Gel nails are durable nails, applicable as if they were a polish, and very similar to natural ones. Normally, it is customary to go to a professional salon to have them removed, although this can be avoided by learning how to do it at home. Read the article and find out how you can remove gel nails in the comfort of your home: by soaking them, filing them or exfoliating them.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: First Method: Dip Nails in Gel
Step 1. Fill a bowl with acetone
Acetone is a chemical that reacts on contact with gel nails by loosening the adhesive and separating it from your natural nails. Acetone is a common ingredient in nail polish removers, but in order to remove gel nails, you will need a product with a high concentration of pure acetone.
- Cover the bowl with cling film or aluminum foil. Secure the cover with a rubber band.
- Place the bowl inside a bowl filled with hot water to raise the acetone temperature. Leave it in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 2. Protect the skin around the nails with petroleum jelly
Acetone can dry out and damage your skin, so don't forget to protect it with a layer of petroleum jelly. Alternatively, use a cream or moisturizer that contains it in its ingredients.
- Soak a cotton swab in petroleum jelly and use it to apply it to the sides of the nails. Distribute the petroleum jelly from the cuticles down to the knuckles.
- Be careful not to apply petroleum jelly to your nails, otherwise the acetone will not be able to dissolve the underlying gel.
Step 3. Wrap your nails in acetone
Soak a cotton ball in acetone saturating it completely, then place it on your fingernail and wrap it in a piece of aluminum foil to hold it in place. Repeat with the other nine nails. Let the acetone act for about thirty minutes.
- If you know that acetone is not irritating to your skin you can dip your fingers directly into the container with acetone instead of using cotton and aluminum. Be cautious and don't soak your nails for more than 30 minutes.
- If you don't have foil strips available, you can use paper or fabric tape.
Step 4. Remove the foil and cotton
Start removing them from just one nail. Rub the gel with the surface of the cotton ball, you should be able to remove it easily. If so, repeat the process with the remaining nails.
- Facilitates the removal of the gel by exfoliating and rubbing it.
- If the gel is still firmly attached to your test nail, reposition the cotton ball and let it sit for another 10 minutes before trying again.
Step 5. Take care of your nails
Remove the acetone with water and shape your natural nails with a special file. File the surface and ends to eliminate any irregularities and rough parts. Moisturize your nails with a cream product or cosmetic oil.
- To avoid damaging your nails, file one way rather than moving back and forth.
- The acetone may have dried out your nails. Treat them gently for the next few days. Before reapplying the gel it would be better to wait about a week.
Method 2 of 3: Second Method: File Gel Nails
Step 1. Trim your nails
Use a nail clipper to shorten your nails at finger height. Eliminate any protruding parts by shortening them as much as possible. If they are too thick to cut with a nail clipper, use a sturdy file to shape them as described.
Step 2. File the surface of the nails
Use a sufficiently rough file (between 150 and 180). Make cross and delicate movements filing the entire surface of the nail, move from one area of the nail to another so as not to feel any localized burning sensation.
- This process may take some time. Be patient and don't be tempted by haste or a bad job, you could unnecessarily damage your natural nails underneath.
- Frequently eliminates the dust created during filing. This way you can clearly distinguish the amount of gel still present on the nail.
Step 3. Find out when you are close to the surface of your natural nails
Once you reach the natural nail you will have to stop filing, otherwise you could damage it. Look for the following signs to notice that you are close to your natural nail:
- The amount of dust produced by the gel filings is reduced.
- You can see the natural lines present on the surface of your nails.
Step 4. File the remaining amount of gel with a finer grit file
Make slow, gentle movements to make sure you don't involve the surface of your natural nail. While it is not easy to avoid damaging your nails when working with gel, with the right gentleness it will be possible to minimize the damage. Continue until the gel has been completely removed from the file.
Step 5. Take care of your nails
Shape your natural nails by filing the surface and ends to eliminate any irregularities and rough parts. Moisturize your nails and hands with a cream or oil product and keep them both away from harsh chemicals for the next few days. Before reapplying the gel it would be best to wait about a week.
Method 3 of 3: Third Method: Exfoliate Gel Nails
Step 1. Wait until the nails are almost completely chipped
After a week or two, gel nails tend to chip, and before starting to exfoliate it is best to wait until they are almost completely damaged, in this way you can reduce the damage done to the surface of your natural nails.
Step 2. Insert a cuticle stick under the gel surface
Apply gentle pressure until the gel has lifted slightly from the nail. Do not try to insert the stick too far, otherwise you will damage your natural nails.
Step 3. Exfoliate the gel
Use your fingers, or tweezers, and grasp the raised gel layer, then exfoliate it by moving in the opposite direction. Repeat the process with all nails to completely remove the gel.
- Be gentle, and don't tear the gel layer. Otherwise you will also remove a layer of your natural nail.
- If you can't remove the gel layer, consider one of the other methods described.
Step 4. Take care of your nails
Shape your natural nails by filing the surface and ends to eliminate any irregularities and rough parts. Apply a cream or oil product to your nails and surrounding skin. Before reapplying the gel it would be better to wait about a week.
Advice
- When the gel nails have been removed your natural nails will be brittle and sensitive to chemicals and cleaning agents, always wear gloves when you come in contact with these products for the following weeks.
- Similar remedies can be used to remove acrylic nails.
