Gel nails can give you a smooth finish and a durable manicure that dries quickly and lasts longer than typical acrylic nails. "Marie Claire" magazine reports that the trend began in Japan, where airbrushing nail designs required a smoother, longer-lasting surface. If you have had nail gels and they're beginning to show signs of wear, it's fairly easy and only a little time consuming to remove them. Gentle removal will help preserve the condition of your natural nails.
Step 1
Fill a small bowl with acetone-based nail polish remover. Look for a low-acetone formula, since it can be drying and damaging to your natural nails.
Step 2
Place your fingernails in the bowl so they are completely soaked in the acetone nail polish remover, says "Glamour" magazine. Hold your fingernails in the bowl for at least five minutes. This will help to soften the hard gel topcoat.
Step 3
Dry your fingernails on a towel, and find the smooth buffing side on your filing block. You don't need to use a gritty nail file, as the acetone should have softened the nail gels enough to buff them away gently. If your nails gels still seem too hard, soak them for another five minutes in the acetone and try again.
Step 4
Buff the tops of the nail gels gently by moving the buffing side in circular motions around the nail until you begin to see your natural nails. Be sure to keep the buffing even by rubbing the sides of the nails too. Resist the urge to pull or peel the nail gels away, as it can cause damage to your natural nails.
Step 5
Dip your fingers in the acetone for up to 30 seconds once more when the gels have been removed to remove any last traces of the gel. Dry them and add a coat of nail hardener to protect the nail after the gels are removed.
Things You'll Need
- Small bowl
- Acetone nail polish remover
- File block
- Towel
- Nail hardener
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