How to Remove Gel Polish at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Remove Gel Polish at Home, Gel nail polish has emerged as a favorite for any individual who has vision of having a long time elaborate manicure without chipping. Nevertheless, gel polish is not very easy to remove especially if the wrong method is used in the process might be very destructive to the nails. Fortunately, when properly done, gel polish can be safely removed at home without the need for services of a professional salon.
In this article, learn the process of removing gel polish at home together with some safety measures to follow in case you want to remove your gel polish.
Why Proper Gel Polish Removal Matters
When you try to remove gel polish in the wrong way, for instance, by peeling or scraping it: your nails will start to become brittle and break easily. A safe removal process enables the natural nails to be strong and healthy despite the many gels that are applied on the nails.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following supplies:
- Acetone: Pure acetone is the most suitable to use when trying to dissolve the gel polish.
- Cotton balls or pads: For soaking the acetone.
- Aluminum foil: Which are used to cover your nails and hold the acetone in place.
- Nail file: As a tool used to create light abrasion on the surface of gel polish.
- Cuticle pusher or orangewood stick: Packaging: For removing softened gel polish softly.
- Nail buffer: It is gentle enough to remove gel nails but to also shape and shine your nails after gel nails are removed.
- Cuticle oil: To moisturize and feed your nails after they have been shaped.
- Hand cream: For extra moisture and care.
Optional Items:
- Bowl of warm water: To facilitate the process of eliminating the sino-platonean theory from the Brazilian political agenda.
- Nail clips: They are opposed to the aluminum foil wraps.
Step-by-Step Process to Remove Gel Polish at Home
The first steps below should be a guide on how to remove gel polish without compromising the natural nails underneath.
Step 1: Prepare Your Nails
Begin with fingernail and toenail clipping and shaping, if they are overgrown. Apply orangewood stick on lightly to remove the shiny surface of the gel polish. This makes it easier for the acetone to dissolve the layers deeper than it would otherwise be possible. Do not overfile so as not to cut the natural nails.
Step 2: Protect Your Skin
Acetone is rather irritating to the skin, so before actually applying it, coat the bordering area around the nails with petroleum jelly or cuticle oil – this should serve as a barrier. This will help reduce dryness or irritation wherever it is needed during the process.
Step 3: Soak Cotton in Acetone
Take a piece of a clean cotton, preferably a cotton ball or a piece of cotton pad and dip it in acetone. Make sure it is wet . Alternatively, the acetone could be gently warmed by placing the container in warm water (but the warm water should not be used in microwaving the acetone).
Step 4: Wrap Your Nails
Hold the acetone soaked cotton on your nail and cover it with aluminum foil and twist it. Make sure it is pinned down well enough but not too tight because you will have to take the foil off later on. Do this for all your nails.
If you’ve used nail clips instead of foil, then all you have to do is place the clips over the cotton pads.
Step 5: Wait for 10-15 Minutes
Let the acetone do its wonders for about 10-15 minutes. When your gel polish begins to chip and peel, this is the time most people will notice it on their nails. If you want your hands warmer and faster you can cover them with a towel.
Step 6: Monitor Progress and Peel Off Foil
After 10-15 minutes remove one nail gently by sliding the foil and cotton. If you see that the gel polish is coming off rather easily, then you are ready to go. If not, replace cotton and the foil and let it sit for an additional five to ten minutes.
Step 7: Remove the Gel Polish
If they’re using gel, then using a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick, they gently push off the softened gel polish. It is also important not to scrape too hard in order to prevent causing harm to natural nails. If there is some excess polish left on it, don’t try to apply the next coat—remove the wrap and let the nails soak for some more time.
Step 8: Buff and Smooth Your Nails
When all the gel polish has been stripped off, polish off the surface of your nails. This will wash off this and give their shines their natural looks back.
Step 9: Hydrate and Moisturize
Massage the cuticle oil and make your nails stronger. On the skin after extended use of acetone, apply a good hand cream to reduce skin dryness.
Tips for Protecting Your Nails During Gel Polish Removal
- Don’t Rush the Process: this may cause nails to scrape or peel and ultimately make them become weak.
- Use High-Quality Tools: Purchase an appropriate cuticle pusher and nail buffer so that the nail won’t be damaged.
- Take Breaks Between Manicures: Minimize the damage done to your nails by using gel polish and give your nails some time to breathe in between the applications.
- Apply a Nail Strengthener: Nail strengtheners or hardeners are perfect for later using as they’re effective in rebuilding the strength lost due to gel manicures.
- Hydrate Regularly: Regular use of cuticle oil and hand cream is going to maintain healthy nails and skin.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Peeling Off the Gel Polish: Peeling also affects the nail plate causing nails to became thin and brittle.
- Skipping the Buffing Step: The final coat has to be smeared to make way for acetone penetration mainly through the buffing process.
- Using Regular Nail Polish Remover: Things like pure acetone, non-acetone removers will not be effective in removing gel polish.
- Overusing Acetone: Reduce exposure to acetone since over drying and irritation is eminent.
Alternatives to Acetone for Gel Polish Removal
If you’re looking for alternatives to acetone, here are some options:
- Soak-Off Gel Remover Wraps: It is easier to remove soaked wraps and the number of spills will be minimal.
- Electric Nail Drill: A tool used for filing off gel polish although it needs some level of dexterity in handling it.
- DIY Sugar Scrub: For minimal residue, combine sugar and oil, to polish the nails after washing them partly.
Conclusion
Curing gel polish at home is not complicated at all as shown below. I thought the process of wiping the gel polish would necessarily harm the nails but chances were that if done correctly, it would not harm the nails. By doing so, you will allow your nails to grow healthy and wait for the next time you want to do a manicure.
Please remember to be gentle and slow with training. Appropriate removal is also important not only for your nails, but it also helps to have a more comfortable manicure next time. So get your tools, listen to the steps, and get the salon like nails at home!