How To PROPERLY And Safely Remove Your Gel Nail Manicure At Home, by Neophyte Nails on YouTube. 6 min 25 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 25 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Wash your hands and dry them well. Look at the gel: if it is lifting or cracked, do not pull it. Lifted edges let acetone in faster.
File the shiny top coat off every nail with a 180 grit file. Keep going until the surface looks matte and dull, not glossy.
Buff the edges and any thick spots so the acetone can soak in evenly. Wipe the dust away with a dry cloth.
Soak a cotton pad in pure acetone and press it onto one nail. Wrap a square of foil tightly around the fingertip so the pad stays put.
Repeat on all ten nails, then leave them alone for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not peek early, the gel needs time to soften.
Take the foil off one hand and check the gel. It should look crinkled and lift at the edges. If it is still hard, wrap it again for 5 more minutes.
Push the softened gel off gently with a cuticle pusher, working from the cuticle towards the tip. Stop if you feel resistance or scraping.
Buff away any thin leftover bits, then wash your hands with soap and warm water to remove the acetone.
Massage cuticle oil and hand cream into each nail and the skin around it. Your nails will look dry and white for a day or two.
Tips and common mistakes
Use 100 percent acetone, not polish remover, or the gel will not budge.
Never chip or peel gel off, because it takes layers of your natural nail with it.
Work in a well ventilated room and keep acetone away from flames, it is highly flammable.
Wait at least two weeks between gel sets so your nails can recover.
Questions
What if the gel will not come off after soaking?
File the top layer a little thinner and soak again for another 5 to 10 minutes. Hard or thick gel often needs two rounds.
Can I use this method on gel extensions or builder gel?
It works on soft gel polish but not on hard builder gel or acrylic, which need filing off by a nail tech. Soaking hard gel for ages will only dry out your nails.
How long should I wait before my next gel manicure?
Give your nails a week or two of plain polish or oil to recover. Removing and reapplying on the same day leaves nails thin and sore.
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.
