Gel nail polish comprises strong ingredients that hold the nails tighter than the traditional nail polish. The best part of gel nail polish is that there are zero risks of chipping while digging your hand into your handbag, and that too for several weeks. You may not have the reasons to think about how to remove gel nail polish, because of the splendid look it provides to your hands. But if you are thinking about it, then we got you covered.
Did you just ask how to remove gel nails? Before we get into it let’s see why gel nail polish has achieved so much attention. It is considered to be one of the biggest inventions in beauty standards. Let dig more into it. The gel nail polish is glossier and indestructible, unlike the traditional polish. It is resistant to chipping and has longevity, no other normal nail polish can offer what the gel nail polish does. Gel nail polishes are strong to pull off the daily wear and tear of your nails without any chipping. The gel nail polish also lasts long for two weeks.
It is recommended that you must allow your natural nails to breathe by providing breaks every few weeks. Your nails can weaken if not hydrated and taken care of. People do wonder how to take gel nails off for this very reason and seeks help in the salon or may try at home. Once you remove your gel nails, you will be able to examine your nails for any infections or any color change. Do not pick your gel nail polish as that can cause damage to the natural layering of your nails.
Table of Contents
Let’s find the step-by-step process on how to remove gel nail polish
- Filing
File only 40-50% of the gel nails, and the rest can be done with the help of acetone. Filing should be done with proper and even pressure. Do not over file your natural nails that can cause damage to it. You can always file little by little, which helps you to understand how much more you need to file. But if you over file the nails, it cannot be reversed and the damage will be done. If your nails hurt or you sense a burning feeling, then it is because of the over filing on your nails.
- Soak it
For most gel nail polish brands, a traditional nail polish remover won’t help. So how to soak off gel nails? The answer is acetone. Unlike the normal polish remover acetone is stronger and helps in removing gel nail polish. You must use 100% original acetone and no other substances or any kind of remover mixed in it. Soak your nails with cotton balls drenched in acetone on top of each of your nails, now wrap a foil around your nails making the cotton hug your nails.
- Patience
While the process of soaking happens, you can’t do anything else as your fingers are wrapped. Do not try to rush the process and scrap off your nails. Hold the patience and do some other activity or opt for entertainment, to avoid the temptation of scrapping up your nails. Soaking the nails in acetone does help in peeling off the polish with less work.
- Finish and hydrate
After the removal process, nourish your nails with nail oil. If you do own oil for your nails then you can use coconut oil or even olive oil for nourishing your nails. It’s a misconception that the gel nail removal process causes damage to your nails. If done properly and with patience there will be no damages.
It is recommended to take breaks from gel nail polish every two to three months. This will make your nails healthy again and make them ready for the next gel nail polish session.
As we have seen how to remove gel nail polish quickly, now let’s see how to take care of them and make your nails healthy back again.
- Trimming your nails
Longer nails tend to break down easily cause of daily activities. Keep your nails short and curve the corners so that it doesn’t cling to any object or even chip down. Shorter nails help your nails to be hygienic.
- Buff your nails
Gently buff on your nails at the edges to smoothen them and prevent the nails from further peeling.
- Moisturization
Using a cuticle oil massage your nails and moisture them several times a day. After the massaging session seal your nails with your hand cream. The oil absorbs into the nailbeds and the cream creates a barrier for the moisture so that it doesn’t fly off.
- Undertake nail treatment
Give a break to your nails from the nail polish for over a week or two and start with your nail treatment. The nail treatment will help you to achieve a healthy and shiny nail. It also brightens the nail color and strengthens your nails.
FAQs
How to remove gel nails at home?
Following are the steps to how to remove gel nail polish home
- Protection of cuticles
The remover acetone which will help you how to remove gel nail polish can cause harm around your nail skin. Before the acetone, apply cuticle oil. You can either use coconut or olive oil for the same. The home remedy is Vaseline, this petroleum jelly creates a barrier to lessen the damage caused by acetone.
- Loosen up
The top layer is tough and helps the color to seal in and that is the reason why gel nail polish lasts for weeks. Using a nail filer you cab scratch the gel nail polish off from the top layer and help the acetone to reach deeper.
- Soak your nails
Using cotton balls soak your nails with acetone and place each on top of your nail. Wrap the nails with aluminum foil and wait patiently. After 10 to 15 minutes, you can open and check your nails. If the gel nail polish doesn’t clean up, you can repeat the process.
- Clean your nails and moisturize
After the usage of acetone, make sure you wash your hands. After the cleansing, apply the cuticle oil to your hands.
How to take off nail polish without nail polish remover?
Below are six different ways to how to remove gel nail polish without using the remover
- Toothpaste
Apply the toothpaste on an old toothbrush and rub it against our nails. Ethyl acetate which is present in toothpaste is also present in the remover does the work of how to remove gel nail polish from your nails.
- Deo
Spray the deodorant on your nails and rub it with a cotton swab. This may take longer than using a remover. You can apply it little by little and finish off the work of removal.
- Hand sanitizers
Applying the sanitizers on your nails and rub them with a cotton ball. Repeat the process till you get clean and clear nails.
- Perfume
Just like deodorant, spray it on tissue paper and rub it on your nails. You will be surprised by the results.
- Hairspray
You can use the spray by spraying it on your nails and then rubbing it with the cotton ball. Make sure you rub it fast or else the cotton may stick to your nail. Sprays containing rubbing alcohol is the second-best option for how to remove gel nail polish.
- Using top coat
Just apply the topcoat to your nails and rub it out quickly with a cotton pad. If you have a top coat to your nail polish then you need not worry. It has to be wet helping you to peel off the nail polish easily.
How to remove gel nail polish without acetone?
Below are the steps on how to remove gel polish without acetone.
- You can start by using nails to lift a part of your nail. Look out for the spots which are loosened.
- Pour water into the loosened spot and push the gel nail polish gently off your nail.
- Instead of water, you may also use cuticle oil. Apply the oil on the nails from which the gel polish has to be removed and also on the nail with which you will be pushing the polish off your nails.
- Pushing the gel polish must be gentle. Once it is done and if you find any residue leftover, use a buffer to scrape off the polish.
- When the task is done, apply oil and then moisture it with your hand cream as well.
How to remove gel nail polish with sugar?
Following is the step-by-step process of how to remove gel nail polish with sugar.
- Grind your favorite sugar into the right consistency you want.
- Transfer it to a bowl and dip a cotton ball in it. Gently run the cotton on your gel polish.
- Apply pressure evenly, the texture of sugar with the right amount of pressure helps in the removal of your gel polish.
- Take breaks in between the process to provide rest to your nails and cuticles. Redo the process till the gel polish vanishes from your nails.
- Apply oil to your nails and also the hand cream to seal the moisture. It will also help your skin and nails to feel calm and smooth.
How to remove shellac at home?
Before we get into how to remove shellac, let’s see what is shellac polish.
This polish mixes two types of coating, the gel for its durability and protection of nails and the traditional polish for its shine and color. It is a patent form of polish.
Below are the steps for how to remove shellac nail polish.
- Firstly buff your nails gently on the top layer which can make the acetone penetrate and help in removing the gel polish.
- Soak a cotton pad in acetone and wrap the fingernails with the pad so as the acetone stays closer to the shellac layer for a few minutes. Follow the procedure until you see the polish scab off.
- With the help of a small stick, push the gel polish away from the nail. Use wooden sticks rather than metal, wooden is less harsh compared to metal ones.
- Repeat the process on every finger with gel polish.
