Gel false nails are colored nails that last long and almost resemble real nails. Most people will go to a salon to have it removed with the help of an expert, but you can skip this step and have it removed at home. Read on for information on how to remove gel false nails in three ways: soaking, filing, and exfoliating.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Soaking False Nails in Gel
Step 1. Fill a bowl with acetone
Acetone is a chemical that reacts with gel false nails to release the adhesive and lift it off your natural nail. Acetone is a common ingredient in nail polish remover, but to remove artificial nails, a certain amount of pure acetone concentrate is required.
- Cover the bowl of acetone with plastic wrap or sheet. Use a rubber band to hold the cover tight.
- Place the bowl of acetone in a larger bowl of warm water, so that the acetone is warm. Leave it for 3 to 5 minutes. Then remove the acetone from the bowl so it doesn't get too hot. Be careful with this process, because acetone is flammable. Keep acetone away from any heat source, and warm it slowly and carefully.
Step 2. Protect the skin around the nails with petroleum jelly
Acetone can make the skin dry and damaged, so it needs to be protected with a layer of petroleum jelly. If you don't have regular petroleum jelly, use a lotion or balm that contains petroleum jelly.
- Dip a cotton ball in petroleum jelly and dab it around the edges of your nails. Cover the skin of the fingers until just below the top knuckles.
- Don't apply too much petroleum jelly to your nails, as the acetone should dissolve the gel.
Step 3. Wrap nails in acetone
Dip a cotton ball in the acetone until it's completely wet, then stick it to the nail and wrap it in a piece of aluminum sheet to keep it from sliding. Repeat for the other nails. Let the nails soak in the acetone for 30 minutes.
If the acetone isn't irritating, you can dip your nails straight into the bowl without using a cotton ball and aluminum sheet. Make sure not to soak it for more than 30 minutes
Step 4. Remove the aluminum sheet and cotton ball
Remove the aluminum sheet and cotton from one nail first. The gel should come off immediately when rubbed with a cotton swab. If that's the case, repeat this process for the other nails.
- You may need to remove the gel nails by peeling them off a little.
- If the gel nail on the test nail is still firmly attached, replace the wet cotton swab with acetone, wrap it in aluminum sheet, and let it sit for another 10 minutes before trying again, continuing until the adhesive has softened and the artificial nail can be peeled off.
- If this method does not work within an hour, the adhesive may be acetone resistant and another method must be used.
Step 5. Moisturize your nails
Rinse off the acetone and then shape the natural nails with a nail file. Buff with nail polish to smooth out rough edges. Moisturize your nails and hands using cosmetic lotions and oils.
- File your nails in only one direction, so you don't damage your nails. Avoid filing nails using a saw motion.
- Acetone can dry out your nails. Treat your nails carefully for the next few days. You may need to wait a week or so before applying gel nails again.
Method 2 of 3: Filing False Nails Gel
Step 1. Trim your nails
Use nail clippers to trim the part of the nail that goes past the finger. Cut it as short as possible. If your nails are too thick that you can't trim them with nail clippers, use a coarse nail file to file them.
Step 2. File the nail surface
Use a 150-180 grit nail file. File carefully in a criss-cross motion to get an even finish, moving the file around so you don't feel hot in one place.
- This thought process can take a long time. Be careful not to file too quickly or unevenly, which could damage the natural nail underneath.
- Clean the gel false nail powder frequently. This will allow you to see how long the gel nail is left, so it doesn't hit the real nail.
Step 3. Look for signs that the natural nail is almost visible
You won't continue to file once you touch your natural nail, as this can damage it. Signs if it is close to natural nails are:
- The amount of residual powder produced from filing the gel false nails.
- The edges of the real nails are visible.
Step 4. File any remaining gel nails using a finer nail file
Do it slowly and carefully so that you do not file the surface of the natural nail. While damage is difficult to avoid when removing artificial nails, doing so with care will lessen the impact. Keep going until the fake nails are all removed.
Step 5. Moisturize your nails
Use a nail polisher to smooth the surface of the nail, which may have been scratched during the filing process. Moisturize your nails and hands with lotion or oil and stay away from chemicals or other harsh substances for a few days. Wait a week before reapplying gel nails.
Method 3 of 3: Exfoliate Gel False Nails
Step 1. Wait until most of the nails are cracked
The gel tends to crack after a week or two, and you should wait until it's all gone to start peeling off on its own, thereby reducing the damage to the nail surface.
Step 2. Insert a cuticle stick under the surface of the gel false nail
Move it carefully until the artificial nail lifts slightly from the edges. Don't poke too hard under the false nail, as you may damage the natural nail.
Step 3. Peel off the gel false nails
Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to reach the edges of the fake nail and peel it off. Repeat on all fingers until the false nail is completely peeled off.
- Do not peel the gel false nails hard. One layer of real nail may get carried away.
- If gel nails are hard to peel off, try another method to remove them.
Step 4. Moisturize your nails
Use a nail file to smooth out the edges, and use a nail polisher to smooth out any rough areas on the nail surface. Rub lotion or oil on your nails and hands. Wait a week before reapplying gel nails.
Tips
- Real nails become brittle and sensitive to chemicals and cleaning products when gel nails are removed, so wear protective gloves when cleaning for a few weeks.
- If you're patient enough, just let the nail grow back, then trim regularly to remove the gel-coated edges until all of the gel false nails are gone. This method is more time consuming, but it is also the healthiest and most natural way to remove artificial nails.
- The same method can be used to remove acrylic false nails.
- Fill a bowl with warm water (as warm as you can stand), and let the nails soak for about 15 minutes. Warm a little olive oil and massage your nails and fingers with olive oil, especially concentrating on the cuticles and any gaps under the gel false nails. Gently pry and massage the gap between the gel nail and the real nail but don't tear the fake nail in one stroke. Repeat a few days (a day) once. The gel false nails will come off on the 4th or 5th day.
Warning
- Avoid breathing acetone vapor during preparation and soaking. This method is best done in a well-ventilated area.
- Exfoliating nails can result in damage to the natural nail.
- Never use melted sugar, because it can cause burns.
- Acetone is highly flammable. Never heat it in the microwave or stove. Also be careful when heating it with warm water.
Things You'll Need
Immersion
- Acetone
- Bowl
- Cotton ball or tissue
- Aluminum sheet
- nail file
- nail polish
- Lotion or oil
Thoughts
- Coarse nail file
- Fine nail file
- nail polish
- Lotion or oil
Exfoliation
- Cuticle booster
- Tweezers
- nail file
- nail polish
- Lotion or oil
