How to Remove a Gel Manicure Yourself Without Ruining Your Nails
Gel manicures aren’t supposed to chip—but let’s be honest, that’s not always the case. We all know how bad it is to rip the gel off of our nails, yet there are still many of us who fall short of The Beatles when we try to “Let It Be.” So the next time you find yourself staring at a chipped gel-polish manicure, here’s how to take it off without making a trip to the salon—or damaging your delicate nail beds. (Photo: Getty Images)
By Amber Katz
Break Out the Nail File
Give yourself plenty of time for the removal process and most importantly, do it in a well-ventilated area so you’re not breathing in all that acetone, says manicurist Jenna Hipp. Start by using a coarse nail file to gently sand down the top layer of gel. “Avoid filing too far into the color. Basically you just want to remove the shine,” says Hipp.
Protect Yourself
Next, coat the skin surrounding your nails and fingertips with a cuticle oil or a thick cream. “This will provide protection from the acetone, which is very drying to your skin,” says manicurist Tracylee.
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Soak Some Cotton Balls
Tracylee prefers cotton balls to pads because they’re closer to your nails’ size and shape. Plus, they hold on to the acetone better. “Cotton pads can absorb the acetone and dry out too quickly,” she says. Saturate the cotton balls with more acetone than you think you need, and avoid formulas with moisturizing ingredients, as these will slow down the soaking process, says Tracylee.
Reynolds Wrap ‘Em
“Start with your nondominant hand—it makes things easier—and place an acetone-soaked cotton ball on your pinkie. Then wrap a piece of foil around your fingertip to secure the cotton ball in place,” says Tracylee. Repeat on all ten nails, then leave your foil-covered fingertips alone for about 10 to 15 minutes.
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Apply a Little Elbow Grease
Pull the foil off of each finger and apply slight pressure to the nail with the cotton ball. “If there is any gel left over, gently remove it with an orange stick, working under the gel to lift it off the nail plate,” explains Hipp. “Wooden tools can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so dispose of them after each use and don’t share with friends.”
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
After a long acetone adventure, your nails will likely be a bit desiccated. “Soak your nails in coconut oil for five to seven minutes, then apply a cuticle oil on your nail beds to rejuvenate and rehydrate them,” says manicurist Jin Soon Choi. If you’re reapplying gel polish, skip creams or oils until after the gel polish has been applied, says Tracylee.
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