Feeling worried about messing up your nails when taking off gel nail polish at home? Don’t worry, many people feel the same way.

There are two main ways to remove gel nail polish: (1) the traditional way and (2) using a gel nail polish remover. We’ll give you instructions for both methods.

In this article, Nancy Nail covers step-by-step guide on how to remove gel nail polish at home using the traditional method:

Preparation before removing gel nail polish

Here are some easy-to-follow steps to prepare for removing your gel nail polish at home:

• Work on one hand at a time for simplicity.
• Pick a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell of acetone.
• Cover your work surface with a cloth to prevent acetone spills.
• Prepare 10 squares of aluminum foil, each large enough to wrap around a fingertip.
• If you’re using cotton balls, tear off 10 pieces sized to fit each nail bed precisely.

How to remove gel nail polish at home?

Be aware that the method described below is the conventional acetone method before you start.

Nevertheless, using our gel nail polish remover is a speedier fix. Unlike the acetone procedure, which takes 15 minutes to remove gel polish, this method takes just 5 minutes.

Now that you know your options for taking off a gel manicure at home, here’s a quick, easy tutorial to help you do it on your own.

Smooth your nail surface using a nail file

Gently file the gel top coat with a rough nail file until it becomes slightly rough and loses its sheen. Apply this to every nail.

With your non-dominant hand, begin. File in a single horizontal direction, starting at the base of the nail and working your way up to the tip. Steer clear of bouncing around and try not to concentrate too much on one area.

This file helps when removing the polish with acetone later on because it removes the top layer and reveals the gel polish underneath.

Apply Acetone To A Cotton Ball Or Pad

If using cotton balls, break off pieces that measure roughly 1.5 by 1.5 cm. They ought to be large enough to cover your nail but not too thick.

Make sure the cotton doesn’t touch the skin surrounding your cuticles or nails by making sure it’s not too big.

Soak a cotton ball in acetone after that. It should be slightly damp, but not drenched. Usually, 5 to 10 drops of acetone are sufficient.

Overdoing the acetone on the cotton ball could irritate your skin and result in cracking, dryness, or redness.

Use cotton pads and directly apply acetone on the pad. It ought to be damp but not wet.

Cover the tip of your finger with aluminum foil.

To secure the cotton ball, wrap your fingertip with the 3×3 inch aluminum foil you prepared earlier. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each fingernail until all your fingers are wrapped in foil with cotton balls.

Once all nails are wrapped, wait for 10 minutes. This allows the acetone to penetrate the gel polish. After 10 minutes, the gel polish should become soft and may appear bubbly or curled. You can then remove the foil and cotton ball from your nails.

Utilize a cuticle stick to eliminate gel polish

Use a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to delicately nudge off the gel polish from each nail. If it’s stubborn, continue soaking the nail with the acetone cotton ball for another 5 minutes.

Buff your nails

To level the surface of your nails and remove any remaining gel polish, gently buff away any ridges and sharp edges. 

Take care not to overbuff because this can weaken your nails and interfere with the future ability of gel polish to adhere. Nails that have been overly polished are more likely to bend, which makes gel polish easy to come off.

Apply cuticle oil on your nails

Removing gel polish with acetone can be harsh on your nails and skin, causing dryness and roughness. Consider using a gel nail polish remover that doesn’t contain acetone. Apply cuticle oil to moisturize your cuticles and maintain the health and strength of your nails. Massage the cuticle oil thoroughly to ensure all cuticles are covered.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoiding these common mistakes when removing gel nail polish is crucial for maintaining the health and strength of your nails.

Soaking your nails in an acetone bath

You run the risk of causing dryness and irritation to your nail plate, cuticles, and surrounding skin if you soak your nails in pure acetone. Your nails may become brittle and your skin may become flaky and red from this procedure.

Alternatively, use cotton balls soaked in acetone. This minimizes contact with the flesh by enabling you to apply the acetone only to the nail.

The use of an acetone bath is not recommended since it can cause damage to your nails and increase the amount of time it takes to repair them before using gel paint again.

Using an electric nail drill is not recommended

For beginners, utilizing an electric nail drill to remove gel polish is not advised. There’s a risk of unintentionally grinding into the nail plate, causing pain and sensitivity.

This can result in thin and weakened nails, requiring time for the entire nail to grow out and be replaced by a healthier one.

It’s essential to prioritize the health of your nails and avoid these practices to ensure they remain strong and resilient.

Don’t pick and peel off your gel polish

Avoid picking or peeling off your gel polish without using acetone, as this can harm the surface of your nails, leading to brittleness, cracking, and breakage. Weak nails may take weeks, or even longer than a month, to recover their health, resulting in delays for your next gel manicure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it doesn’t have to be difficult to remove gel nail paint at home. It is safe and easy to remove gel polish from your nails without breaking them if you follow the instructions in this article. 

These do-it-yourself methods can help you attain salon-caliber results without ever leaving your house, regardless of your level of experience.