How to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home: Gentler Methods

You've kept your gel nail polish intact for weeks, but now you're ready to swap out your nail art with a fresh design. So, how can you remove your gel nail polish quickly, thoroughly, and (above all) safely?

Key Takeaways

1. Gather your materials
2. File the gel top coat
3. Prepare your cotton pads
4. Soak & wrap your nails
5. Wait 10 - 15 minutes
6. Remove gel polish with a cuticle stick
7. Apply cuticle oil or hand cream

Keep reading to learn more.

See Related: 6 Bubble Bath Nail Ideas That Are Perfect for Minimalists

How Do I Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home?

#1. Gather Your Materials

Here's a flashback to high school chemistry class. The first step in any procedure is to gather your materials. For this, you'll need the following:

• Coarse nail file
• Nail buffer
• Acetone nail polish remover
• Cuticle stick
• Aluminum foil
• Cotton pads or cotton balls
• Cuticle oil or petroleum jelly

#2. File the Gel Top Coat

Using a coarse nail file, file down the top layer of the gel top coat until it is no longer shiny. File from the cuticle to the nail tip, from left to right.

#3. Prepare Your Cotton Pads

Whether you'll be using cotton pads or cotton balls, cut them into strips the size of each nail. This reduces the risk of soaking your skin or cuticles with acetone. Then, soak each strip of cotton with acetone.

#4. Soak & Wrap Your Nails

Place an acetone-soaked cotton on each nail when they are damp but not dripping. Quickly wrap each finger in a small sheet of aluminum foil to secure the cotton in place.

#5. Wait 10 - 15 Minutes

Once each finger is wrapped in aluminum foil, wait at least 10 - 15 minutes. This gives the acetone time to soak into and penetrate the gel polish. After 10 - 15 minutes, your gel polish should be soft and appear bubbly or curled.

#6. Remove Gel Polish With a Cuticle Stick

Take your cuticle stick, cuticle pusher, or orangewood stick and gently push the gel polish off each nail. If the gel polish doesn't come off with minimal force, soak your nails for another 5 - 10 minutes.

Buff your nails to smooth out any ridges or uneven edges. This will also help remove any gel polish residue left on your nail.

#7. Apply Cuticle Oil or Hand Cream

Using acetone on your hands can damage or irritate your nails and skin. That's why it's so important to follow up with a cuticle oil or hand cream when you're done! This will keep your cuticles and nails healthy, strong, and beautiful.

Bonus: 13 Simple Yet Gorgeous Valentine’s Day Nail Ideas You’ll Fall In Love With

Tips for Successfully Removing Gel Nail Polish

If you've tried removing gel polish before, you know that it's easier said than done.

Protect Your Skin

When you soak your nails, your skin will be exposed to the chemicals, too. This can lead to redness, dryness, and cracking. Protect your skin with a cuticle oil or hand cream to create a protective layer between your skin and the acetone.

Buff Your Nails

Using a nail buffer or nail file to remove some of the gel polish will help speed up the process. Because gel polish is strong and thick, buffing some of the top layers will make it easier for the acetone to penetrate.

Wait at Least 10 Minutes

Trust the process! Wait at least 10 minutes to make sure the acetone has adequate time to penetrate the gel polish. If the gel polish doesn't slide off after 10 minutes, wait another 5 minutes.

The Bottom Line

Though removing gel nail polish can be a struggle, it's not impossible! As long as you are safe and thorough, you'll be able to protect your cuticles, strengthen your nails, and enjoy your nail art without worries.

Keep Reading: 11 Gothic Black Valentine’s Day Nail Ideas

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People Also Ask

• Why is it so hard to remove gel nail polish? Gel top coat creates a very strong and nearly impermeable protective layer. This is why gel polish is able to last for weeks instead of days!
• How do salons remove gel polish? Salons will start by placing cotton pads or cotton balls soaked in acetone on each nail before wrapping each nail with aluminum foil. They will then let the acetone soak for 10 minutes before using a cuticle stick to gently push off the gel polish.
• Can you remove gel polish with a regular nail polish remover? Though you can try, regular nail polish remover isn't usually strong enough to dissolve gel polish.
• Is it okay to peel off gel nail polish? Uh, no! Peeling off gel nail polish also peels off the upper layer of your natural nails, which leads to thin, bendy, and brittle nails. Though this might seem like a quick way to remove gel nail polish, it will destroy your natural nails in the long run.

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