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!
Gel Nail Removal Essentials
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 (See our FAQs below 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
Gel Nail Removal Step-by-Steps
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.
