Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Soak
• Method 2 of 2: Packing
• Tips
• Necessities

Manicures with gel nail polish remain beautiful for a long time, but if the polish has to be removed earlier, you can also do this at home. There are two basic methods of removing gel polish, but you must use nail polish remover with acetone for both. Read on to find out how you can remove gel polish yourself.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Soak

1. Apply cuticle oil on your cuticles. Rub cuticle oil into the skin around your nails. Do not wipe off the remaining oil.
   • Cuticle oil is designed to soften and nourish your cuticles. You can get it at major drug stores. When applied to your cuticles before removing the gel polish, it will form a protective layer between your skin and the rough, drying acetone needed for this process.
2. Fill a small dish with acetone. Pure acetone has the strongest effect, but acetone nail polish removers also work as long as the concentration of acetone is 60 percent or more.
   • Acetone-free nail polish removers or removers with little acetone will not be very effective at removing gel polish.
   • You can use pure acetone, which is available at most drug stores, but this will dry out your nails and skin extremely. So it is best not to use this too often.
   • The bowl with the acetone should be big enough, as your fist has to fit in it. You fill the dish with about 1/2 inch of acetone.
3. Soak your nails in the acetone. Make a light fist so that the five nails are visible. Hold your hand in this position and put it in the acetone. Let soak for 10 minutes.
   • It is important that you expose as little skin as possible to the acetone, as it can dry out your skin. If you keep your hand in this position, only your nails and cuticles will come into contact with the acetone and not your entire fingertip or hand.
   • Keep your nails in the acetone for the full 10 minutes, even if the gel polish starts to fall off before the time is up.
4. Wash your hands. Use warm water and soap to gently remove the remaining acetone and gel polish from your hands.
   • After the gel polish comes off, there may be a chalky, white substance on your nails and fingers. This is residue from the acetone and will come off with soap and water.
5. Apply lotion and more cuticle oil. Rub a generous amount of hand lotion on both hands when you are done. Also rub extra cuticle oil around your fingernails.
   • No matter how careful you are, the acetone will dry out at least some of the skin. Lotion and cuticle oil will partially remedy this. You will get the best effect if you apply the products right after washing your hands.

Method 2 of 2: Packing

1. Wrap your fingernail with the foil. Tightly wrap a square of tinfoil around each fingertip to hold the acetone-soaked cotton pad in place.
   • Wrap the foil tightly enough around each fingertip so that the cotton ball stays in place, but not so tight that the foil tears or your blood stops flowing properly.
   • Aluminum foil creates heat which enhances the effect of the nail polish remover.
   • Gently press on each nail to make sure the acetone comes into contact with the nail.
2. Wait 2 to 10 minutes. The gel polish comes off after 2 minutes, but it will be much more effective if you leave it on for the full 10 minutes.
   • The higher the concentration of acetone, the faster you can remove the cotton ball.
   • If you wait longer than 10 minutes, the cotton ball can dry out. When this happens, it can stick to your nail and be more difficult to remove.
3. Wash your hands. Remove any remaining residue with warm water and soap.
4. Apply lotion and more cuticle oil. Refeed your hands with hand lotion after you wash them. Rub some more cuticle oil into your cuticles and nails to nourish them.
   • No matter how careful you are, a little dehydration is very likely. Lotion and cuticle oil will partially restore lost moisture.

Tips

• If you often take manicures with gel polish, have the polish removed professionally. Soaking your nails in acetone too often can cause long-term damage to your nails and skin.
• Use a glass or ceramic dish. The acetone will melt plastic.
• Be careful when scraping the polish off with a cuticle pusher so you don't damage the nail bed.

Necessities

• Acetone
• Cuticle oil
• Small bowl
• (Wooden) cuticle pusher
• Lotion
• Cotton pads or cotton balls
• Aluminum foil
• Soft cloth