To take off gel nail polish at home, follow these essential steps for a safe and effective removal process:
- File the Top Coat: Gently file the shiny top coat layer of your gel nails with a coarse nail file until it is dull. This helps the acetone to penetrate the gel polish better.
- Soak Cotton Balls in Acetone: Use 100% pure acetone to saturate cotton balls or pads.
- Wrap Nails in Foil: Place the acetone-soaked cotton ball on each nail and wrap the fingertip snugly with aluminum foil to hold the cotton in place.
- Wait and Soak: Leave the wraps on your nails for about 15 minutes. The gel polish should start to loosen and lift.
- Remove Foil and Cotton: Gently remove the foil and cotton balls. Use a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to carefully lift and remove the gel polish from your nails.
- Buff and Moisturize: Buff your nails lightly to remove any remaining gel residue, then apply cuticle oil or moisturizer to hydrate your nails and cuticles.
Additional tips:
- Protect your skin by applying petroleum jelly or cuticle oil around your nails to prevent acetone irritation.
- Work on one hand at a time for easier removal.
- Avoid peeling or picking off gel polish to prevent damaging nail beds.
- Use a well-ventilated space as acetone has a strong smell.
- If any gel polish is stubborn, soak again for a few more minutes.
This method is the safer way to take off gel nail polish at home without damaging your nails, using acetone, cotton, foil, and basic nail care tools.
