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If you're considering removing your gel nails, you might want to head to a salon, but doing it yourself at home can also be an option, especially if you want to steer clear of acetone. Acetone can be harsh on your skin, stripping away its natural oils. You can try peeling or filing your gel nails without acetone, or you can opt to soak your nails first to make the process smoother. Regardless of the method you choose, remember to moisturize your hands and nails afterward.
Steps to Follow
Peeling Off Gel Nails
Lifting the edges of the gel nails is the first step. Wait until the nails show signs of chipping, then gently lift a section of the gel nail using your fingernail or a pair of tweezers. Waiting a week or two before attempting to remove the gel nails can minimize damage to your natural nails, as the gel will have started to loosen and chip away on its own.
Using Lukewarm Water to Remove Gel Polish To remove gel polish, start by running lukewarm water over the lifted edge of the nail. With your other hand, gently push the gel off the natural nail. Take your time to avoid damaging your natural nail.
Utilizing Olive Oil or Cuticle Oil for Stubborn Nails If the gel nail doesn't come off easily with water, try using olive oil or cuticle oil instead. Apply oil to the gel nail and underneath it, then gently push it off using your fingernail or an orangewood stick.
Buffing Away Remaining Gel Residue After removing the gel nail, there might still be some residue left. Use a nail file to gently buff it away, ensuring not to damage your natural nail. Opt for the smoother side of the file for this task.
Moisturizing Your Nails and Hands The gel nail removal process can leave your nails and hands dry. Afterward, apply cuticle oil to your natural nails and moisturize your hands with hand cream to keep them nourished and hydrated.
Using a Nail File for Filing Off the Nails
Begin by Trimming Your Nails Start by trimming your nails as short as possible to minimize the area you'll need to file down. If your nails are too thick to trim with a nail clipper, use the coarse grit side of your nail file to thin them out before clipping.
File Down the Nail Surface with Coarse Grit Gently file the surface of your nails using the coarse grit side of your nail file. Make sure to file evenly in crosshatches to maintain a smooth appearance. Use a metal nail file for quicker removal, but be cautious not to damage your natural nails.
Condition and Buff Your Nails After removing the gel polish, moisturize and nourish your nails by buffing them with a nail buffer. Apply lotion or oil to keep your nails and hands hydrated, as filing off gel nails can cause some damage to your natural nails.
Soften Gel Polish with a Soak
Prepare a Warm Soak Solution Fill a small bowl with warm water, dish soap, and salt. Ensure the water is warm enough to loosen the gel polish effectively. Add more warm water if needed during the soaking process to maintain the temperature.
Soak Your Hand for 15-20 Minutes Submerge your hand in the bowl, ensuring all nails are covered by the solution. Keep your hand still under the water for 15-20 minutes. You can soak one hand at a time or both together.
Dry Your Hand with a Towel After soaking, remove your hand from the bowl and pat it dry with a clean towel. You may notice some of the gel nails starting to crack or peel off. If needed, repeat the soaking process or proceed to other removal methods.
Peel or File Off the Gel Nails Soaking alone may not remove the gel nails entirely, but it will make the removal process easier. Once soaked, you can choose to peel or file off the gel nails using an acetone-free method. Ensure your nails are completely dry before filing.
Essential Supplies
Removing Gel Nails by Peeling
- Essential supplies: cuticle oil or olive oil, nail file, tweezers (optional), orangewood stick (optional)
Removing Gel Nails by Filing
- Essential supplies: nail file with coarse and fine sides, metal nail file (optional), lotion or oil
Softening Gel Polish with Soak
- Essential Items: small bowl, dish soap, salt, hand towel
Helpful Tips
- After removing your gel nails, avoid exposing your nails and hands to harsh substances for a few days.
Important Warnings
- Removing gel nails without acetone can damage your natural nails, regardless of caution. It's advisable to use acetone for removal, either at home or in a salon.
