When it's time to remove your nail gel, it's best to do it at a salon. However, you may prefer to do it at home, especially if you want to avoid acetone. Acetone can be too harsh on the skin as it strips the skin of its natural oils. Try peeling or filing gel nails without acetone. You can also soak your nails first to make the process easier. Don't forget to always moisturize your hands and nails afterward, no matter what method you use.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Peeling Gel Nails
Step 1. Remove part of the gel nail
Wait until the nails have been pryed. Find the loose part and raise the gel nail part with your fingernail or tongs.
Wait 1-2 weeks before trying to peel off the nail gel to minimize damage to your natural nails because the gel has had enough time to loosen and come off
Step 2. Pour water over the raised edges and push the nail polish off
Flush fingers in lukewarm tap water. Using your free hand, place your fingers under the raised nail gel and gently push it off the natural nail. Be patient and do it slowly so as not to damage your natural nail behind it.
Step 3. Use olive oil or cuticle oil if the nails don't come off with water
If you have trouble removing your nails with lukewarm water, try using olive oil or cuticle oil. Grease the gel nails and fingernails used for pushing with oil. Then, tuck the nail under the gel nail and push it off. Add oil if needed.
You can also use an orangewood stick instead of your fingernails to push the gel nails off
Step 4. Scrub off all the remaining gel with a nail file
Even after you push the gel nails in, there is usually some gel left on your fingernails. Dry your nails and use a nail file to scrub in a gentle back and forth motion. You should only rub the gel residue on your nails, and not your natural nails.
Most nail files have a rough side and a smooth side. The rough side is best for shaping nails. This side will look and feel more prominent. To polish the surface of the nail, use the smooth side of the file
Step 5. Nourish nails with cuticle oil and hands using hand cream
The process of removing gel nails can make your natural nails and hands dry and cracked. When you're done, coat your natural nails with cuticle oil. You also need to moisturize your hands using hand cream.
Method 2 of 3: File Nails
Step 1. Shorten the nails
First of all, trim your nails as short as possible. This will reduce the surface area that needs to be filed.
If your nails are too thick to cut with a nail clipper, you can file the ends with the rough side of a file until they are thin enough to trim
Step 2. File the nail surface with the rough side of the nail file
Sand gently, and make crosshatches on the nail surface so that it looks even and smooth. Continue to file your nails until you feel a burning sensation. Move slowly and be patient. It will take a while for all of the gel nail polish to go away. Wipe off any dust that collects on your nails as you sand.
- It's best to use a metal nail file for this step as it is stronger and can file faster.
- If you file your gel nails too quickly or get rough, your natural nails behind them can be damaged.
Step 3. Switch to the smooth side of the file when you see natural nails
When your natural nails are visible behind the gel nails, stop filing with the rough side of the file. Switch to the smooth side of the file to sand off any remaining gel on the nail.
You'll know that natural nails are close at hand when you see the amount of nail dust reduced, and natural nail ridges begin to show
Step 4. Condition and polish nails
After filing all the gel polish, you should moisturize and nourish your nails. Use a nail polish to create a clean and smooth nail surface. Apply lotion or oil to your nails and palms.
No matter how carefully you work, sanding gel nails will damage your natural nails so don't skip the scrubbing and conditioning steps
Method 3 of 3: Loosen the Paint by Soaking the Nails
Step 1. Fill a bowl with warm water, dish soap and salt
Use a small bowl large enough to soak one or both of your hands. Add a few drops of dish soap and a tsp of salt.
Make sure the water is warm enough to loosen the gel paint. You may need to add more warm water if the water in the bowl has cooled while soaking your nails
Step 2. Soak your hands in the bowl for 15-20 minutes
Dip your hands into the yoke so that all the nails are in the water. You don't need to move your fingers. Soak your fingers for 15-20 minutes.
You can soak one hand at a time, or put both hands directly into the bowl at once
Step 3. Raise your hands and dry them with a towel
Remove the nails from the water and pat them dry with a clean towel. You will see some cracking or peeling of the gel nail.
If the water doesn't seem to loosen the gel nails, try soaking your fingernails again, or simply filing or exfoliating your gel nails
Step 4. Remove the gel nails by peeling or filing them
Soaked nails should come off on their own. However, once soaked, the nails should be easier to remove, no matter which acetone-free method you choose.
