The Best and Safest Way to Remove Gel Polish at Home, According to Experts (2024)

Trust me—I know the feeling all too well. You’ve had a gel manicure, yourcolourful nails look amazing for twoor three weeks, and you’resworn off regular nail polish for the rest of your life. Gel manicures really do go above and beyond,so it's easy to see why so many more people are turning to them all the time.

"Unlike regular polish that air-dries, gel polish hardens when cured under UV or LED light," explains nail artist and session manicurist Millie Horton."This makes it much more durable and harder to remove than regular polish, so the main benefit of gel polish for clients is that it is much harder-wearing than standard nail varnish." If you want to embrace the latest nail-art trends, then a gel manicure is definitely the route to go down. "For us techs, it gives us significantly more scope when it comes to nail art—we can layer designs and be creative without worrying about drying time," adds Horton. "It’s also easier to achieve a crisp and professional finish using gel polish."

But what about when it comes to taking it off? It can be all too tempting to pick your polish off when you notice it start to lift around the edges, but according toHorton, this should be avoided at all costs. "When we say ‘don't pick off your gel polish’, this is because peeling off your gel manicure yourself can result in small layers of your natural nail peeling off with it," she explains. "The common misconception that gel manicures are more damaging to your nails than standard polish often comes from clients choosing to pick or peel off their mani rather than having a proper removal, which can cause unnecessary trauma to the natural nail," she explains.

The truth is that gel-nail upkeep is actually quite tough, and Horton (along withthe majority of nail professionals) advises seeing a professional for your removal. "It’s easy to damage your natural nails during the removal process, and a professional will know how to remove the product in the least damaging way," she explains. "Going back to the same technician orsalon that applied your manicure is another great tip, as they know which products were used in your manicure, and therefore the safest, most effective way of removing them."

However, if you're reading this article, then chances are you're about to experiment with some DIYgel-polish removal. Whether you couldn't help but start picking or your nail tech is all booked up, fear not—sometimes the only option is to do it at home, and we've all been there. Fortunately for you, Horton is on hand with her expertadvice for attempting gel-nail polish removal at home.

Keep scrolling for a step-by-step guide on how to remove gel polish yourself without ruining your nails.

1. File

First of all, depending on the type of gel you have on your nails (it’s always worth checking with your tech beforehand), you will usually have to file off the glossy top layer of the polishbefore you start soaking in remover. The key is to gently buff off the shiny layer to weaken the bond, without hitting the nail itself. This step might not sound all that important, but according to,Horton it will massively speed up the soaking process.

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2. Soak

Unlike normal nail polish, gel formulas require removers thathavea bit of extra oomph.Horton advises firstsaturating a cotton pad in an acetone-based or gel-appropriate remover and placing it on the nail. Then, wraptin foil around the cotton pad on the nail to hold it in place before repeating this on all fingers. If it all sounds a little too tricky, pre-made wraps and nail clips are available to buy. All you have to do is saturate the pad, clip it in place, and you’re ready to wrap.

The key to getting this right is patience. Different formulas require different wait times, butHorton says that 10minutes is usually long enoughbefore you can check on them. Once the colour has visibly lifted and bubbled, you should be good to go, but it may be necessary to repeat this step.

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3. Remove

Once you've removed the wraps, you should be able to tellwhich areas require more attention. If certainparts of the nailstill have big chunks of colour left, it’s always best to rewrap the nail and wait for a little longer. However, for smaller areas where the bond is visibly weakened, you can slide it off with a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick.

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4. Finish

As with any nail treatment, it’s essential to nourish your nails and cuticles once finished. "Buffing over your nail to smooth the nail plate gives a lovely finish," explains Horton. "Oil your cuticles and moisturise your hands after removal and keep up with this regularly to keep your nails and hands healthy," she adds. "Regular oiling of your cuticles can also help your gel manicures look fresher for longer."

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