Here's the Right Way to Remove a Gel Manicure at Home, According to the Pros (2024)

We’ve all been there: Your gel manicure has been on for weeks and you are in dire need of a refresh. While you’re tempted to peel the polish off–and it may sound like the easy fix–it’s actually damaging for your nails. Improper gel nail polish removal can lead to damaged nail beds, lifted and jagged edges, and brittle nails.

Luckily, you don’t have to go to the salon to remove your gel polish. With the right tools and steps, you'll have bare nails at home in no time. To make the removal process a total breeze, we've tapped top nail experts like Sarah Gibson Tuttle, CEO and founder of nail brand Olive & June, and celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec, for pro tips on how to remove gel polish safely and easily from the comfort of your own bathroom. With just a couple of key tools and a little patience, you’ll have stronger, healthy nails in no time—without having to sacrifice your favorite gel look.

What Is Gel Nail Polish?

Gel nail polish is a professional-grade polish that is made from thick acrylic monomers for a long-lasting and chip-resistant result. Unlike regular polish, gel polish needs to be cured under a UV or LED light to set the formula and bond the monomers, which creates the hard polish layers that last weeks. You can choose from soft gel or hard gel (the latter has a harder shell and lasts longer), and the polish can appear thicker on the nail than regular polish.

The Benefits of a Gel Manicure

While regular manicures typically don't make it past a week without a few chips, gel manicures are built to last, as they're cured and hardened under an LED light to avoid chipping. And since these manicures are long-lasting, you can also cut down on the number of visits you make to your local nail salon—which may eventually lead to getting more bang for your buck.

Does Gel Polish Ruin Your Nails?

When applied too frequently, gel polish has the potential to weaken your nails over time. To prevent unnecessary damage, experts recommend taking a breather between gel applications. Nail care staples, like one of the best strengtheners and cuticle oils, can also help your natural nails maintain their firmness.

How Salons Take Off Gel Polish

To quickly remove gel polish, most nail salons apply acetone-soaked cotton balls directly to your nails and wrap them in aluminum foil. If residual polish isn't easily removable after a 10-minute waiting period, your local nail salon may also opt to use professional tools, like a nail drill, for a clean finish.

How to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home

We know picking and peeling off your gel polish can be tempting once it starts looking worn. But while the satisfaction of freeing your hands from a worn-in look only lasts mere moments, the possible damage you can inflict on your nails could take weeks to repair.

1. File Away

Don't overthink it: The process of removing gel polish at home looks almost the same as how it goes at the salon. First, you're going to want to grab a fresh nail file. Tuttle notes that if one nail breaks or chips, file it down to a shape that you want and to leave it alone after if you can. If you want to remove the entire manicure, start by carefully filing away just the top coat seal.

"I recommend using a medium 180 grit file to gently remove as much of the top coat as you can," Kandalec adds. "You know you've removed enough of the topcoat when the color fades and the finish becomes dull." Be careful not to file off all of your lingering polish as doing so can also cause nail damage.

2. Soak It Off

Now for the step that will test your patience. Place a cotton ball or pad in acetone on each of your nails, then wrap the tip of your finger in foil to hold the ball in place. "Acetone evaporates quickly," Kandalec notes. "The biggest mistake that leads to gel not coming off completely is not soaking the cotton enough."

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, using plastic wrap is another excellent option for removal, as it creates a tighter seal than foil. Hence, the acetone is less likely to drip. Repeat on all ten nails. Then, let your nails soak for about 10 to 15 minutes, letting them go longer if the polish doesn't easily slide off. You'll know the acetone has entirely removed the gel when the polish looks lifted from the nail. Tuttle says if you want to expedite the process (and make the experience more spa-like), wrap your hands in a warm towel or a heating pad to loosen the gel. "Acetone needs heat to work properly," celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein notes.

If you don't have acetone, don't fret. Repeat the same filing step, but instead of soaking your nails in acetone-doused cotton, place your hands in bowl of warm water, dish soap, and a teaspoon of salt for 20 to 30 minutes. This should soften the gel enough so you can easily remove the polish from the nail bed. Another pro tip? Add cuticle oil into your soapy solution for extra hydration.

3. Remove Gently

If your polish doesn't easily slide off after the first two steps, grab a fresh acetone-soaked cotton ball and place it on the nail for a few more minutes. Working on one nail at a time, use a careful twisting-and-squeezing motion to pull off the foil. You can also use the remainder of the acetone from each cotton ball to wipe your nails totally clean.

4. Grab a Tool

For any leftover polish that needs a little more elbow grease to remove, grab an orange stick (never a metal tool, which can damage the nail) and softly scrape away the gel towards the top of your finger—never back and against the grain of the nail, Kandalec says.

5. Wash Your Hands

Get rid of polish and file residue by heading to the sink after removing an old manicure. Plus, hand washing makes it easier to see if there's any lingering polish while prepping your nails for the final step.

6. Nourish Your Nails

While acetone works wonders in removing gel, it can make your nails sensitive and dry. Once all the polish is off, add moisture back to your nail beds with a nourishing oil like Olive & June's cuticle serum or CND's Solar Oil. As an added hydration boost, complete your routine with a rich hand cream.

Meet the Experts

• Sarah Gibson Tuttle is the founder and CEO of Olive and June
• Julie Kandalec is a celebrity manicurist.

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