Buzz
Gel nail polish is undeniably fantastic. The ability to leave the salon with dry nails means you no longer have to worry about smudging, dents, or lifting while the polish sets. Plus, it’s durable enough to endure multiple showers, countless dishes, and children's baths, still looking fresh three weeks later—a true relief for those too busy to make frequent salon trips.
However, removing this incredible polish is an entirely different challenge. Though it may be tempting to peel it off with your teeth or a coin during a dull Zoom meeting, this approach is highly discouraged. Doing so could damage the nail bed and lead to cracks. So, what’s the proper way to remove it at home?
What You Need to Remove Gel Nail Polish
The fastest and most effective way to remove gel polish is with 100% acetone remover (this differs from regular nail polish remover, which contains 90% acetone and 10% water). However, you’ll need a few additional tools. Gather a nail file, cotton balls, aluminum foil or plastic wrap, an orange stick, and a moisturizer (cuticle oil or rich hand cream). Be sure to protect your work surface with plastic wrap or a towel, as acetone can harm furniture and countertops.
Buff and Protect Each Nail
For all methods, begin by buffing each nail with the file to remove the top shiny layer of polish. Apply a generous amount of oil to your cuticles and surrounding skin for protection (if you don’t have oil, petroleum jelly works well). Then, choose your preferred method.
The Nail-by-Nail Method
For this method, start by cutting ten portions of cotton ball to fit each nail and preparing ten strips of aluminum foil or plastic wrap, enough to fully wrap each finger. While aluminum foil works, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests using plastic wrap because 'plastic creates a tighter seal than foil, reducing the likelihood of acetone dripping.' The AAD also advises that cotton balls should be no larger than each nail's surface (most nails need about half a cotton ball, while the pinky requires a quarter) to avoid coating surrounding skin, which can cause irritation.
Next, soak each cotton ball in acetone. Place one cotton piece on each nail, then cover them with small strips of aluminum foil or plastic wrap for a tighter seal. Leave on for ten minutes. The polish should be peeling off, and you should be able to lift it easily with an orange stick or a warm washcloth.
The 'Double Boiler' Soaking Method
Alternatively, place a bowl of acetone over a bowl of hot or nearly boiling water and soak for 10 minutes. This eliminates the need for wrapping each nail, but you'll need to hold your hand still in the air, fingers bent and nails pointing straight down, like a perfect eagle’s talon.
This method requires more remover and increases acetone contact with your skin. Additionally, it can be uncomfortably hot and have a strong smell midway through. After ten minutes, the tops of my fingers felt like they had been coated in Krazy Glue, and the acetone wasn’t focused enough to be effective (apparently, my submersion technique could use some work).
The Natural Method
Acetone can be harsh, stripping your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and pale, so we decided to try a natural method. As suggested by EverAfterGuide, soaking your nails in warm water with a dash of dish soap and a teaspoon of salt should work. They recommend soaking for 20 minutes. Unfortunately, we only had 10 minutes, and the nail polish barely budged. Would it have worked if we'd soaked for the full time? Possibly, but we preferred the faster nail-by-nail acetone method.
No matter which method you use, some gel base coat may remain. As Henry Pham of NailsFAQ, nail technician and salon owner, explains, 'applying some cuticle oil or cooking oil to the nails will loosen the remaining gel base-coat bits, making it easier to push them off.' And don't forget to moisturize because your nails have been through quite a bit.
