How to Remove Gel Nail Polish Safely
How to remove gel nail polish safely is the focus of this Wednesday’s Ask the Pro Stylist Q&A. It seems bad advice has been given over YouTube to almost 35,000 viewers from a popular channel.
Whoop, whoop, happy Hump Day hotties, and welcome to another Ask the Pro Stylist Q&A. During a recent nail conversation with a 20-something, it was brought to my attention many still do not know how to remove gel nail polish safely. While we discussed nails and all things related to it, this adorable sweetie said while she loved the gel manicure, she didn’t like her nails after. Why? She didn’t go to the salon to have the gel nail polish removed, but rather picked and peeled until all was gone. Brittle, dry and damaged nails were left as a result.
So then I searched, and while I have written how to remove gel nail polish safely and properly, I felt it needed to be readdressed. It seems many turn to YouTube for beauty advice, and a popular beauty channel has been dispelling BAD gel nail polish removal tips. PopSugar Beauty suggests using a metal instrument instead of an orangewood stick. The metal scrapes the nail bed, resulting in further damage. OYE!
How to Remove Gel Nail Polish Safely
Purchase the Remove kit from Red Carpet Manicure or Acetone Gel Polish Remover from a beauty supplier such as Sally’s. You’ll also need cotton, a buffer, orange wood stick, cuticle oil and 10 pieces of foil. The Remove kit is self explanatory, or follow these simple steps.
- Gently buff each nail to remove the shine from the gel polish.
- Soak a piece of cotton in Acetone, place on nail and wrap the tip with foil.
- Repeat for each finger.
- Keep the fingers dressed for 10 minutes.
- Remove foil.
- Gel nail polish should crumble with a little pressure from your thumb. If it doesn’t, use the orangewood stick to very gently assist, NOT A METAL INSTRUMENT.
- If the polish is stubborn, repeat the above steps.
- When all the polish is off, wash hands and massage cuticle oil into the nail beds.
- Wash hands again and then apply a clear nail strengthener, followed by more cuticle oil when dry.
You don’t have to use foil. You can simply soak the nails in a bowl of acetone. Some say to buff the nails again once the polish is removed, but I prefer to give the nails a rest. BTW, the above photo is from my friend Shannon at Seriously Nails. It is of a gel manicure. Be sure to follow her for great nail art inspiration.
If you have a beauty, hair or nails question similar to this Wednesday’s how to remove gel nail polish properly query, then please email me at DeirdreAHaggerty@gmail.com. Until then, happy styling!
©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior written permission and consent from the author.
A writer, author, NY & NJ State licensed cosmetologist, store and salon manager, beauty educator and executive school director, Deirdre Haggerty has been actively involved in the hair and beauty industry in New York & New Jersey for over 30 years.
Now get online help to pass your licensing exams in any of the states throught the country. Send Deirdre an email for more information regarding an online tutoring sesssion for the written and practical exams at asktheprostylist@gmail.com.
