Gel polish is notorious for being difficult to take off. One of the biggest concerns is damaging your nails during the removal process.The removal of gel nail polish is different from acrylic nails or press-on nails. It can be time consuming, messy, and challenging to do on yourself—especially if you're trying to wrap foils around your fingers. There are a lot of options for how to take off gel polish, but not all are created equal.
The way a professional removes gel polish at your nail salon isn't the only way to do it. Whether you can't get back to the salon or just want to save some money, removing your gel manicure at home doesn't have to be a hassle.
In this article, we'll talk about how to get gel polish off without damaging the natural nail underneath.
A Brush on Magic Gel and Dip Remover - Gel No More
The easiest and most pain-free way to remove gel nail polish at home is a remover specifically made for gel polish. While most nail polish removers generally work for any type of polish, gel is a bit more challenging to remove. It often requires wrapping your fingers and letting them soak for 20 minutes.
Gel No More is an acetone free way to remove gel. It's specifically formulated to loosen gel for removal and is as simple as painting on a clear coat.
How to Use Gel No More
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All you have to do is buff your nail bed with a medium-grit file before applying a thick coat of Gel No More. Let it sit for 30 seconds and apply a second coat.
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After 2-3 minutes, the polish will bubble and begin to crack. Gently push off the gel manicure with a cuticle pusher tool or a wooden cuticle stick. You may need to lightly buff the nail afterward with a fine buffing block.
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If you have more than one layer of gel polish, repeat these steps several times or use a bit of acetone to remove the remaining gel polish.
Pro Tip
Once you're done, don't forget to finish off your removal by applying cuticle oil and a collagen enriched top coat. This will help nurture your cuticles and nail beds back to health between gel applications.
Why We Love It
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You can remove gel polish or dip in under 10 minutes
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Many uses from one bottle
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Saves money by not paying for removal at the nail salon
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Next to no damage to natural nails
Soak Off Gel Polish Caps
Using soak off caps or foam pads may be more involved than using Gel No More, but it is easier than other, more traditional alternatives. Soak off gel polish caps allow you to soak your fingers easily and soften the polish without having to use foils. Using this removal method is also easy on your wallet because the caps can be reused several times.
How to Use Soak Off Gel Polish Caps
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Wet the pads with a small amount of Soak Off solution and place the pad into the cap.
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Slide your fingers into the caps with your nail bed pressed against the pad.
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Leave caps on for 8-10 minutes.
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After the time has passed, remove the caps and gently push off the gel polish with a pusher.
Pro Tip
Since acetone evaporates quickly, the biggest mistake that leads to gel not coming off completely is not saturing the foams enough. Make sure they are completely saturated without being dripping wet.
Why We Love It
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Less messy than trying to wrap foils on your fingers
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Little prep time in comparison to the cotton ball and foil method
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Reusable caps for multiple removals and foam refills
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Easy to get on and off
Traditional Foils and Cotton Pads
If you want to go with a more traditional way of removing gel polish, you can use aluminum foil and cotton pads. Thankfully you don't have to cut the foils yourself if you're looking to save time; you can use some pre-cut foils. Follow these steps to remove gel polish from your nails with minimal damage.
How to remove gel polish with cotton balls and foil
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File your nails
No matter which process you choose to remove your gel nails, it is important to file and buff your nails beforehand. Use a nail file to buff the top of your nails.
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Soak cotton balls in acetone and place them on your nail beds
Place the soaked cotton ball on top of your nail and wrap it and your finger tightly with aluminum foil.You want it to stay in place while waiting for the acetone to break down the polish.The foil adds heat to speed up the lifting process.
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Leave them on for 10-15 minutes
In order to get a clean and effective removal you'll want to give the acetone ample time to penetrate the polish. Not leaving it sit long enough could result in residual polish. Patience is key!
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Remove foils and scrape the softened gel away
At the end of the waiting time, use a twist and squeeze motion to pull off the foil. You should notice that the product is pliable and comes off easily. Gently scrape off the remaining gel with a cuticle pusher. After the bulk of the polish is off, it's not uncommon to have a few pieces left behind. Use a coarse nail file to buff away any remaining gel.
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Hydrate your hands and cuticles
Soaking your nails can dry out your skin, so skin care afterward is extremely important. Wash your hands to get a clean and prepped surface then apply a little cuticle oil and finish off by using hand cream.
Pro Tip
To speed up the process, consider wrapping your hands in a cloth soaked in warm water.
How to Remove Gel Polish Without Acetone
Acetone can strip the natural oils from your skin and dry out your hands. One way you can remove gel polish without acetone is by using dish soap and salt. Add dish soap and salt to warm water in a small bowl and fully submerge your nails into the mixture. You can also use olive oil to replace the salt. Let your fingers sit for 10-15 minutes before withdrawing. Use an orange stick to push off the remaining gel polish.
Take Care of Your Natural Nail
No matter how you take off gel polish, don't attempt to peel off your nails without softening first. Peeling gel polish off may damage your natural nail because it removes a thin top layer ultimately making them prone to breaking. If your nails suffer any chips, splits, or pain be sure to seek professional assistance.
