How To Remove Gel Nail Polish At Home Without Damaging Your Nails, According To Experts

I love getting my nails done as much as the next person – from a structured gel mani to the TikTok-famous Russian manicure, I’m down to try anything. That’s the fun part. The not-so-fun part? Depending on the kind of manicure I get, the removal process can be a pain. With gel manicures, for example, it may seem like the easiest way to remove the polish is by peeling if off – but that can be a lot more damaging to your nails than you think.

I’m personally guilty of doing this, and trust me, not letting the pros handle it has its consequences. “The products used during gel manicures are designed for good adhesion between the base coat and the actual nail, so when you peel, you’re basically tearing the upper layer of the natural nail off with the polish,” says Anastasia Totty, a nail technician and brand educator for LECHAT Nails. “You’re literally stripping parts of the keratin layer off your natural nail.”

Meet the experts: Syreeta Aaron, nail technician and brand educator for LECHAT Nails, Anastasia Totty, nail technician and brand educator for LECHAT Nails

Even worse, any cracks or openings formed can lead to bacteria growth. So, once your nails start wearing down, it’s best to head back to the salon for a fresh set. But if you need to remove a gel manicure quickly, you can do so at home – it’s not that difficult, but you need are the right tools. 

READ MORE: What Is A Russian Manicure – The Trend That’s Taking Over TikTok?

Ready to give it a shot? Read on for all the pro tips you’ll need, along with detailed instructions on how to remove gel nail polish at home. 

What you’ll need

To remove gel nails at home, you’ll need to stock up on the essentials. Here’s everything you’ll need in your kit: 

• Nail filer
• Cuticle pusher
• Cotton balls
• Aluminum foil
• Soak off remover or acetone
• Cuticle oil
• Glass bowl (optional)
• Nail clipper (optional)

Once you have everything you need at hand, you’re ready to get started.

Step 1: Prep your cuticles

Acetone can be harsh on the skin around your nails. So to start, gently push your cuticles back. If you feel comfortable, follow that up with a cuticle nipper to cut away any dead skin. From there, you may or may not need to apply a light cuticle oil with a cuticle softener. 

“Figure out what you want to do after you take off the gel because that can make a difference in how you approach this process,” says Syreeta Aaron, a nail technician and brand educator for LECHAT Nails. “For example, I wouldn’t recommend using oil if you plan on putting gel back on. When you’re putting gel polish onto your natural nails, the goal is to remove all natural oils so that the gel polish can adhere best.”

READ MORE: How To Strengthen Brittle Nails, According To Dermatologists

Step 2: File off the first layer of paint

Filing your nails before soaking them will ensure the acetone can break down the polish. Aaron and Totty recommend using a filer that has 100/180 grits. 

You’ll want to file the surface so that it’s matted. You may have several layers of polish depending on the color you’re wearing, but there are still cues that will tell you when to stop. “You know you’re done filing when it’s not white anymore,” says Aaron. “When you file the topcoat it’s going to look white. Once it stops looking chalky white, you know you’ve gotten down to your shade of whatever color you have.”

You can also file the topcoat off using an e-filer. Just make sure you’re not applying too much pressure or filing them down for a prolonged time. If you feel any pain, stop immediately.

Step 3: Soak your nails in acetone

Unfortunately, regular nail polish remover won’t work on a gel manicure. Instead, you’ll need acetone or a soak-off remover designed specifically for gel nails. “Regular polish remover will not contain enough acetone,” says Totty. “It’ll take forever and won’t be very effective.” She adds that some polishes are resistant to acetone, which is why it’s so important to file over your nails beforehand.

There are two ways to approach this step. If you prefer to dip your nails, pour acetone into a glass bowl and soak your nails for fifteen to twenty minutes. If you want to avoid any potential mess that comes with dipping your fingers in the bowl, you can soak a piece of a cotton ball with acetone, place it on your nail, and seal it over the nail with a piece of aluminum foil. 

Step 4: Remove the remaining paint

After soaking in acetone or remover, you may notice that the gel has started to break down. Use a cuticle pusher to push the remainder of the gel polish off the free end of the nail. If some paint remains, don’t force it off. Instead, soak your nails for an additional ten minutes, and try again. 

READ MORE: 9 Great Hand Creams That’ll Prevent Dry, Cracked Hands

Step 5: Buff and shape your nails

Once the paint is gone, you can clip or shape your nails any way you please by cutting them with a nail clipper, filing them down, or prepping for a new set of gel. If you plan on filing, Aaron recommends opting for a glass filer instead of one with grits.

Important note: If you plan on getting another set of gel nails, you’re done! You don’t want want to apply any oils on your hands or nails before a new mani.

Step 6: Hydrate and strengthen your nails

Once you’ve shaped your nails, hydrate and restore them using cuticle oil; it’s not just reserved for fresh manicures or post-removal aftercare – you should actually be using it regularly!

“That has to be your daily routine,” says Totty. “Two to three times a day. It’s absolutely safe to use, and it’s great for nourishing that natural nail plate and replenishing all the vitamins.” You can also follow up with a light hand lotion if your hands are dry from soaking in the acetone.

What if my nails are damaged? 

If you’ve noticed your nails are damaged, you may have to take a break from manicures for a bit. Blood, bruises or dents will indicate that it’s unsafe to do any kind of service. In this case, Totty suggests waiting three to four weeks to allow the nails to heal. Doing so any sooner may lead to an infection, chemical burn, or other complications.

This article by Sabrina Talbert was originally published on Women’s Health US.