Whether you consider yourself a lover of intricate nail art or a minimalist gel mani lover at heart, the urge to pick and peel grown-up nail polish is universal. The ease with which you can clean up an unkempt manicure this way is almost too good to pass up, especially if you don’t have time to stop by a nail salon to do it for you. But while this particular cuticle may feel and look good in the short term, it can cause a lot of damage to your natural nails in the long term.
Below, the experts explain how bad peeling polish can be for your nails and how to remove gel polish properly. Read this to protect your nail beds from any damage.
What is gel nail polish?
Gel nail polish is a professional nail polish that lasts longer than the traditional formulas we are used to. If Brittney Boyce, the celebrity nail artist responsible for some of Megan Fox and Kim Kardashian’s most Insta-worthy manis, explains that a gel manicure uses an LED light to harden the polish and create a hard exterior to make the nails chip-resistant and shiny. Because it involves a different application process than regular nail polish, removal is also different and requires special care so that you do not damage your nails.
How to remove gel nail polish in a salon
All experts agree that the best way to remove gel polish is to go to a nail salon and have it done by a professional. Famous nail artist Queenie Nguyen says that a nail technician will first use a coarse nail file to remove the glossy top coat and roughen the surface. They then place individual cotton pads or cotton balls soaked in acetone on each nail and wrap the fingers in aluminum foil to let the acetone sit for about 10 minutes. Then they remove the covering and use a cuticle stick or cuticle pusher to gently push the gel away from your nail bed. They then use a buffer and gently smooth the nail surface and finish with cuticle oil to rehydrate and condition your natural nail.
How to remove gel nail polish at home
Don’t have time to make an appointment? No problem. You can remove the gel polish from the comfort of your own home, as long as that’s the case terribly carefully. “Make sure you take the time necessary to remove it properly and gently,” says Nguyen. “Don’t use a drill at home to speed up the process.”
This will be very similar to the removal process of a gel manicure or pedicure in the salon. Marisa GarschickMD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, says you’ll want to start by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the cuticle and surrounding skin for nourishment. Then soak a piece of cotton in acetone (the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends 100% pure acetone for best results) and place it on the nail bed before wrapping the cotton ball in clear plastic or foil to create a good seal. Let this sit on your nails for about 10 minutes (longer if your gel polish is thick).
Once enough time has passed, remove the covering and cotton pad. While Garshick says you can use a warm washcloth to gently push off the nail polish, Boyce recommends something like this Aprés’ Gel Polish Remover tool to loosen the gel if you find you need more pressure to remove it.
