If you’re a fan of beauty trends, chances are you’ve tried gel nail polish or it’s on your radar for the future.
Gel polish is a great product that strengthens your nails and makes them look more beautiful and firmer. The polish can last up to three weeks when applied correctly, offering long-lasting shine and durability.
However, when it’s time to remove it, this is where the real work is; doing it wrong could damage your nails. The best and safest option is usually to visit a nail spa for professional help, but that does not mean you can’t do it on your own. With some tips, you can remove it safely at home, saving you time and money while keeping your nails healthy and strong.
Keep reading to learn how to remove the gel polish well and keep your nails intact.
1. Gather the Right Items
Start the process by getting the necessary tools to remove the gel. The requirements will depend on the methods you wish to follow to remove a high-quality gel nail polish. For instance, you will need acetone when using the acetone removal method. You will also need an electric gel remover if you need to remove it using an electric device.
Here are the main things you may need to remove it:
- Acetone
- Towel
- Nail File
- Warm Water
- Cotton Wool
2. Clean your Hands and File
Now that you have gathered the right tools, your next step is to clean your hands.
While working on your nails (whether applying or removing gel), it’s important to ensure they are clean. Proper cleaning helps remove sweat, dust, and other dirt particles that might interfere with the process.
So, wash your hands with clean water and wipe with a clean towel. After that, file the nails. The nail file process helps to remove the shiny part of the gel so that acetone, or the gel remover you will be using, can easily penetrate.
Be gentle when filing your nails to avoid injuring the ends of your nails.
3. Apply Acetone
While there are many methods of removing nail polish gel, acetone is the most common method.
Acetone is a highly solvent product, so it quickly loosens the gel polish upon application. So, when you are done with a nail file, dip the cotton in the acetone.
After that, apply it evenly to each nail. Dip an average amount of acetone, as too much of it may get wasted because it doesn’t stick on the nails.
4. Wrap Fingers with Aluminum Foil
Acetone should rest on your fingers for 15 to 20 minutes. However, that time can be long with the cotton wool on your fingers, hence the need to cover it with aluminum foil.
Cut small pieces of the foil and apply them gently to each nail. The foil keeps the cotton in place and presses it well so that the acetone can work well. Remove the foil after fifteen minutes.
5. Check Progress
Check the current condition of the nails once you remove the aluminum foil. If there is a positive change, gently rub the cotton wool in your fingers to wipe off the acetone. As a highly solvent material, acetone will come out with the gel polish you removed. However, you can still apply the acetone if the gel polish remains intact.
6. Buff the Nails and Clean Them
Buffing is optional, but it can help maintain the shape of your nails. When you are done, be sure to clean your hands with fresh water and mild soap to get rid of the acetone residues. You can leave your nails like that or apply nail gel polish.
Removing Nail Gel Polish with the Bowl Method
While acetone is the most popular method of removing gel polish, it’s not the only one. You can still consider using other methods, such as the hot water bowl method. To do this, you will need all the items discussed using acetone, except the acetone and aluminum foil.
Start this process by cleaning your nails and filing them. After that, dip your hands in a bowl of warm water and wait for 20 to 30 minutes. Dipping fingers in warm water soften the polish and melts it, making it easy to wipe. When done, wipe nails with cotton wool, buff, and wash your hands. The method is great, but it can take some time. It is also less effective compared to the use of acetone.
Removing Nail Polish with an Electric Nail File
Nowadays, there are electric devices that you can turn to whenever you need to remove nail gel polish. This device eliminates the need to use acetone and the other items mentioned above.
That said, the device removes the polish well, although you need to be careful not to damage the fingers. It penetrates through the gel nail polish to remove it, saving time.
However, you should only consider the electric method if you are an expert. Alternatively, you can ask someone to help you with the work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Nail Gel Polish
Check out the below mistakes, which can reduce the effectiveness of the process or cause possible nail damage.
- Not using high-quality acetone: Check the quality of acetone you use on your nails. A high-quality one will be more effective, and you will spend less time on the process.
- Peeling the gel polish: You should not peel the gel polish with your nails or a hard object. Doing so can thin the nails or damage them.
- Rushing soaking: Soaking with acetone should last for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid rushing this step for the best results.
- Neglecting your nails afterward: Don’t neglect your nails once you remove the polish. Instead, you should hydrate and moisturize them to prevent cracks.
- Applying gel soon: Do not use another gel polish immediately after the removal process. You should wait for a few hours or days for your nails to breathe so that they can be healthy.
Conclusion
Learning how to remove gel nail polish is a great tip to maintain healthy nails. The best way to accomplish the removal is to use acetone at home. You can also use warm water or electric nail gel remover in a bowl. The process is relatively easy and doesn’t take more than thirty minutes.
However, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek the help of an expert if you are busy or think you won’t do the work well.
