Shellac is a nail beauty product brand that combines nail polish and nail gel. This product can be applied directly to the nails, like regular nail polish, but must be UV dried, like a gel. To clean it, you usually need an acetone nail polish remover. However, acetone can make skin and cuticles feel dry. If you want to avoid this, try wetting your nails with non-acetone cleanser.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing Your Nails and Work Area
Step 1. Cover your work area to protect it from nail polish remover
Even non-acetone nail polish remover can damage some materials. So, it's a good idea to spread newspapers, towels, trash bags, or other protective layers over the area you're using.
- If you spill nail polish remover on the protective film, stop working and clean up the spill immediately. Then, spread out new newspaper after the area has dried.
- Glossy magazine pages are a great option for protecting tables and other finishes.
- Choose a comfortable area to work, such as a desk in front of the TV. This process can take up to 30 minutes.
Step 2. Scrape the surface of the nail gently with a slightly rough file
If you start to see a layer of real nail polish on the underside of the polish, you're scraping it too hard. Just rub the file over the surface of your nails a few times to remove the shine.
Although not mandatory, this method can give a wider area of the nail before the cleaning liquid so that the effect is stronger. Since the nail polish remover used is not very strong, this method will help you get the best results
Step 3. Coat the skin around the nail with cuticle oil
Even without acetone, nail polish remover can still dry out the skin and cuticles around the nails. To prevent this, dip a cotton swab in cuticle oil and rub it into the skin around the nail and the skin at the base of the nail, the cuticle.
- If you don't have cuticle oil, use healthy natural oils, such as olive, almond, coconut, or jojoba oil.
- You can use petroleum jelly to create a protective layer of skin around your nails.
Step 4. Prepare 10 strips or strips of aluminum foil to wrap around your fingers
This paper should be large enough to be wrapped with cotton wool around your fingers and you will need one sheet for each finger. Aluminum foil tears so easily that you can tear it directly by hand or use scissors, if necessary.
- Remember, it's best to prepare a sheet of paper that is larger than you think. Paper that is too large can be cut, but paper that is too small cannot be repaired.
- Paper strips must be at least 13-19 cm2 in size.
Method 2 of 3: Wrapping Nails
Step 1. Dip a cotton swab in non-acetone nail polish remover
Make sure the cotton is completely wet. If you want, you can tear the cotton swab to fit on top of the nail, but still big enough to cover the entire surface of the nail polish. You will need 1 cotton swab for each nail.
- You can apply nail polish remover to a cotton swab straight from the bottle, or you can pour it into a bowl and dip a cotton swab in it.
- You can also use a non-acetone nail polish remover sheet. Fold this sheet once or cut it to reduce contact of the product with your skin.
- It's a good idea to clean your nails one by one. So, just wet one cotton swab for now.
Step 2. Place a moistened cotton swab on one of the nails
Cover the entire nail surface with cotton. You may need to press the cotton slightly to make sure it adheres tightly to the surface of the nail.
- You can start cleaning whichever nail you want, but it's a good idea to clean the nail on your dominant hand first because after you've bandaged it, you'll need to use the other hand.
- If your dominant hand is right-handed, for example, it may be easier to bandage your left hand if it hasn't been bandaged. After that, use the fingers of the right hand that has been bandaged to cover the nails on the left hand.
Step 3. Wrap a cotton swab around your fingers with aluminum foil
Place the flat side of the foil onto the cotton swab, then wrap it around the sides and tops of your fingers. Press and pinch the foil to seal it.
Make sure you bandage it tight enough as the foil should hold the cotton in place
Step 4. Repeat this process on each nail
Once you've bandaged your nails, the process will be even more complicated because you don't want to damage the wraps you've already made. Work slowly and watch what you're doing, and don't expect too much to wrap it up perfectly.
Keep working until all your fingers are wrapped in the cotton and foil
Step 5. Let the foil sit for 10 to 15 minutes
This will allow the non-acetone nail polish to be absorbed into the nail. When you're done, pull out the foil you first installed and check for the Shellac to stick. If the coating appears to be peeling from the nail and appears mushy or sticky, the cleaning process has been successful.
If the nail polish doesn't peel off, wrap your fingers again and wait 5 minutes before doing a re-examination
Method 3 of 3: Scrape Nail Polish
Step 1. Remove the foil from the first finger after the nail polish peels off
Once the nail polish starts to peel off at the edges, you can remove the foil. Again, you should handle the fingers one at a time. So, no need to remove all the wrapping at once.
- If the nail polish remover starts to irritate your skin, you can remove the foil. However, Shellac may turn sticky or sticky as it dries making it more difficult to clean. If this happens, you will need to wet your nails again.
- You may need to re-wrap your nails if all the polish isn't peeling off. So, don't throw away the aluminum foil that was used earlier.
Step 2. Use a cotton swab to wipe off as much of the stuck paint as possible
Press the cotton firmly while wiping it from root to tip. If necessary, you can flip the cotton and repeat this process.
Don't be afraid if the paint doesn't peel off immediately; wiping it 1 or 2 times is usually enough
Step 3. Scrape off the remaining nail polish that is still attached with an orange stick
Orange stick products, otherwise known as cuticle pushers, are small wooden sticks with slightly slanted ends. While this is usually used to push the skin around the nail, you can also use it to remove Shellac. Stick the pointed end under the nail polish, then lift it to pry off the nail polish.
- Beauty tools made of wood can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Orange sticks are very cheap. So, buy a pack of these products and throw them away after use. Never use someone else's used orange stick because it can increase the risk of infection.
- You can find the kit at any store that sells beauty or nail care products.
Step 4. Wet your nails again if there is nail polish that won't peel off
Do not scrape too hard if the nail polish is difficult to peel off, as this can injure the surface of your nails. However, replace the cotton swab on your nail (use a new cotton swab if necessary), re-wrap the nail with foil, and wait 5 minutes or so.
Non-acetone nail polish remover is not as strong as products containing acetone. So, sometimes you need to wet your nails longer if the polish is a little difficult to peel off
Step 5. Repeat the same process for each nail
Once you've finished removing the nail polish on one nail, you can of course repeat the process on the other nail. Remove the foil from each nail one by one, then wipe the nail polish off with a cotton swab and scrape off the residue with an orange stick.
When you're done, switch to another nail until all the polish has been removed
Step 6. Apply moisturizer to your nails when you're done
Non-acetone nail polish remover can dry out skin and scrape nails can make them feel rough. Apply a small amount of moisturizer, such as cuticle oil or hand cream, to the surface of the nail.
