Do you find yourself tempted to remove your gel nail polish entirely when it begins to lift around the edges? Avoid doing it! We’re going to teach you the proper method for removing gel nail polish at home without causing any long-term harm.
There are many of us in the middle of the Venn diagram between Polish pickers and pimple poppers, and we are well aware that this may be easier said than done.
The problem is that removing your gel manicure might remove your delicate nail layers, which is far worse than just having a few cracked tips.
Although it’s much wiser to have your gels professionally removed, it’s not always feasible to spend more time (or money) at the nail salon. Fortunately, you may safely remove outdated gel polish at home by taking matters into your own hands.
Your nails will appreciate you for not falling apart, but it will require a little extra patience and a few reliable instruments.
SELF sought advice from experts, including a dermatologist and several manicurists, to ensure that you, well, nail the procedure.
These are their top tips for getting rid of gel nail polish without damaging your nails.
The Reasons Gel Polish Should Never Peel Off
Let’s discuss what not to do before getting into how to remove gel nail polish. Your natural nails become frail and paper-thin when layers of gel polish are removed by peeling. The objective is to remove that old manicure gently while maintaining the condition of your nails.
To begin with, is gel polish harmful to your nails?
For many people, gel manicures are well worth the expense because they can endure for a few weeks or longer.
They aren’t ideal for the health of your nails, though. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), gel polish can be extremely harsh on your nails and cuticles because it is difficult to remove, which is why it resists chipping.
The second, more significant health issue is UV radiation exposure. Do you recognise the radiance from the gel manicure lamps? In actuality, that kind of light is ultraviolet (UV).
Earlier this year, dermatologists from Columbia University Irving Medical School’s Comprehensive Skin Cancer Centre published a study demonstrating that even brief exposure to UV radiation from gel nail paint dryers can damage DNA and increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
Does that imply that getting a gel manicure would cause cancer? Absolutely not. To prevent UV damage to your skin and nails, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your hands before placing them in the dryer. As SELF has noted, it’s also a good idea to save gel nails for special events and to take breaks throughout the year.
Ripping off gel paint when it begins to chip or you’re just tired of the colour is undoubtedly bad for your nails. Giving in to the temptation to pick—which, as we all know, can be very difficult to resist—may result in dryness, peeling, and cracking on the sensitive nail surface, even though you might not notice the damage right away. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, a clinical dermatology teacher at Weill Cornell Medical College, tells SELF.
There is a better approach, believe me, as someone who recently chipped away at a gel manicure and now has numerous lines and ridges on their nail beds.
Which method of removing gel nail polish at home is the simplest?
Molly Romah, lead nail artist at Chillhouse spa in NYC, tells SELF that the easiest and quickest way to remove gel polish at home is to apply cotton balls soaked in acetone to your nails, wrap them in tin foil, wait for about ten minutes, wipe off any remaining polish, and then scrape off what’s left with a nail file or buffer. (Detailed instructions are provided below.)
You may also file off the top layers of polish and then immerse your fingers in a bowl of pure acetone to remove the remaining polish if you’re pressed for time and don’t have all of those tools on hand, she says.
Romah advises being aware that certain gel polish products require more time to remove than others. Put another way, if you’re in a hurry, don’t begin this process.
How to remove gel nails by soaking
First, keep your cuticles safe.
According to Dr. King, acetone, which you’ll typically need to remove your gels, can severely dry up the skin and nails surrounding them, so you should try to protect your poor cuticles. Celebrity manicurist Patricia Yankee advises SELF to use a cuticle oil to preserve the surrounding areas prior to soaking.
However, unless you want to, you don’t have to buy an expensive speciality cuticle oil. Vaseline ($3, Amazon) is a well-known substitute. To reduce the harm caused by the acetone, a barrier will be formed by the petroleum jelly, also known as petrolatum. Also effective is Aquaphor ($10, Amazon).
Step 2: Use a coarse nail file to loosen the top layer.
Gel manis can endure for weeks rather than days because of the gel topcoat, a hard, almost impermeable layer that holds the colour in place. To help the acetone enter and work its magic, scratch the surface with a coarse nail file, such as the Gelish 180/180 Grit File ($8, Amazon). Yankee advises using mild, parallel pressure when filing to prevent harming the sensitive nail plate underneath.
Step 3: Use cotton balls and aluminium foil to soak your nails in acetone.
You need acetone ($5, Ulta) to remove your gel polish since it is more powerful and efficient than non-acetone nail polish remover. Soak a few cotton balls (or cotton pads) in the solution, then wrap aluminium foil around each finger to secure them on your nails.
Romah suggests cutting cooking foil into thin squares to wrap around each fingertip, but you don’t need to purchase any particular tin foil. Yankee claims that this helps the gel decompose more quickly by trapping heat.
The wait period can range from 10 to 20 minutes because gel polish compositions vary in strength. According to Romah, gentler gel polish will take roughly ten minutes to apply, while harsher formulas—such as those used for nail strengthening and extension—may require more time. You can always rewrap and continue soaking if you don’t get it perfect the first time.
Yankee’s expert advice: “At home, it’s usually best to work on one task at a time. To get the hardest portion over with, I prefer to begin with the dominant hand. Soak your left hand’s nails first if you’re a lefty, and your right hand will be a breeze after that. She claims that although it’s a minor adjustment, it has a significant impact.
Step 4: If necessary, soak again after carefully scraping off the polish coats.
After allowing the acetone to do its job, take off the foil and rub each nail with the cotton. Then, to properly remove the remaining polish, continue to carefully scrape the layers with the file (or, if you have one, a nail buffer or cuticle stick). The first few coats will start to come off easily if you soak for a long enough period of time.
Another acetone soak will be necessary to dislodge any more recalcitrant layers you come across. Continue soaking and scraping until all of the colour has been safely removed.
Step 5: Cleanse and hydrate twice.
Yankee advises, “You want to make sure that you wash it off completely after you finish soaking in acetone.” In order to restore some of the moisture that was lost due to the acetone, she also advises using another layer of cuticle oil (or Aquaphor or Vaseline).
Olive & June’s Cuticle Serum ($16, Target) is a cuticle-specific product that you can try if you want something a little fancier than petroleum jelly. Because acetone can be so harsh, Yankee also advises continuing this hydrating routine for a few days “just to replenish the moisture in your nails.”
It’s a good idea to use a thick moisturiser or hand cream that contains humectants, emollients, and/or occlusives after taking care of your cuticles. Apply it to your nails and the surrounding region to nourish dry skin.
“Humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, are compounds that bind water to the stratum corneum, the skin’s outermost layer, and can help the skin retain moisture,” Dr. King explains.
Emollients, which are substances based on fat or oil (such as ceramides or squalane), can also improve skin hydration and soften and smooth its texture. Additionally, Dr. King says that occlusives, such as lanolin, beeswax, and petrolatum, physically prevent water loss from the skin.
How gel polish may be removed without acetone
Regular use of acetone might irritate your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to onychoschizia, which is defined by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology as a disorder characterised by peeling, brittle nails. According to Dr. King, “acetone depletes the skin of its natural oils and can cause dryness, which can result in onychoschizia.”
Fortunately, gel manicures last a long time, so you won’t need to remove them too often. The best course of action is to use acetone-based nail polish remover sparingly and moisturise well afterward, Dr. King advises.
People with dry, brittle nails and/or extremely sensitive skin can also use acetone-free nail polish remover. According to Romah, acetone-free solutions, such as Cutex’s Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover ($7, Amazon), are usually less irritating, but you’ll probably have to wait a bit longer to soak off gel polish or tips using the aforementioned techniques.
Another question you may have is whether a gel manicure can be removed with a simple home remedy for nail polish removal, vinegar. However, let us spare you a Google search: According to Romah, vinegar isn’t powerful enough to work. “Use a non-acetone remover if you want something less potent than acetone,” she advises.
Which gel nail polish remover products are the finest to try?
Although removing gel polish isn’t particularly difficult, you might wish to make the process even more efficient. You may fix some of the more irritating procedures and remove your gels with the help of helpful kits and other goods. Some things to think about:
CND Offly Quick and Hydrating Shellac Gel Nail Polish Remover with Acetone
Macadamia oils and moisturising vitamin E make this acetone mixture less drying for your nails. According to Romah, you can use it to soak off gel nails or tips.
Gel-less Gel Nail Polish Remover Kit from Nails Inc.
To make it simpler to remove the gel, this kit includes a soaking container with walls that resemble bristles that you can rub your nails against. It expedites the procedure, according to reviewers. Additionally, you can use any remover you choose to refill the pot.
Foil Nail Wraps by BTArtbox
These tiny foil nail wraps can save you a few steps. You can wrap without soaking your cotton balls or cutting up aluminium stripes; simply apply acetone to the included pad.
Graham Easily Removes Gel Nail Wraps
Instead of utilising aluminium foil, these wraps use flexible self-adhesive material, which is similar to Band-Aids drenched in acetone.
Bonus: What to Do Following the Removal of Gel Polish
- Give your nails a rest after removing your polish! Here’s how:
- Use a nail hardener or strengthener.
- To avoid breaking your nails, keep them short.
- Use a nourishing hand cream to moisturise your hands every day.
- A new batch of gel polish should not be applied for at least a few days.
Concluding remarks
The key to strong, healthy nails in between manicures is knowing how to remove gel nail paint correctly. These at-home nail care methods will prevent needless damage to your nails, regardless of whether you enjoy doing your own nails or use them sometimes in between salon appointments. With a little perseverance
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