How To Remove Your Gel Nails
Before you do anything, we recommend doing your gel removal in a well-ventilated area so you’re not breathing in acetone. It’s also key to allow yourself time, for this we suggest that you allow at least thirty minutes.
Start by gently & slowly using a nail buffer or file to remove the top layer of polish. This will allow the acetone to penetrate & speed up the removal process. A file with grit is ideal, but remember to only apply gentle pressure as you do not want to go as far as the colour. You just want to remove the shine.
Use cuticle or hand cream to coat the skin around your nails & fingertips to prevent the acetone from drying out or irritating the surrounding skin.
Cut some foil into 10cm x 10cm squares (one for each finger) and then begin by soaking some cotton wool balls in acetone. Cotton balls are best as they’re closer to your nail shape and absorb acetone well. Once soaked, place the ball directly onto the nail and wrap in a foil square, sealing off the fingertip. It can be fiddly doing this one finger at a time so take it slow. It’s also worth noting that the higher percentage of acetone you use, the quicker and more effective the results will be – you can buy these in supermarkets or pharmacies.
After about 15-20 minutes, the gel should have lifted significantly. If they haven’t, leave the wraps on and try again in five minutes. Using an orange stick, gently edge the remaining gel off. Once all 10 fingers are bare, lightly use your buffer again to remove any stubborn base coat that may be remaining. File your nails into your desired shape and finish. A final tip: always chuck away any wooden sticks you’ve used – they harbour bacteria more than any other tool due to their makeup.
At this point there is nothing more important than rehydrating your nails, a cuticle oil or nail serum will instantly add nourishment. If you are going apply nail polish again, avoid cuticle oil because it’ll cause lifting. If you find you’re suffering from peeling or extreme dryness in your nails, use this time to take a proper break and allow them to grow back into a stronger, healthier state.
For Your DIY Removal Kit You Will Need
Acetone Nail Polish Remover
Cotton Wool
A Nail File & Buffer
Orange Woodsticks
Foil
Cuticle Oil
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