Nail Experts Say You Should Never Peel Off Your Gel Manicure

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When getting to the nail salon isn't an option, it's important to know how to remove your grown-out gel manicure at home. As tempting as it may be, picking or peeling the lacquer off can cause serious long-term damage to your nail beds since "it’s not just the color you’re removing: It’s very likely you’re peeling a layer of your natural nail plate too," says OPI’s North America Education Manger, Sigourney Nunez. "The results of delamination are [nails that are] weak, thin, and look worn-out." They're also super susceptible to breakage.

The good news is that you easily remove that long-lasting, chip resistant U.V. manicure with items that you probably already have at home. Our simple gel nail removal guide will give you a fresh start while keeping nails healthy. Here's how to remove gel nail polish the nail technician-approved way. Next up: A DIY dip powder manicure — they last twice as long as gel nails, and you can do it at home!

100% Strength Acetone

Jumbo Cotton Balls

Manicure Sticks

Nail File

Aluminum Foil

Dual Sided Nail Brush

1. File the shine off your gel polish.

You know that clear, glossy top coat you get at the end of your gel manicure to seal in your polish? It's time for that to go. "Removing the top coat of your manicure will help accelerate the removal time," says Nunez. "You’re essentially giving your remover a head start and one less coat to break down during the soak off time."

Use a nail file to buff away the surface layer of manicure. When you think you've removed the last of your top coat, place your hand under a light and inspect your nails. Any remaining shiny patches will reveal where you still need to file. But heads up: If you start seeing spots of natural nail, you've gone too far. "You still want to see some color on the nails before you soak, to ensure you are protecting the integrity of your natural nails," says Nunez.

2. Soak cottonballs in nail polish remover.

While acetone-free nail polish removers may work fine for regular polish, you should probably stick to the strong stuff when removing gel manicures. "I highly recommend an acetone-based remover because it will break down the product quicker," says Nunez.

Fill a small dish with nail polish remover and soak 10 cotton balls (not cotton pads, which don't saturate as well as cotton balls). Cotton balls are also smaller and better fit your nail, which means less harsh acetone on your cuticles.

3. Secure cotton balls to your fingernails with aluminum foil.

Place an acetone-soaked cotton ball on top of your nail, then wrap a small piece of aluminum foil around your nail to hold the cotton ball in place. Once all ten digits are wrapped up, sit back and relax for 15-20 minutes will the nail polish remover does its thing. Once you remove the foil, the nail polish should look like it's fall off of your nail.

4. Gently buff away the remaining polish.

Gently being the key word here. Applying just a little pressure, use your cuticle stick or manicuring brush to scrape away the the remaining polish. If the polish isn't sliding off with minimal pressure, that's a sign that it needs more nail polish remover: Soak a fresh cotton ball, and wrap it up with aluminum foil for a few more minutes before nudging off the rest of the polish.

5. Apply cuticle oil.

Acetone also removes the natural oils and moisturizer from your nail plate in addition to polish, which can leave you with brittle nails. Keep your nails healthy and strong by applying some cuticle oil post-removal.

"Our hands are especially dry right now with all the extra hand washing and sanitizers we are using on a daily basis. It’s helpful to replenish some of that moisture by applying cuticle oil," explains Nunez. Show your nails a little TLC with a cuticle oil packed with ingredients for stronger, more nourished nails.

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