If you’re someone who loves having their nails painted, you’ve probably tried gel nail polish at some point. Gel polish is a long-lasting and durable nail polish that can stay on for up to two weeks without chipping or peeling. However, when it’s time to remove it, it can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t know how to do it correctly. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to get off gel nail polish easily and safely.
Gather Necessary Materials
Before you start removing your gel nail polish, you’ll need to gather all the necessary materials. The materials required to remove gel polish are readily available at most drugstores or beauty supply stores. Here’s a list of things you’ll need:
Acetone: Acetone is a powerful solvent that dissolves gel polish quickly. You can use either pure acetone or acetone-based nail polish remover.
Cotton balls or pads: You’ll need a few cotton balls or pads to soak in acetone.
Aluminum foil: You’ll need aluminum foil to wrap around your nails after applying acetone.
Nail file or buffer: A nail file or buffer is required to file and buff the top layer of the gel polish before soaking your nails in acetone.
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, you can start preparing your nails for gel polish removal.
Preparation
Before you start removing your gel nail polish, there are a few things you need to do to prepare your nails. These steps are essential to ensure that the gel polish comes off easily and without damaging your nails.
Protecting the Skin Around the Nails
Firstly, you need to protect the skin around your nails from the harsh effects of acetone. Acetone is a potent solvent that can dry out the skin and cause irritation. To protect your skin, you can apply a coat of petroleum jelly or cuticle oil around your nails before soaking them in acetone.
Buffing the Top Layer of the Gel Polish
Next, you need to file and buff the top layer of the gel polish gently. This step is crucial, as it helps break the seal of the gel polish, allowing the acetone to penetrate and dissolve the polish more effectively. You can use a nail file or buffer to remove the shine from the top layer of the gel polish. However, be careful not to file too much, as you don’t want to damage your natural nails.
Preparation (cont’d)
Wrapping the Nails with Foil and Cotton
After buffing the top layer of the gel polish, the next step is to wrap your nails with foil and cotton. Soak a cotton ball or pad in acetone and place it on your nail. Then, wrap your finger with a small piece of foil, making sure the cotton ball or pad is pressed against your nail. This will help keep the acetone in place and speed up the removal process. Repeat this process on all your nails and let them soak for about 10-15 minutes.
After letting your nails soak for 10-15 minutes, remove the foil and cotton from one finger and check the progress of the gel polish removal. If the polish is coming off easily, you can proceed to remove the rest of the polish. If not, you’ll need to soak your nails for a few more minutes.
Checking the Progress of Gel Polish Removal
To check the progress of the gel polish removal, use an orangewood stick to gently push the polish off your nail. If the polish comes off easily, you can proceed to remove the rest of the polish. If not, you’ll need to soak your nails for a few more minutes.
Using an Orangewood Stick to Gently Scrape off Remaining Polish
Once the gel polish has started to come off, you can use an orangewood stick to gently scrape off any remaining polish. Be careful not to scrape too hard or too deep, as this can damage your natural nails. If you’re having trouble removing the polish, you can soak your nails for a few more minutes or repeat the process on that particular finger.
After removing all the gel polish, it’s essential to take care of your nails properly.
Aftercare
Applying Cuticle Oil or Lotion
After removing the gel polish, your nails may feel dry and brittle. To restore moisture and prevent damage, apply a cuticle oil or lotion to your nails and cuticles. This will help keep your nails healthy and hydrated.
Filing and Buffing the Nails
After removing the gel polish, your nails may have rough edges or bumps. To smooth out your nails, use a nail file or buffer to shape and buff them. Be gentle when filing and buffing, as excessive filing can weaken your nails.
While gel polish is long-lasting and durable, it can also be damaging to your natural nails. To prevent damage, it’s essential to take a break from gel polish every once in a while. You can opt for regular nail polish or simply leave your nails bare for a few weeks to allow them to recover.
