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Gel nails are artificial coatings applied over natural nails, known for their durability and natural look. While most people visit salons to have gel nails removed by professionals, you can skip this step and do it yourself at home. This article will guide you through three methods to remove gel nails: soaking, filing, and peeling.
Steps
Soaking Gel Nails
Pour acetone into a bowl. Acetone is a chemical that reacts with gel nails, reducing their adhesion and helping them separate from the natural nail. Acetone is a common ingredient in nail polish remover. However, to remove gel nails, you need pure acetone with a higher concentration.
- Wrap plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the bowl containing acetone. Secure it with a rubber band.
- Place the acetone bowl into a larger bowl of warm water to heat the acetone. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then remove it to prevent overheating. Be cautious during this process, as acetone is highly flammable. Avoid direct heat sources and ensure the acetone is only warmed, not overheated.
Protect the skin around your nails with moisturizing wax (Petroleum Jelly). Acetone can dry out and damage the skin, so it’s essential to apply a layer of moisturizing wax for protection. If you don’t have pure moisturizing wax, you can use lotion or oil containing Petroleum Jelly.
- Dip a cotton swab into the moisturizing wax and apply it around the edges of your nails and the skin from your fingertips to just below the first knuckle.
- Avoid applying too much wax on the nails to ensure the acetone can effectively dissolve the gel.
Wrap your nails in acetone. Soak a cotton ball completely in acetone and place it on your nail. Then, secure the cotton ball with aluminum foil. Soak your nails in acetone for about 30 minutes.
- If acetone doesn’t irritate your skin, you can soak your nails directly in the bowl instead of using cotton balls and foil. Ensure you don’t soak your nails directly in acetone for more than 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and cotton ball. Take off the foil and cotton ball from one nail first. The gel should come off easily when wiped with a cotton ball. If the gel comes off easily, repeat the process for the remaining nails.
- You can peel it backward to help the gel come off more easily.
- If the gel on the first nail is still stuck, replace the cotton ball with a new one soaked in acetone, wrap it in foil, and leave it on the nail for another 10 minutes before trying again. Continue until the gel softens and can be removed. If this method doesn’t work within an hour, the gel might be acetone-resistant, and you’ll need to try another approach.
Moisturize your nails. Rinse off the acetone and use a file to shape your natural nails. Use a nail buffer to smooth out rough edges. Hydrate your nails and hands with lotion or cosmetic oil.
- File in one direction to avoid damaging your nails. Avoid sawing back and forth like wood.
- Acetone can dry out your nails, so take extra care of them for a few days. Wait about a week before applying new gel nails.
Filing Gel Nails
Trim your nails. Use nail clippers to cut the part of the nail extending beyond your fingertip. Trim them as short as possible. If the nails are too thick to cut with clippers, you can use a coarse file to reduce their length.
File the nail surface. Use a coarse file with 150-180 grit. Gently file in diagonal motions to ensure even filing, and move the file to different areas to avoid overheating one spot.
- The filing process may take time. Avoid rushing or filing unevenly, as this can damage the natural nail underneath.
- Continuously wipe away nail dust. This helps you see how much gel remains before reaching the natural nail.
Watch for signs of nearing the natural nail. Stop filing when you approach the natural nail to prevent damage. Signs include:
- A significant reduction in nail dust during filing.
- Seeing the natural crescent-shaped curve of the nail.
File the remaining gel with a fine-grit file. File slowly and gently to avoid damaging the natural nail surface. While some contact is hard to avoid, light filing minimizes harm. Continue until all the gel is completely removed.
Moisturize your nails. Use a buffer to smooth the nail surface (which may be scratched after filing). Apply lotion or oil to hydrate your nails and hands, and avoid exposure to chemicals or skin irritants for a few days. Wait about a week before applying new gel nails.
Peeling Gel Nails
Wait until the nails are about to lift. Gel nails typically start to lift after 1-2 weeks, and it’s best to wait until they begin to peel naturally to minimize damage to the natural nail surface.
Insert a cuticle stick under the gel layer. Gently slide the stick under the gel until the edges of the gel slightly lift. Avoid pushing too hard to prevent damaging the natural nail underneath.
Peel the gel. Use your fingers or tweezers to hold the edge of the gel nail and peel it backward. Repeat for each nail until all the gel is removed.
- Avoid ripping the gel forcefully, as this can pull off layers of the natural nail.
- If the gel is too hard to peel, consider using an alternative removal method.
Moisturize your nails. Use a file to smooth the edges and a buffer to polish any rough spots on the surface. Apply lotion or oil to your nails and hands. Wait about a week before applying new gel nails.
Tips
- After peeling off gel nails, your natural nails will be weak and sensitive to chemicals and cleaning products. Therefore, wear protective gloves during cleaning for a few weeks.
- If you’re patient, you can let your nails grow out and regularly trim them to remove the gel-covered portion until the gel nails are completely gone. This process takes longer but is the most natural and least harmful way to remove gel nails.
- You can apply a similar method to remove acrylic powder nails.
- If you plan ahead, you can use the "gradual peeling" method. Before the day you want to remove the gel nails, peel off small amounts daily without using acetone. Soak your nails in warm water (moderately warm) for 15 minutes. Warm a little olive oil and massage it into your hands and fingers, paying special attention to the cuticles and the exposed area under the gel nails. Gently peel off small sections and massage the gap between the gel and natural nails. However, avoid ripping off the gel nails all at once. Repeat this process over several days (once daily). The gel nails will come off after 4-5 days.
Warnings
- Peeling gel nails can damage your natural nails.
- Avoid inhaling acetone fumes during preparation and soaking. It’s best to perform this method in a well-ventilated area.
- Never use melted sugar as it can cause burns.
- Acetone is highly flammable. Never heat acetone in a microwave or on a stovetop. Be cautious when warming acetone with hot water.
What You’ll Need
Soaking
- Acetone
- Bowl
- Cotton balls or paper towels
- Aluminum foil
- Nail file
- Nail buffer
- Lotion or oil
Filing
- Coarse-grit nail file
- Fine-grit nail file
- Nail buffer
- Lotion or oil
Peeling
- Cuticle stick
- Tweezers
- Nail file
- Nail buffer
- Lotion or oil
