How I remove gel nail polish at home | Step by Step Tutorial, by Keerat Kaur Gill on YouTube. 10 min 3 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 3 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
File the shiny top coat off every nail with a coarse file. This breaks the seal so the acetone can get into the gel.
Soak a cotton pad in 100% acetone and press it onto one nail. Use enough that the pad is wet, not just damp.
Wrap the fingertip in a small square of foil, or clip on a gel remover clip, to hold the cotton tight against the nail.
Repeat on all ten fingers and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep your hands still and away from your face.
Unwrap one nail and check it. The gel should look lifted, crinkled and soft rather than glossy.
Push the softened gel off with a cuticle stick or scraper in gentle strokes. Stop if you feel resistance.
Rewrap any stubborn nails with fresh acetone for another 5 minutes instead of scraping harder.
Buff the nail surface lightly to smooth off leftover specks of gel. Keep the buffer flat and don't dig into the nail.
Wash your hands, then rub cuticle oil and hand cream into each nail and the skin around it.
Tips and common mistakes
Never peel or pick gel off, because it strips layers from your natural nail and leaves them thin and flaky.
Use 100% acetone, since non-acetone removers are too weak to break down gel polish.
Acetone is flammable and gives off strong fumes, so work near an open window and away from flames or a lit hob.
File gently near the cuticle so you don't thin the nail plate or nick the skin.
Questions
How long does gel polish take to soak off?
Most gel comes off in 10 to 15 minutes with pure acetone. Several thick coats or hard gel can take 20 minutes or more, so re-wrap and wait rather than scraping.
Can I use regular nail polish remover instead of acetone?
Non-acetone remover will barely touch gel polish. Look for a bottle labelled 100% acetone for a soak-off.
What if the gel still won't come off?
Add fresh acetone, rewrap the nail and give it another 5 minutes. If it still clings, buff the top layer again and repeat the soak.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
