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"It just takes patience and care," says Humphrey. "At no point should you force or peel any gel away from the nail plate as this can lead to damage," she adds. However, Humphrey doesn’t recommend DIY gel application at home if you aren’t trained “due to the risk of developing an allergic reaction over time." If you look in the nail care aisle of any store, you’re likely to find products advertised as gel polish removers.
She cautions that totally non-acetone nail polish remover will not remove gel nail polish, regardless of how long you leave your nails to soak. It is important that you are using pure acetone instead of regular nail polish remover during this process. Acetone is more powerful when it comes to removing gel polish, but it does have the tendency to dry out the skin and nails with repeated use.
Step 3: Protect your skin.
"Gel manicures are a lot more durable than regular polish and you can often get several weeks wear without any chipping — think of it as a semi-permanent polish," Humphrey adds. Both gel nail polish application and removal can be very drying to your nails, so make sure to keep your nails and hands moisturized between manicures with hand cream and cuticle oil. Additionally, it is also a good idea to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen before your gel manicure to help prevent any negative effects of the UV light used. Many people prefer removing gel nail polish at home.
"Gently push off any gel that's come loose using your orange wood stick or cuticle pusher," says Humphrey. You shouldn’t have to apply much pressure. "Re-wrap if necessary and repeat if parts of the gel have not come off — never force any product off the nail plate as this will cause damage," she adds. To save both your nails and your relationship with your nail tech, here’s everything you need to know about gel polish removal at home, including a step-by-step guide. Using a long-lasting nail polish formula can be a great alternative to gels with less hassle around removal.
Benefits of a Gel Polish Manicure
If you’re a beginner, using a drill to grind off gel nail polish is not recommended since you may risk grinding past the gel polish coat and into your nail plate. When removing gel nail polish, it is easier to work on one hand at a time. You see it can be safer because filing physically removes the gel polish from your nail plate which allows you to be in control. This is unlike using acetone which chemically dissolves the gel polish and at the same time affects your nails and skin too.
The polish should be completely soft and easily slide off your nail. Do not attempt to remove the polish if there is any resistance. If you encounter hard patches, lightly refile that area and soak the nail for another five minutes before trying again. The second way to soak your nails is to use a double-boiler type method. Fill a large bowl with hot water and place a small bowl full of acetone in it.
The Edward Scissorhands (ie. cotton ball soak with tinfoil wraps or plastic wrap)
"If you skip this stage you'll find removal a nightmare, if not impossible," says Humphrey. "Some gel polish top coats are so hardwearing, if you don't buff or file it beforehand, it won't budge," Francis adds. Gel nail polish is a fantastic option for when you want your manicure to be long-lasting without the daunting process of applying acrylic nails. If you want to get the most out of your manicure, gel nail polish is often the way to go. It lasts much longer than a regular nail polish, staying shiny and unchipped for up to three weeks, and no acrylic nails are required. This extra durability is due both to the ingredients in the gel polish and the process of drying each layer underneath a UV light.
Now you can repeat steps 2 and 3 for each fingernail until all your fingers are wrapped in aluminum foil and contain cotton balls. Here are some tips to consider before removing gel nail polish. If you’re constantly getting your nails painted with gel polish, without any breaks in between, they’re more likely to become weak and brittle. Your gel polish will last longer if your nails are strong and healthy, and taking a break between manicures is one of the best ways to keep your nails in tip top shape. Once you’ve unwrapped the foil, it should look like your gel is literally flaking off.
The quickest way to remove your gel nail polish is to file it away. And if you file your gel polish off correctly it won’t cause any damage to your natural nails. The first thing you want to do is break the protective top coat of your nails.
You can also buy an at-home gel removal kit to make things easier. I would like to stress that at the end of the day, this is one nail tech's opinion of how to safely remove your gel nail polish. Finding a nail tech you trust is not easy, so if you have one then cherish them. There are nail pros out there who can safely remove your gels otherwise, but if you notice any type of damage from gels it’s likely that the removal process is to blame. To remove gel nail polish without acetone you will need water, a cuticle stick, a buffer, moisturizer and cuticle oil. If you’ve ever gotten your gel manicure removed at the salon, you probably noticed they file down your nails before starting the removal process.
Once done, get buffing; moving the file on your nails to get rid of the top coat and to see your bare nails, gel polish-less. Wondering what is today’s modern beauty mainstay, well it has to be the literal unhinged and non-chipping market fav; gel polish. Once a niche service reserved for the affluent, this nail polish is now affordable and available to one and all.
Another option is to have someone else remove the polish. Cuticle oil or petroleum jelly can be used to help protect your cuticles and the skin around your nails from any damage done by the nail polish remover. While non-acetone nail polish remover is a great way to remove traditional nail polish, it isn’t always as effective on gel polish. If you’ve tried gel nail polish, then you probably know it’s incredibly durable.
However, as anyone who’s had gel nail polish can attest to, the removal process for gel nails can be a hassle. While it might be tempting to start picking at the polish as soon as it starts chipping, this can be very damaging to your nails. Remove any remaining gel nail polish with a washcloth that you’ve just run under warm water.
Stick to Tuttle's step-by-step tips for easy, safe gel removal. First, place cotton balls in acetone for a good soak. As they absorb the remover, file the surface of your nails (just a bit!) to break the top coat seal. Then, place the acetone-soaked cotton balls on the surface of each nail; wrap each cotton ball-topped finger with tin foil. And then you wait patiently—you want to give the acetone 10 to 15 minutes for the gels to become saturated and lift off entirely. "I recommend removal while you're FaceTiming a friend or watching TV, so you're not tempted to damage your nails by rushing. No harsh removal or picking, please!" says Tuttle.
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