In this easy five step guide I am going to explain the correct way to remove gel polish at home using a few simple steps
Many of you will at some point had your nails done in a salon. It is more than likely you never paid attention to what was being applied. And even less of a chance that you have thought to ask how you should remove the gel polish when the time comes? Some gel polish brands are easier to remove than others.
Luckily I’m going to tell you how to remove gel polish, as it’s the easiest enhancement to take off yourself at home. But you still have to be a bit careful. The last thing you want is to cause damage to the natural nail by improper removal.
So I have put together a straight forward guide for you to follow. Setting out the correct process to remove gel polish nails in the comfort of your own home. So you can still have amazing nails at home when you can’t get to the salon to see your favourite nail technician.
Before we start you are going to need a few products and tools. There are a variety of gel polish removal and nail nourishing kits that you can get hold of.
What you will need to remove gel polish
- Soak off remove gel polish solution or acetone. Soak off solutions are usually mixed with nourishing ingredients. Pure acetone is dehydrating on the natural nail, so use with caution.
- Nail foil wraps or nail removal clips. I find the foil wraps work better at keeping the soak off solution from evaporating. And also keep the heat from your finger so the solutions works faster.
- Removal wipes or cotton wool. Some nail foil wraps will already come with these attached.
- Cuticle pusher or orange wood stick. Use caution if using the cuticle pusher not to apply too much pressure.
- 180 grit nail file and nail buffer.
- Cuticle oil and hand some hand cream.
Here are my five easy steps for soaking off your gel polish.
Now that you have your kit ready, set aside some time as you will not want to rush the process.
Step One: First we are going to file the surface gel polish top coat with a 180 grit file to break the seal. This will allow the soak off removal solution to loosen the product.
Step Two: Apply the soak off solution to a remover wipe or cotton wool. Completely saturating it with the removal solution before placing on nail. You need enough so that cotton won’t dry out during the process.
Step Three: Use remover clips or wrap with foil to keep the solution in place. This will keep the heat in and allow it to work faster. Allow to soak for approximately 10 mins.
Step Four: One nail at a time, remove the clip or foil and use a cuticle pusher to very gently remove gel polish from nail plate. It should flake off without too much pressure. If it doesn’t, its not quite ready so wrap it up again following steps two and three.
Step Five: Finish by lightly buffing any remaining gel residue from the nail plate. Then rehydrate nails with cuticle oil and some hand cream
“Gel polish doesn’t ruin your nails. The way in which you remove gel polish does.”
And there you have it! Five easy steps to remove gel polish at home. These steps will also work well for acrylic nail extensions or dipping powder nails. But you will need to file the surface of the enhancement a bit more and leave them to soak for longer.
One last thing. Never pick, pull or peel any enhancement away from the natural nail. Removing any nail product with force will no doubt take layers of your natural nail with it.