

Then, let your nails soak for for about 10 to 15 minutes, letting them go longer if the polish doesn't easily slide off.


"The biggest mistake that leads to gel not coming off completely is not soaking the cotton enough."Īccording to the American Academy of of Dermatology Association, using plastic wrap is another great option for removal, as it creates a tighter seal than foil, so the acetone is less likely to drip. "Acetone evaporates quickly," Kandalec says. Place a cotton ball or pad (the latter holds liquid better, according to celebrity nail artist Elle) in acetone on each of your nails, then wrap the tip of your finger in foil to hold the ball in place. Now for the step that will test your patience. Be careful not to file off the entire polish as that can cause damage. You know you've removed enough of the topcoat when the color fades and finish becomes dull, Kandalec adds. "I recommend using a medium 180 grit file to gently remove as much of the top coat as you can," New York-based celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec says. If you want to take the entire manicure off completely, start by carefully filing away just the top coat seal. Sarah Gibson Tuttle, CEO and founder of the celeb-favorite nail salon Olive & June, says if one nail breaks or chips, file it down to a shape that you want and to leave it alone after if you can. First, you're going to want to grab a fresh nail file (we love ones from Tweezerman at any drugstore). That moment of satisfaction will be fleeting, but the damage you inflict on your nails could take weeks to repair.ĭon't overthink it: removing gel nails at home is the same exact process as the salon. We know too well the temptation that comes with wanting to pick and peel off your gel polish.
GELISH KEEP IT SIMPLE HOW TO
View full post on Instagram How to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home
GELISH KEEP IT SIMPLE PROFESSIONAL
In addition to applying acetone-soaked cotton balls directly to the nail and wrapping them in aluminum foil for upwards of 10 minutes, your local nail salon may also opt to use professional tools, like a nail drill, to remove residual gel polish.

To prevent damage, we recommend taking a breather between gel applications and using essentials like nail strengthener and cuticle oil to help your natural nails maintain their firmness. When applied too frequently, gel nail polish has the potential to weaken your nails overtime. And since these manicures are long-lasting, you can cut down on the number of visits you make to your local nail salon. While regular manicure generally don't make it past a week without a few chips, gel manicures are built to last, as they're cured and hardened under an LED light to avoid chipping. With a couple key tools (you might need to do some online shopping for this) and a little patience you’ll have healthy, naked nails in no time. We asked nail experts for their pro-tips on how to remove gel polish safely from the comfort of home. Aside from visible regrowth not looking quite as fresh as you’d like, letting gel polish grow too far can strain the health of your nails, leaving them frail and damaged (due to weight imbalance and lifted, jagged edges). But if you haven't been to a nail salon in a few weeks (or months), you will likely come to a point where your gel nails require maintenance that only a professional can offer. Your mani may not be the most pressing thing on your mind these days.
