Based on 4-year nail technician experience,I put together this straightforward gel removal guide. Averagely the gel nail last about 3-4 weeks,and then the nail gel should be removed to keep the nail safe and to change the nail design.Nail gel polish is kind of chemistic substance,it can be remove by the Nail Polish Remover or Acetone.
The difference between the gel nail polish and the nail polish
The difference between the gel and the polish is that the Nail polish relies on solvent evaporation to air-dry, forms a softer film, and is easily dissolved by nail polish remover.
Gel polish is a photo-curing gel that requires a UV/LED lamp to cure, forming a harder film with stronger adhesion, which is difficult for ordinary nail polish remover to dissolve.
How to remove the gel nail polish step by step
There is steps in total to remove the gel nail polish. Before, it requires to prepare several stuff below:
- A corse file (180 grit/240 grit)
- The nail remover
- Cotton Balls (used to soak in Acetone
- A cuticle pusher (to clean off the gel)
Step 1: file the nail top film off
- The nail top film is the hardest film of the gel,and it would prevented the remover to work on the gel.So it needed to be removed first.Every tiny corner should be filed theoretically,but beginners can easily over-file the natural nail, so take extra care with this step.
- When the surface all get cloudy without the reflection light,the step 1 has been finished.
Step 2: Soak off gel nail polish
- Use the cotton to soak in the nail remover, make sure the cotton ball absorbs enough nail polish remover.
- Fix the cotton balls on the nails
- 10 minutes waitting the gel be dissolved.
STEP 3: Gently scrape away the softened gel polish
Taking the cotton balls off,and the gel polish has been soft to take off.So we can use the cuticle pusher or sth else to remove the gel like the Floss.
If there is still any undissolved gel, repeat the soaking process on that area.
Step 4:Care for hands
After nail removal, wash your hands and apply some hand cream to keep your skin from getting dry from the remover. If you have cuticle oil, feel free to apply a small amount as well.
FAQ DURING THE PROCESS
If I am allergic to acetone, can I use rubbing alcohol instead?
No,because the alcohol doesn’t have enough dissolve capability to remove the gel.the gel can not be soaked soft to clean.
What should I keep in mind if I have nail extensions?
If your nails is extension,you should cut the nails first and then to file the nail top. Sometimes the nail extension tips can not be dissolved,but it still can be scraped by 1 or 2 minutes desperately soaking.
Why do nail salons frequently use e-files (nail drills) to remove gel nails?
Nail salon requires high efficiency work, so the nail drill is the better choice to do the steady and speedy work. But the drill is not suitable for beginner and hard to do it by oneself.
Does nail polish remover damage or harm the skin?
Yes,although the remover can take off the gel polish without thin the nails,but it would take the oil and water of the skin surface instantly. Try to apply the vaseline to relieve the impact of dryness .
Reference List
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). How to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home Without Damaging Your Nails. AAD Dermatology A-Z Public Education Guides.
- Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center). Acetone Safety and Toxicity Guidelines: Nail Polish Remover Exposure. Poison Control Medical Knowledge Base.
- Sinclair Dermatology. Nail Health: Prevention and Treatment of Onychoschizia and Nail Plate Damage. Australian Journal of Dermatology Clinical Resources.
- Makevale Science Archive. Polymer Chemistry of UV/LED Cured Methacrylate Resins in Cosmetics. Cosmetic Materials & Chemical Polymer Research, Vol. 4.
