from gel polish for a few weeks to allow them to recover and strengthen.
Here’s a video to help you even more:
Still struggling?
It can take a while to get the hang of it, but if you’re still struggling to easily remove your gel nail polish at home, take a trip to the professionals. A gel nail technician will help you to remove your manicure swiftly, whilst maintaining the health of your natural nails win-win!
