Shellac nail polish manicure lasts a long time but if you need to remove it before the polish wears off naturally, you can still do it. There are two basic methods, both of which are related to acetone. Read on to understand how to take off Shellac nail polish successfully.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Immersion
Step 1. Apply the oil to the cuticles
Rub the oil well around your nails. Do not remove the excess.
Cuticle oil is made to soften them and is found in supermarkets and perfumeries. By applying it before removing the nail polish, you will protect the skin from the drying effect of acetone
Step 2. Fill a deep bowl with acetone
Pure acetone works best but nail polish remover is fine anyway as it is concentrated at 60% or more.
- A solvent without acetone or one that contains less than 60% will not be effective in this case.
- Pure acetone will dry out the skin. So better not to use it often.
- The bowl needs to be large enough to put your hand in a fist. You will need to pour in about a couple of centimeters of acetone.
Step 3. Dip your fingers in the acetone
Make a partial fist while keeping the nails on the outside. Keep your hand in the bowl by soaking your nails in the acetone for 10 minutes.
- It is important to expose as little skin as possible to acetone because it dehydrates it. By keeping your hand in this position, you will end up immersing only the nails and cuticles instead of the whole finger or worse the hand.
- Soak your fingers for the full 10 minutes even if you see the nail polish starting to flake.
Step 4. Scratch off the nail polish
Once the soaking time has passed, remove your nails from the bowl and scrape off the shellac flakes with an orange manicure stick.
- To scratch properly, place the flat part of the stick on the edge of the nail and push it lengthwise under the nail polish. Repeat until the polish comes off completely.
- You can start scratching even after 8 minutes by keeping your fingers in the acetone. This way, stubborn spots will soften.
Step 5. Wash your hands
Use warm soapy water to gently remove acetone and nail polish residue from your hands.
Once the Shellac polish is removed, you will see a white residue on your nails and fingers. This residue is left behind by the acetone and will come off by washing you with soap and water
Step 6. Apply cuticle cream and oil
Generously massage a hand lotion when done. Massage the oil around your nails as well.
No matter how careful you are, acetone will dry out the skin. The hand cream and oil will help restore the lipid film, softening the skin and applying them as soon as you wash your hands will have a greater effect
Method 2 of 2: Compress
Step 1. Cut some cotton swabs and foil strips
Cut out small squares of sterile cotton that are wide enough to cover the nails of each finger. Then make 7.5 cm aluminum squares.
- You have to get ten and ten. Two for each finger.
- The aluminum squares must be wide enough to wrap around your finger comfortably.
- You can also use cotton balls instead of fabric. In this case, you don't need to cut. However, the aluminum will have to be wider to contain the thickness of the cotton.
Step 2. Apply cuticle oil
Massage around each nail.
Cuticle oil is made to soften them and is found in supermarkets and perfume shops. By applying it before removing the nail polish, you will protect the skin from the drying effect of acetone
Step 3. Soak the cotton in acetone
Dip well and remove when saturated.
- In this regard, there is a controversy about the type of liquid, pure or diluted acetone. Pure is more effective but can dehydrate the skin and nails. Don't use it frequently.
- Acetone-free solutions are not potent enough to remove Shellac nail polish.
Step 4. Place the cotton on your nails
Place each square or wad directly on the nail, covering it.
Step 5. Wrap it with aluminum
Squeeze the aluminum square tightly around each finger to hold the soaked cotton firmly in place.
- Wrap enough so that the cotton doesn't move but doesn't tear the foil or cause circulation problems.
- The aluminum will create heat which will improve the effectiveness of the solvent.
- Gently press each nail to make sure the acetone is in contact with the nail polish.
Step 6. Wait 2 to 10 minutes
The Shellac will begin to flake after 2 minutes, but it is best to wait the full 10 minutes to be sure of an optimal result.
- The more concentrated the acetone is, the faster you can remove the cotton.
- If you wait more than 10 minutes, the cotton can dry out. If this happens it could stick to the nails and become difficult to remove.
Step 7. Scratch the polish
Remove the nail polish with an orange manicure stick.
- To scratch properly, place the flat part of the stick on the edge of the nail and push it lengthwise under the nail polish. Repeat until the polish comes off completely.
- You may need to remove what's left of the nail polish with another acetone-soaked cotton ball.
Step 8. Polish your nails if necessary
If there are sticky or whitish residue, use a soft cloth or something else to gently buff your nails.
Avoid polishing files or electric tools that can weaken your nails
Step 9. Wash your hands with soap and water
This will remove any other residue.
Step 10. Apply cuticle cream and oil
Generously massage a hand lotion when done. Massage the oil around your nails as well.
