How to Safely Remove Gel Nails at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Removing gel nails at home can be done safely without damaging your natural nails if you follow the right steps. Here's a guide to help you take them off carefully.
Steps to Remove Gel Nails:
- File the Surface of Your Nails
Start by gently filing the top coat of your gel manicure. This breaks the seal, making it easier for the acetone to penetrate. Use a coarse nail file and lightly buff the surface until the shine is gone. Be careful not to file down to your natural nails—remove the shiny top layer.
- Soak Cotton in Acetone
Soak small cotton balls or pads in acetone. It would help if you had enough acetone to saturate the cotton but not so much that it’s dripping. Acetone is very drying, so try to avoid getting it on the surrounding skin.
- Wrap in Foil
Place the acetone-soaked cotton on top of your nails. Then, wrap each nail with a small piece of aluminium foil to hold the cotton in place. This helps trap heat and keeps the acetone in contact with the gel for a more effective removal. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Gently Push Off the Gel
After the acetone has had time to work, the gel polish should start to peel away. Use an orange stick or cuticle pusher to push off the softened gel gently. If it doesn't come off easily, re-wrap and soak for another few minutes to avoid scraping your nails.
- Buff and Moisturize
Once the gel is removed, your nails may look a little rough. Gently buff the surface of your natural nails with a fine-grit buffer to smooth them out. Finish by applying cuticle oil or hand cream to hydrate your nails and cuticles, as acetone can be quite drying.
What you’ll need:
- Acetone: Use 100% acetone for the best results.
- Cotton balls or pads: These will hold the acetone against your nails.
- Aluminum foil: To wrap around your nails and hold the acetone-soaked cotton in place.
- Nail file: A coarse-grit file is useful for buffing the gel.
- Orange stick or cuticle pusher: To gently scrape off the softened gel.
- Cuticle oil or moisturizer: To hydrate your nails afterwards.
Removing gel nails safely at home takes patience, but following these steps will protect your natural nails from damage. Avoid peeling or forcefully scraping the gel off, as this can weaken and thin your nails. Regular moisturizing afterwards is crucial to keeping your nails healthy.