Nail Care

How to Remove Gel Nails at Home

No time to visit the salon? No problem! You can safely remove gel nails at home with this handy step-by-step guide.

Improper removal can cause nail damage, ouch! Follow each step to keep your nails looking and feeling healthy post-gel. Goodbye thin, damaged nails and GELlo quick, easy removal! 

First, gather the following items for your gel nail removal kit: 

- Manicure brush

- Cotton balls or cotton pads (cut into halves or thirds)

- Acetone-based nail polish remover (Peep the last step for an alternative technique.)

- Aluminum foil cut into squares

- Nail file

- Reusable or orange wood, cuticle stick

- Rubbing alcohol

- Nail & Cuticle Oil

- Nail Envy® Nail Strengthener if needed

Step 1: File

Use a nail file to break the seal on each nail's free edge and side walls. The key is to remove as much shine as you can, but don’t file down to your natural nail. Light pressure is ideal!

Step 2: Wrap

Fully saturate a cotton ball with nail polish remover and place it directly on top of the nail, ensuring the entire nail is covered. Wrap both the cotton ball and the nail in your foil square.

Step 3: Soak

Allow to soak for at least 15-20 min. As tempting as it might be, make sure you don’t peek! Let the remover do its thing, and allow it enough time to break down the gel. *Pro Tip: Wrap your hands in a towel for added heat. 

Step 4: Twist

After about 15 min, gently press and twist the foil and cotton off each nail one at a time. The cotton ball or pad should have a fair amount of gel residue attached; if not, rewrap it for a few minutes.

Step 5: Wipe

Take a cuticle stick and gently push the remaining gel residue off each nail, working from the cuticle area towards the free edge. Repeat steps 2-5 until all residue is fully removed. 

Step 6: Nourish & Strengthen

Lightly cleanse the nail surface with a cotton ball (or pad) and rubbing alcohol. Apply OPI Nail Envy® Nail Strengthener to ensure nails stay as healthy as possible. Finish with a dot of cuticle oil to keep nails protected and moisturized. 

Acetone Alternatives

While acetone is ideal for gel polish removal, a nail file alone can work in a pinch. Use a medium-grit nail file to remove the shine and color layers. Once you’ve reached the base coat, switch to a buffer to smooth everything out. Remove any dust with a manicuring brush and wipe away with alcohol and a cotton pad. Follow with a nail strengthener and cuticle oil to protect the nails. 

Looking for content on how to apply gel nails? Check out our application tutorial here.