How To Remove Gel Nails

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Vibha (Khemani) Moorjani

Getting a fresh set of gel nails. Ah, what a feeling! Those well-groomed cuticles, those perfectly shaped nails, that streak-free shiny gel polish, that glossy color – you can click hundreds of snaps flaunting your beautiful nails. A professional manicure feels incomplete without this feeling. But what happens are a few weeks?

Those roughly grown-out nails, that dead skin and dull cuticle gunk, those yellow stains from sauces. The gel that was once fresh and dreamy becomes so ruined, you hate looking at it. And that’s when we all are guilty of peeling it off. As it looks untidy, we often subconsciously try to get rid of it as early as we can. But scratching, prying, peeling, and chipping off your gel does more harm than good.

How to Remove Gel Nails A Complete Guide to DIY Gel Polish Removal

So what to do if you cannot visit a salon for your gel removals but can neither tolerate them any further? Well, we have made a complete guide for you to learn how to remove gel nails at home. Dig in!

How to Remove Gel Nails: A Complete Guide to DIY Gel Polish Removal

More frequently than not, we hear people complaining that shellacs are harmful for our nails. But you’ll surely hear professionals and nail experts voting against this myth. They are not wrong. They aren’t just ‘promoting their product’, if you thought so.

Gel nails and gel polishes are super safe and healthy unless you indulge in proper application and removal. Now, everyone is obsessed with learning the right way to apply a gel polish because those results show up. But what most of us usually don’t bother much about is how to remove it well. Know that it is equally important and understand the right ways to do so.

Today we have come up with a step-by-step guide on gel removals. Let’s take a deep dive into this guide to learn how to remove gel polish at home with various products.

How to Remove Gel Nails Using Acetone

If you like to get Shellac nails on a regular basis, chances are that you might need a sure-shot solution to those fortnightly or monthly removals. For such cases, we suggest you indulge in an acetone-based method of gel removals. Not the safest but it is the most efficient way of removing gel polish quickly and completely. Here’s how you can remove gel nail polish at home using acetone.

Tools Needed

  • a nail file
  • a nail buffer
  • orangewood stick
  • 100% pure acetone
  • cotton balls
  • aluminum foil sheets
  • cuticle oil

Steps to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home Using Acetone

Removing Gel Nails at Home Using Acetone

Always start with a well-lit and well-ventilated space when working with acetone.

  • The first step is to remove the top coat which is a sealing layer on your gel. For efficient removal, use a nail file and file off the top coat until the shine is gone.
  • Next, layer the skin around your nails with cuticle oil or petroleum jelly. This is to protect the skin from becoming dehydrated due to acetone exposure.
  • Now, prepare the soak. Dampen a cotton ball in 100% pure acetone and place it inside an aluminum foil sheet. Place this on your fingernail and wrap it around tightly such that the entire gel nail is underneath the soaked cotton ball. You may alternatively use a pre-soaked alcohol wipe to ease and accelerate the process.
  • Repeat for all the nails and then wait for at least 10 minutes. You may wrap your hands in a warm towel while waiting to speed up.
  • After 10-15 minutes, unwrap the foil to see the broken pieces of gel popping out in layers from your nail surface. If the gel has softened well, these pieces should fall off at a gentle push. Using an orangewood stick, gently pry off this gel residue. Be gentle and do not apply any pressure at this stage.
  • If some of the gel is still left stuck to the nails, repeat the soaking process and try to clean it again in a few minutes. Remember this requires patience, however, pure acetone usually removes the gel quickly and efficiently in one or two attempts.
  • Once most of the gel polish is off, use a nail buffer to gently buff the nail surface and make it free from any residue.
  • Finally, end the TLC with a generous coating of cuticle oil and hand cream. Make a practice of applying cuticle oil twice a day for at least a week after the removal.

How to Remove Gel Nails Without Using Acetone

If you are not an avid gel nails person or have gotten them for the first time, chances are you might not want to buy acetone. Or even if you’re just not keen to indulge in an acetone method for gel polish removal because of the harmful side effects, we have good news for you. It is a ‘magical’ gel polish remover that will come to your rescue in these cases. Let’s learn how to remove gel nail polish at home without acetone using magic remover.

Tools Needed

  • a nail file
  • a nail buffer
  • orangewood stick
  • magic gel polish remover
  • cotton balls
  • cuticle oil

Steps to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home without Acetone

Removing Gel Nails at Home without Acetone

Removing gel polish without acetone soak is definitely a magical process! And hence, you have a unique product you can use easily by following these steps:

  • Start by filing off the shiny top coat using a nail file. Avoid going too close to the cuticles.
  • Now, paint the magic gel polish remover on top of your gel It is applied just like a nail polish but the consistency is thick and gooey like a gel glue. Make sure you cover the entire painted surface with the remover in a thick, streak-free layer.
  • Wait for a few minutes for the magic to happen! This is the most satisfying stage as you will sit back and watch the gel polish cracking and bursting into peels. Have patience till the entire gel cracks up and starts falling off.
  • Once all the gel bursts into peels, using an orange stick, gently pry and loosen the residue from the nails. Avoid scratching too hard or putting pressure.
  • Dust off the loose flaps and further scrape off the remaining residue using a nail buffer.
  • Finally, moisturize your nails with cuticle oil and give them a few days’ break before reapplication.

Wrapping Up Gel Removals

Removing gel nails at home can be a game-changer for nail enthusiasts who want to keep their hands healthy and polished without a salon visit. With the right tools, patience, and a gentle touch, you can safely remove your gel polish and reveal natural nails that are ready for a fresh start. Remember, the process may be a little time-consuming, but it’s worth every second for your nail health. The key is to take it slow, be patient with your cuticles, and swear to never peel or scrape as it can cause more harm than good.

Now that you’ve learned how to remove gel nails safely, keep these steps handy, especially for those moments when your gel polish has become old and dull. Mastering this DIY nail skill can make all the difference in maintaining strong, healthy nails in the long run. Embrace this self-care practice, and next time, you’ll be even more confident in removing gel nails at home. After all, your nails deserve to be as healthy as they are stylish!

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Vibha (Khemani) Moorjani

Vibha (Khemani) Moorjani is a writer with a passion for creativity and a love for storytelling! When she's not writing, Vibha indulges in her love for nails, drawing inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest. Her creativity doesn't stop there; Vibha is also an imaginative storyteller, weaving fictional tales and poetry in her spare time. She's not just a writer; she's a creator, constantly weaving imaginative stories. With 5 years of experience in crafting compelling content, Vibha brings a unique perspective to her work.

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