How to remove gel nail polish at home – A Step by Step Guide

With a few simple steps, some patience, and lots of TLC for your nails, it is very easy to remove your gel nail paint in the comfort of your house. Read on for the complete guide on how to remove gel nail polish at home.

Beauty treatments the world over and in India specifically are seeing a distinct shift. Today, with more working professionals embracing treatments like manicures, pedicures, facials etc, there is an element of longevity that we look for. For instance, no one wants a nail polish that cannot stand the rigour of everyday office activities.

Enter the Gel nail polish. This trend has caught on primarily due to the convenience it offers. Gel nail polish lasts much longer than natural nail polish. It remains chip-free throughout, and looks as (if not more) striking as regular nail polish. So, you don’t have to keep worrying about how your nails are looking every few days and can go about your business without any hassles. 

That being said, removing gel nail polish can be daunting for the very same reason that makes it such an alluring option: it isn’t regular nail paint.

Unlike regular nail polish, gel nail paint is a polymer that’s bonded to the nail and dried (or cured) with the help of UV or LED light. So regular nail polish remover and a cotton ball simply won’t do the job here.

There are two simple ways to remove gel nail paint at home. Follow them well and you’ll have your natural nails back without any damage.

How to remove gel nail polish at home: The Acetone Method

First, keep these tools handy before you begin: a filer, a buffer, acetone or gel remover, cotton, aluminum foil, cuticle oil, and a cuticle pusher.

1. Protect the surface on which you are working

Acetone or gel remover will likely spill and strip the varnish off the surface you will work on. It can also leave stains that won’t come off easily. Use an old towel with some paper towel on top. So even if you do spill a few drops, your study or dining table surface will be safe.

2. File your nails

The first stage is important for the efficient removal of gel nail polish. Use your nail filer and start filing off the top coat of your gel. File till all the shine is gone. This helps break the gel seal. Make sure to file the gel off well. Removing gel nail paint at home will be almost impossible if you don’t do so.

3. Protect your cuticles and skin

Apply cuticle oil to the skin around your nails. This protects against dehydration. This step in removing gel nail polish doesn’t inhibit the removal of the gel nail polish in any way. It makes the removal less drying because acetone can be harsh on the skin.

4. Soak in acetone

Dip a ball of cotton in acetone and place it on the nail. Next, wrap a square piece of aluminium foil around the cotton ball and your finger as tightly as possible. Leave it like this for about ten minutes. It is essential to soak the cotton ball fully because acetone can dry out quickly. If you find it cumbersome to do both hands together, do them one at a time.

5. Watch the gel fall off

About ten minutes after you unwrap the aluminum foil, you will see the gel falling off your nails. That means the gel has softened. Gently push off any loose gel with the help of a cuticle pusher. Do not apply too much pressure. If all the gel doesn’t fall off, wrap the acetone-soaked cotton ball and the aluminum again. This will complete the job.

6. Buff and rehydrate

This is the final step of how to remove gel nail paint at home. Once you’ve removed all the gel or it has fallen off, buff your nails gently with a soft buffer. Then generously apply cuticle oil or some hand cream so that the nail and the skin surrounding it are hydrated and don’t feel dry.

This entire process will take between 30 and 45 minutes to do by yourself for each hand. If you follow these steps correctly, you can remove your gel polish at home without harm. Be patient and do not force or peel the gel away from the nail. Doing so can damage your nails.

How to remove gel nail paint at home: Using gel nail polish remover

Use gel nail polish remover if you do not want to go down the acetone route since it can leave the nails feeling dry.

1. File the topcoat

Like earlier, file the top coat layer of the gel nail polish until it is no longer shiny and smooth.

2. Apply the gel polish remover

Apply a thick layer of gel nail polish remover over your gel nails. Wait five minutes for the nails to soak in the gel polish remover. You will notice the edges of the gel nail polish begin to peel, bubble, crack, or burst. This means it’s working.

3. Push off the flakes

Then, gently loosen the gel polish with the help of a cuticle pusher.

4. Moisturize

Buff your nails gently with a buffer and apply cuticle oil or hand cream to rehydrate your cuticles.

Mistakes to avoid while removing gel nail polish at home 

It is not difficult to remove gel nail polish at home. But there are some common mistakes you can avoid.

1. Do not soak your nails in a bowl of acetone. It will lead to excessive dryness. That is why cotton-soaked acetone balls are friendlier to your skin.
2. Do not pick on or peel your gel nail polish with your fingers. This makes your nails brittle and more prone to cracking and breaking.