How to Remove Gel Nail Polish 2022

You may not have ever needed to know how to remove gel nail paint before, but if you're avoiding the salon and opting for DIY nails instead, it's critical to know how to do it properly. Warning: removing your gel manicure by pulling it off is not a smart idea. Everything may appear to be fine to the naked eye, but tearing your gel nails off this way strips the delicate layers of the nail plate (the hard part of the nail that grows out), which can result in irreversible damage.

We asked celebrity manicurist Patricia Yankee how to remove gel nail polish at home to avoid ruining your nails.

When it's safe to do so, she recommends returning to your salon for proper removal to ensure the health of your nails. If you can't or don't want to make the trip right now, there are a few simple measures you may take at home to achieve similar outcomes.

1. Use a coarse nail file to loosen up the top layer:

The gel topcoat is a thick, nearly impenetrable layer that seals in the colour, allowing gel manicures to last weeks rather than days. Scratching the surface with a coarse nail file will make it easier for the acetone to penetrate. "When filing, use mild, parallel pressure," Yankee recommends, to prevent harming the nail plate underneath.

2. Protect your cuticles first:

Acetone, which you'll need to remove your gels, can wreak havoc on the skin around your nails, so make sure your poor cuticles are protected. "Protect the surrounding areas with a cuticle oil before you soak," Yankee advises. There's no need to invest in a high-end cuticle oil unless you really want to. Vaseline ($3, Amazon) is a tried-and-true rapid home cure. The petroleum jelly will act as a barrier, preventing the acetone from causing damage. Aquaphor ($10, Amazon) is also effective.

3. Using cotton balls and aluminium foil, soak your nails with acetone.

Acetone ($5, Ulta) is a stronger and more powerful nail polish remover than non-acetone nail polish remover, making it ideal for removing gel nail polish. Drench some cotton balls in the substance, then wrap each finger in aluminium foil to keep them in place on your nails. According to Yankee, this traps heat, allowing the gel to break down more quickly. Because the intensity of gel polish formulas varies, the wait period might range from 10 to 20 minutes. You can always rewrap and soak again if you don't get it precisely perfect the first time.

 "Sometimes it's best to do one hand at a time at home," Akila advises. To get the difficult portion out of the way, I like to start with the dominant hand." So, if you're a lefty, start by soaking your left hand's nails, and your right hand will be a piece of cake. "It's a minor adjustment, but it makes a significant difference," she explains.

4. Moisturize and wash your face.

"Once you've finished soaking in acetone, make sure you wash properly," Yankee advises. She also recommends applying a second application of cuticle oil. If you want something a little more luxurious than petroleum jelly this time, try Maccibelle Cuticle Oil ($7, Amazon), which comes in three scents: milk and honey, pomegranate, and tea tree–lavender.

Because acetone is so harsh, Yankee recommends continuing the habit for a few days "simply to refill the moisture in your nails."

5. Gently scrape away the layers, then re-soak if necessary.

After giving the acetone time to perform its magic, use the file (or a wooden orange stick) and gently scrape the layers away from your nail to safely remove the gel polish. The first several coatings will readily come off if you've soaked long enough.

If you come across more stubborn layers, you'll need to soak them in acetone again to loosen them up. Repeat the soaking-and-scraping procedure until all of the colour, including the base coat, has been securely removed.