How to remove gel from nails simply and safely at home: proven methods. How to remove gel polish - all coating removal methods

From this article you will learn:

What are the ways to remove gel polish?
Which file to choose for removing gel polish, depending on the material and spraying
How to remove gel polish from nails
What mistakes can be made when removing gel polish from nails?
What devices are there for removing gel polish from nails?

Girls for whom a beautiful manicure is an essential part of their look are increasingly choosing gel polish. Today this coating is considered the most popular. However, a well-groomed manicure does not last forever, and there comes a time when the gel polish needs to be removed with a file. There are special techniques that allow you to easily erase the old coating without damaging your nails. We will tell you about which file to remove gel polish and how to effectively restore your nails, and give some useful recommendations.

Removing coating from nails: step-by-step instructions

If you used gel for your manicure, you should first treat your nails with a sanding file. It is enough to walk over the plate a little to remove the first (glossy) layer. If you want to remove shellac, then this item can be excluded.

Next, you will need a soap solution at room temperature. Apply it to your fingers and wipe them with a napkin. Cover the skin around the nails with a thick layer of cream. This procedure will protect delicate skin from the corrosive acetone solution.

Take a cotton pad (you can cut pieces to fit your nails), apply a little acetone-containing liquid to it and apply it to the nail. Now you need to wrap your finger in pre-prepared food foil (it’s convenient to work with foil from a chocolate bar). The composition will act for 17 minutes. If you use additional means, the exposure time will be reduced (no more than 10 minutes).

To make the gel polish soften faster, you can gently massage your nails (during the soaking stage in foil).

After the specified time has passed, it is necessary to remove the foil and remove the softened coating. This can be done using orange sticks or a pusher. If the layer of your coating was not very thick, it will come off easily.

If you are unable to immediately remove the gel polish with a file or stick, you will need to resort to using a cotton pad and foil again. After some time, the coating will completely soften and you will be able to remove it. Do not forcefully pick out the gel polish, as this can damage the nail plate.

So, you have removed the remaining coating. Now you can move on to polishing your nails. This is convenient to do with a soft file.

The final stage is to shape the nails with a regular file.

At the end of the procedure, apply cuticle oil.

Which file to remove gel polish from nails

If you have regular polishing files in your cosmetic bag, then the question of which file to use to remove gel polish can be considered closed. Most often it is removed with a buff file (this tool has four working sides of different hardness). The buff differs from conventional grinding files in terms of its hardness.

How hard should the file be to remove gel polish? The abrasiveness of files and buffs intended for removing coatings is measured in grit. This indicator is fixed on the handle of the tool or on one of its faces. The number itself shows how many small granular particles there are per 1 square meter. see nail files. Accordingly, a small grit indicator means a rough, hard surface of the instrument. High performance – soft surface for delicate processing.

Possible abrasiveness options:

from 100 to 180 grit- the hardest surface, intended only for artificial nails;

from 180 to 250 grit- it is convenient to use a file to change the shape of natural coatings;

from 240 to 400 grit- nails are polished with this tool;

from 400 to 900 grit- this surface prepares the nails for polishing;

from 900 to 1200 grit- use a file to polish the nail plates until they reach a mirror shine.

When asked about which file to remove gel polish with, experts advise tools from the second group (hardness from 180 to 250 grit). The file does a good job of removing the top layers of the coating and prepares the plate for use with nail polish remover. The advantage of using such a device is that its surface is not very rough and will not damage your nail.

The main “advantage” of a buff file is the presence of four working sides with different abrasiveness. Without changing the tool, you can move to a surface with a more suitable rigidity.

You can remove gel polish not only with a file. Some methods are easy to implement at home, on your own. The file will need to work as an auxiliary tool.

Which file to remove gel polish from extended nails

In the case of extended nail plates, you can no longer use ordinary solvents with acetone, as this damages the nail. Other products that do not contain acetone will not be able to remove gel polish - the coating will remain intact. The best option is to remove the gel polish with a file. What other tool would be suitable for this task? It is convenient to use manicure cutters. This method requires some skill, so you can first practice on tips.

The best option is a ceramic-coated cutter. The tool can quickly remove gel polish without damaging the nail. The cost of a ceramic cutter is quite high, so for extended nails you can use a carbide analogue.

Choose a tool of a convenient shape for you (cylinder, cone, etc.).

The rotation speed of the router will depend on your ability to operate the tool. There is no need to make the rotation speed less than 1000 rpm.

Before removing the gel polish, move the cuticle to the top edge of the plate. Turn on the table vacuum cleaner.

So, you can start the procedure:

Guide the tool in one direction - from the cuticle to the edge of the plate. Try to move the cutter as it rotates.

You need to act smoothly and as carefully as possible. Try to monitor the force of pressure, as carelessness can injure the nail.

We make the sawdust using short and gentle movements of the tool. If you feel a slight burning sensation, you need to immediately increase the speed of the router. This will reduce the pressure on the plate.

Don't be afraid to saw through the plate. Gel polish is a thick coating that will reliably protect the “native” nail from unwanted damage. If a crack has formed in the coating, the situation can easily be corrected by further correction.

If you are faced with a premature crack in the coating, this can be corrected with a regular file.

When choosing a file that can be used to remove gel polish, the hardness of the tool surface is taken into account.

Manicure service specialists recommend samples with low abrasiveness (100–180 grit). Multi-grain files (900–1200 grit) are intended for polishing.

How to remove gel polish:

Movements should be directed from the cuticle to the edge of the nail. Try to use the file carefully.
You only need to move the tool in one direction, being careful not to touch the skin around your nails. The movements of the file are smooth and unsharp.
If you are going to remove the gel polish in order to immediately apply a new coating, then you don’t have to remove the base.
After all the work is completed, wipe off the dust from the nails and polish the surface with a soft buff. Next is the standard coating application.

What file material is suitable for removing gel polish? There are several varieties. Files of different materials can vary greatly in cost, but in your choice it is better to rely on the quality and effectiveness of the raw material, its safety for weak nails. The ease of use of the tool plays an important role.

How to choose a file for removing gel polish depending on the material and spraying

First, let's study the popular materials of nail files:

Tools with a paper base are disposable, so they will not provide you with a long service life. Paper files cannot withstand disinfection - only one person can use them.

Files with a durable metal base will last a long time. The cost of the product is low.

If you are looking for a file that can gently remove gel polish without damaging the nail, pay attention to wood products. Natural wood is used as raw material for them - fruit and coniferous trees, many of which have healing properties. The tree cannot withstand aggressive disinfectants, so you should not let someone else use the nail file.

Plastic tools are durable and have the lowest cost. Files withstand disinfection with solutions.

What are the most popular gel polish remover files? Consumers especially trust instruments made of glass or ceramic. These files look beautiful and are easy to disinfect. Their only “minus” is fragility, but with careful use you will not notice this drawback.

Now let's look at the materials for spraying the files.

Metal abrasive. Do not remove gel polish with a file that has a metal surface. The impact on the nail will be very rough. Since our goal is to only slightly disturb and remove the top layer of the coating, it is better to use softer tools.

The top layer can be easily removed with a file glass or ceramic. They clean effectively without damaging the nail surface.

Which file can I use to remove gel polish without damaging the nail plates? A good option is a file diamond coated. This modern material works great with a top coat.

Alternative ways to remove gel polish from nails

Removing gel polish using liquid with acetone

The remaining gel polish can be easily removed with an acetone-containing nail polish remover solution.

Follow these points:

Prepare a couple of cotton pads. Cut them according to the size of the plates, this will avoid injuring the delicate skin of your fingers.
Cut the food foil (into small 8x8 squares).
Next you need to remove the top layer with a file or buff. Thanks to this procedure, the acetone is better absorbed into the gel polish.
Lubricate the areas around your nails with hand cream - this will protect the delicate skin of your fingers from drying out with acetone.
Apply an acetone-containing product to the prepared discs and apply them to your nails.
Wrap the tops of your fingers in foil and wait 10-15 minutes.
After this time, you need to remove the foil and remove the remaining gel polish. This is done with special orange sticks. Monitor the pressure on the nail so as not to injure the plate.
Remaining coating can be removed with a cotton pad. Dip it in an acetone solution and treat your nails.

Removing gel polish using an “acetone bath”

To remove gel polish using this method, prepare a small container and nail polish remover (it must contain acetone).

Coating removal steps:

First you need to remove the top (top) layer of varnish.

Lubricate the skin around your fingers with cream or oil.

Prepare a container and pour nail polish remover into it. Dip your fingers there.

The gel polish should soften and begin to peel off. Remove any remaining coating with an orange stick.

At the end, wash your hands with soap and thoroughly lubricate them with cream. Abundant moisturizing will help avoid over-drying with acetone.

Remove the gel polish one at a time: first from one hand, then from the other. The foil must be removed from each finger in turn, so the coating cannot harden again.

If possible, it is better to remove gel polish at room temperature. In the summer season, girls' hands are always warm, and the varnish comes off almost immediately. In cold weather, we often freeze, and many begin to remove the polish by force, damaging the nail plates. We recommend warming up your fingers before the procedure.

Important! Dipping your hands into an acetone solution severely injures the skin. If you have the opportunity to remove the coating using other methods (for example, with a file), it is better to use them.

These two methods work great if the manicure was done on “natural” nails. However, many are interested in the question of how and with what file to remove gel polish from extended nail plates.

The following tips from nail experts will greatly simplify the procedure for removing gel polish and help avoid injury to your nails:

Tip 1. In many cases, gel polish comes off easier if you first remove the top (top) layer of the coating with a file. Above we set the hardness of the nail files that can be used to remove gel polish. It is good to do this with a buff, a regular file or a milling cutter. Once you have destroyed the top layer, you can begin the standard wrapping procedure. By removing the layer of varnish with a file, you reduce the time the nails are kept in liquid with acetone, while the “native” nail is not filed down.

Tip 2. It’s worth remembering: gel polish is more difficult to remove if the ambient temperature is low. The same goes for the temperature of your hands. To warm frozen fingers, use a UV lamp. Using hair dryers or heating pads is also effective. It is important to monitor the temperature of your hands during steps such as applying cotton pads with acetone solution and wrapping with foil.

Tip 3. To protect your skin from drying out with acetone, apply Vaseline to the cuticles and around the nails before wrapping. This product will keep acetone from getting into the pores. Rub it in with gentle circular movements. Oils have a similar effect.

Tip 4. To protect the nail coating from the harmful effects of acetone, you can purchase a special drug Restructant (Restructant from ClinestiQ). It must be applied during the process of creating a manicure, before the base for gel polish. The advantage of the drug is that its substance fills the pores of the plate, acts as natural keratin, thereby making the nail harder and healthier. A restorant is used instead of a primer.

Tip 5. After completing the wrapping action, it is recommended to remove the foil with the remover one at a time - remove it from one finger, completely wipe off the gel polish and only then move on. If you free all your fingers from the foil at once, the gel polish will harden again while you work on the first nails.

Tip 6. Before covering your nails with gel polish base, apply a little regular polish. Here you don’t need to paint the entire nail; the varnish should cover about half of the plate. Try not to touch the edges of the nail. The base is applied after the varnish is completely dry. The base gel needs to cover the entire surface of the nail plate. Thanks to this method, the gel polish will come off better.

Tip 7. If after removing the gel polish you are going to immediately apply a new coating, then there is no need to remove the base. In this case, all gel polish is removed mechanically (with a file). You don't need any acetone-containing liquid.

In many nail salons, nail technicians also do not use acetone liquid. The gel polish is completely cut off with a router or file. Although these tools are not designed to remove all layers of coating, the method is quite convenient. You should not use the technique yourself, because there is a risk of damaging the plate or skin around the nail. Also, you are not immune from typical mistakes that beginners in manicure often make.

Typical mistakes when removing gel polish yourself

If you are looking for which file to remove gel polish with and want to do everything yourself, you should study possible mistakes in advance. This will help you avoid damaging your skin and nails. Ignoring the recommendations can lead to damage to the nail plate, and instead of a new beautiful manicure, you will be forced to treat and restore your nails.

Here are the most common mistakes when removing gel polish:

Do not remove the entire layer of gel polish with a nail file. Accuracy alone is not enough here. You need to clearly see where the coating ends and the “native” plate begins. A non-professional is unlikely to be able to perfectly remove gel polish with a file, no matter how soft it is. Part of the nail is sure to be injured.

Do not try to pry off or remove gel polish using a metal pusher. Many people face the problem of gel polish peeling off along the edge of the plate or near the cuticle. Girls often try to pry the coating with a metal pusher to separate it from the nail. You shouldn’t do this, since you won’t be able to completely “peel off” the gel polish, but you will “pull” the original plate behind you. This can cause damage.

Do not use an orangewood stick for mechanical nail polish removal. Many people try to remove dry gel polish with an orange stick. This tool is not as rough as a metal file, but if you do not soften the varnish layer with acetone in advance, you will not be able to remove it with a stick. This can also cause damage to the plate.

Acetone in its pure form should also be abandoned. Try to use safer options. For example, an acetone-containing product with added oils and vitamins. If you don’t have a special solution for gel polish on hand, you can soften the coating with regular nail polish remover.

There is no need to rush to remove the gel polish as quickly as possible. The coating differs from conventional varnishes, and working with it has its own nuances. Remove the varnish with a nail file consistently, following all recommendations.

Never remove gel polish with your nails or a file until it begins to peel off. This way you can seriously injure the “native” nail plate.

Do not remove gel polish before it softens in an acetone-containing solution. After wrapping, you need to try to carefully move the coating. This is convenient to do with an orange stick. You can continue removing the polish only if it comes off freely.

In the process of removing gel polish, you will need auxiliary tools. You will find them in nail service stores.

TOP 3 devices that will help you effectively remove gel polish

Above, you have already familiarized yourself with the available tools, without which it is impossible to effectively and efficiently remove gel polish. For example, food foil. It is used to hold cotton pads on nails. If you are interested in the question of which file is best to remove gel polish, we advise you to pay attention to several more interesting devices. For your convenience, nail industry manufacturers have created useful tools that will help you remove gel polish faster and more efficiently.

Silicone caps for removing gel polish.

Silicone caps are a device for fixing a disk with acetone. The caps are easy to use and do their job effectively.

Wipes for removing gel polish.

Gel polish remover wipes are another effective tool for holding the acetone pad. The foil layer inside each napkin works on the principle of regular food foil. A greenhouse effect is created inside, due to which the coating quickly dissolves. Thus, the holding time of the disk with acetone is reduced. You can remove the napkin after 10–15 minutes.

Clips for removing gel polish.

Manufacturers have come up with another interesting device - clips for removing gel polish. They act in the same way as the above analogues - they hold the disk with acetone and create a greenhouse effect.

Advantages of using the above tools:

low price;

long service life;

safety for your nails.

How to care for your nails after removing gel polish

If you are interested in which file to remove gel polish, then you probably want to perform the procedure yourself. Once you complete the whole process, your nails will not look very nice. And this is natural: for several weeks, while your manicure was pleasing to the eye, the nail plates “did not breathe.” Afterwards they were exposed to a harmful solution with acetone and treated with a nail file. Therefore, the first thing you need to give them is rest and quality care. You can restore the beauty and health of your nails in the following ways:

Nail masks

Homemade masks are an excellent option for gentle nail care after removing gel polish. We offer you a simple but very effective option - a composition with castor oil.

To prepare the mask you need to prepare:

Castor oil;

Vitamin E;

Cotton pads;

Lavender oil;

A small glass bowl.

Procedure:

mix a teaspoon of oil with two capsules of vitamin E;
pour 5 drops of lavender oil into the solution (you can take another oil with a similar effect);
apply a mask (this is convenient to do with cotton pads);
Rub the mask tightly into your nails for 5-6 minutes.

The prepared composition will moisturize the nail plates and cuticles, strengthen the natural surface, and return it to its beautiful appearance. It is better to apply the mask twice a week, leaving it on overnight. It is best to prepare this composition every time after removing varnish. It will restore and strengthen nails after the drying effect of acetone.

Smart enamel

Girls who are wondering which file to use to remove gel polish have probably already thought about caring for their nails after this procedure. Care enamel is an excellent option for effectively restoring the nail plate. After you have managed to remove the gel polish, sand it and apply healing enamel. The leading product on the nail market is “Smart Enamel”. Contains vitamins, collagens, silk proteins and other useful elements. The product effectively copes with the consequences of nail damage. Just four weeks and your nails will be completely transformed!

Sea salt baths

Surely you are all familiar with this method. Over many years of use, it has not lost its popularity and is still considered one of the most effective. Baths with sea salt are an excellent remedy for regenerating and strengthening the plates.

This procedure is quite simple:

Pour room temperature water into a small container and add two teaspoons of sea salt.
Dip your nails into the container and hold for 20 minutes.
Wash your fingers and lubricate them with moisturizer.

Lemon

Once you have been able to remove the gel polish, you can proceed to care. One of the best recovery remedies is lemon juice.

Cut the lemon into two halves and squeeze out the juice.
Dip a cotton pad in the juice and apply it to your nails.
Then apply the cream. Its dense structure will prevent the rapid evaporation of the liquid.

Oils

Which file to remove gel polish with is not the only question that interests manicure lovers. An equally important problem is nail care after removing the coating. We recommend using oils. Their action is irreplaceable: oils nourish, moisturize, and regenerate the entire nail plate. How to carry out care:

Mix two different types of oils. Take vegetable (linseed or olive) and essential (cedar or citrus) in equal parts.
Rub the mixture thoroughly into each plate.

Oil baths

Oil baths are an effective way to moisturize and regenerate the plate after removing gel polish with a nail file. How to perform the procedure:

In a small container, combine coconut, olive and castor oils. The amount of each component is 3 drops (for coconut oil – 4).
Add a couple of tablespoons of yogurt to the mixture.
Mix the resulting solution, put your hands in it for 20 minutes.
Wash your fingers and lubricate them with cream.

Iodine

If you damage the plate with a file, then it is useful to use regular iodine to restore the injured area. But applying it directly is dangerous (due to the large amount of alcohol). Add iodine to baths, creams and oils.

There is no need to rush to remove the gel polish with a file. Find out which method is right for your varnish composition. Remove the coating using this method.

Nail restoration should not be ignored. Your fingers should look beautiful and well-groomed both with and without polish.

Where to buy high-quality and professional nail files

Among the huge number of online stores offering manicure accessories, we invite you to our “WORLD OF NAILS”! You should choose our services because:

“MIR FILOK” – own production of nail files.
"WORLD OF FILES" is the main supplier!
The showroom of the company "MIR FILOK" is located in Moscow.
Delivery throughout our vast Motherland!

Why is “WORLD OF FILES” the best option for purchasing a product for you?

Our store is built on our own production of saws. Thanks to this, you get: minimized cost of service, tested and confirmed product quality, fast production, attractive conditions for distributors.
Our nail file is made only from materials that have repeatedly proven their quality (South Korea).
Wide variety of product. Thus, a manicurist with any level of professionalism will be able to satisfy his interests.
You can figure out which file is right for you. We carry out individual orders.
Another advantage is the application of your brand logo on the working surface of the files.

The question “how to remove gel polish” is becoming more and more relevant now. Different masters use different techniques and manicure products. We will tell you how and how to remove gel polish at home so as not to harm your nails.

Chemistry of materials in practice

To understand the reason for the debate about how to remove gel polish at home or in salons, you need to know that both gel polish and regular polish are polymers. Plastic. That is, one type of drugs. The difference between varnish and gel polish is that the varnish polymerizes (dries) in air, while ultraviolet (UV) rays are needed for the polymerization of gel polishes, and polymerization in them is triggered due to the presence of photoinitiators in gel polishes .

Nail polishes can be easily removed using an acetone-free liquid, while gel polish can only be removed by filing. The reason lies in the structural molecular lattice of these materials. The connections between the molecules of the varnish are simpler, so non-acetone nail polish remover or acetone easily penetrates between the molecules, destroys their connections - and voila! The varnish is easily and simply removed, and the nail is ready for a new coating!

The connections between the gel polish molecules are a little more complex, so it takes longer for the connections to break down when using an aggressive liquid. As a result, such preparations are easier to cut off; during salon work, the coating can be removed as quickly as possible. And it’s easier and safer to remove gel polish at home this way.

I describe these actions in simple words to make it easier for craftsmen to understand exactly how the dissolution process in acetone occurs.

Love at first drop

They appeared on the nail market several years ago and have already won the love of nail technicians due to the simplicity of the procedure, and their clients due to their longevity: the color coating can now stay on the nails for more than three weeks.

Manufacturers of gel polishes quickly responded to market demands, and now the nail industry offers a huge number of gel polishes under different brands.

Applying gel polish even at home has become the norm. Sometimes clients don’t waste time visiting a nail studio; becoming a “manicurist” has become as easy as shelling pears. Various forums and Youtube channels are distributing advice left and right to everyone who wants to master the simple technique of applying gel polish. There are also a lot of tips on the Internet on how and with what to remove gel polish from nails.

And now the saddest thing: this situation has led to the fact that the professionalism of the manicurist is being lost. The masters who learned from YouTube do not have basic knowledge and techniques for applying and removing coatings. At the sight of a file, many of them practically faint, and they are echoed by their clients who have already suffered from careless craftsmen. And therefore, they cannot imagine anything other than acetone as a remover on how to remove the coating from their delicate nails. In their opinion, acetone is the first friend for skin and nails.

Who wants fragile speckled nails?

An interesting point: as a result of soaking the gel polish in acetone, clients begin to notice that their nails have become harder, but white spots have appeared on them - leukonychia. Leukonychia is often caused by mechanical stress. And the resulting hardness of the nail is due to the nail plate being overdried due to acetone during the removal of the coating.

Those who are familiar with the anatomy of the nail know that the nail is porous and absorbs moisture. When soaked in acetone, the nail absorbs the acetone as a liquid. The nail doesn’t care what liquid it absorbs—what it gives, it absorbs. And acetone dries out the water channels of the nail. Hydro- and lipid channels in the nail plate are responsible for the plasticity of the nail. When these channels are dehydrated and degreased, the nail looks very hard, which creates the illusion of strengthening the natural nail, but at the same time, the natural nail loses its plasticity, which often leads to fractures of the nail plate along the free edge and along the nail bed as well. A fragile natural nail is not the best result in a manicure after you have removed the gel polish.

A little about leukonychia - white spots. The reason for their appearance is banally simple. When acetone penetrates the nail, it becomes soft. When you forcefully remove the coating (scraping) using a pusher (and often it is a metal pusher), pressure occurs on the keratin layers of the nail, the layers touch each other, and in this place the nail is no longer transparent - so after you have removed the gel polish, These white dots form.

If the master uses high-quality materials, this situation with fragile nails and leukonychia goes away on its own. If you stop the soaking procedure, after three months the damaged part of the nail will grow back, and no one will remember about this problem.

Saw, Shura, cut!

What's the best way to remove gel polish at home? And how can you remove it when you don’t have special products at hand or you don’t want to deal with chemicals? Let's figure out why you need to mechanically remove gel polish from a natural nail.

- it's not just color. To perform the full procedure, the master still needs a base and top gel. Now I will not consider the option of a 5 in 1 drug, where the color is a base, a color, a top gel (also without a sticky layer), as well as a lot of vitamins with calcium. I hope everyone understands that such drugs are very aggressive towards the natural nail plate.

Let's consider the technological methodology: base, color, top.

The purpose of the base is to cover and protect the natural nail and ensure adhesion. That is, the base has a protective function for the nail. And, of course, this drug should not be aggressive, but at the same time not peel off. The base penetrates between the keratin cells of the nail, due to this adhesion is achieved. Such preparations are not so easily removed from the nail; to completely remove them, they must either be filed or scraped off. Well, how could it be otherwise - the base is already in keratin, it just won’t come off with a film.

The job of color is to give color.

The purpose of the top gel is to seal the color, protect the coating, prevent discoloration of the material and be resistant to mechanical stress, that is, scratch-resistant. Top gel usually does not dissolve in acetone. The top gel has a rigid structural lattice and thanks to this it protects the coating from scratching and provides excellent shine to the nail. But it needs to be removed by sawing.

Many brands present the base and top as 2 in 1. This is normal practice. If the drug is of high quality and safe, this can be so. That is, in this case, both the base coat and the top coat do not dissolve in acetone. Only the color dissolves.

But since we decided to dissolve the gel polish in acetone, and at the same time we have already removed the top coat by filing, what prevents us from going over the color with a file again, removing it and leaving only the base layer on the nail? In terms of time, the cutting procedure takes no more than the soaking procedure in acetone. But when applying color, we are guaranteed to leave the base layer on the nail, do not damage the natural nail plate, do not dry out the nail and avoid the problem of leukonychia (white spots).

Scary to cut? I know! But this is a more professional approach to removing gel polish. Anyone who does not understand what they are working with, and so-called YouTube self-taught people, can soak their nails in acetone. They don't talk about details on Youtube. They show the principle of removing gel polish, share ideas, but not knowledge. Therefore, if you are afraid to saw, sign up for courses. You will be given a hand and you will have the opportunity to practice under the supervision of a teacher. And after the courses you will definitely raise the prices for your services. After all, knowledge is an investment, and it always brings good returns.

Natalia Gritsenko, official representative of Magnetic in the former CIS countries, coordinator of the development of Russian-speaking markets and the UK market, official international instructor of Magnetic Nail Academy (Netherlands)

Shellac or gel polish– one of the most popular long-term nail coatings, the application of which requires certain skills. If this procedure is most often performed in salons, then Removing such a product from the nail surface is quite possible at home.

Removing gel polish or shellac coating

Shellac base(Shellac from Creative Nail Design, made in the USA) – natural resin, thanks to which it is quite durable. Shellac or gel polish can stay on nails for 2 weeks or more. You need to understand that shellac is just one of the brands of gel polish manufacturers. As Pampers is one of the manufacturers of disposable diapers.

To remove this coating from nails in a salon, a special product is used to soften it - Product Remover, or carefully sawing off the coating with a router.

The master saturates the sponges with the liquid and places them on the nail plates, after which he wraps the fingertips in foil to secure them.
After 10-15 minutes, remove the fingers one by one from the overlays and, using an orange stick, carefully pry off the coating - it easily comes off the nail surface. Otherwise the process is repeated. Irregularities in the nails are removed using a soft file or buff.

Methods for removing shellac or gel polish at home

In order to remove shellac from nails at home, you can use both professional liquid and other improvised means. This coating is usually removed using:

regular nail polish remover;
soaking nails in nail polish remover or isopropyl alcohol;
files or buff.

It’s much easier for those who have a special tool. But what if you don’t have it at hand at the right time, and for some reason going to the salon is impossible?

Method number 1: Regular nail polish remover

The special product can be replaced with concentrated liquid for removing regular nail polish. Just pay attention: such a product must contain acetone. Other means will not work - they will not be able to soften the shellac even minimally.

For the removal procedure you need:

Cotton pads or cotton wool.
Regular foil, adhesive tape, tape - these will be needed to secure the cotton pads. Some people use polyethylene for these purposes, but it is not very convenient.
Acetone nail polish remover, acetone or isopropyl alcohol.
Orange sticks.
File.

The foil is cut into 10 pieces of such a size that it can easily cover a finger. The cotton pad is cut in half, each half into 2 more parts. When using cotton wool, you should divide it into 10 optimal parts. Narrow tape or adhesive plaster is also cut into the same number of pieces.

Gel polish removal steps:

1. A piece of cotton pad is moistened in an acetone-containing liquid and carefully applied to the nail plate. It is necessary to avoid contact of the product with the skin, as it may cause a burn or an allergic reaction.

2. The nail along with the cotton pad is wrapped in foil. If fixation is insufficient, you can use tape or adhesive tape. These manipulations are performed in turn with each finger.

3. Each finger should be in foil for 10 to 20 minutes. This time is necessary for maximum separation of shellac from the nail surface.

4. After this time, the compresses are removed in the same sequence as they were applied.

5. The layer of softened shellac is carefully lifted with an orange stick and removed. Remains of shellac from nails can also be scraped off with this device; you should not use much force - this can injure the nail plate.

6. When all the coating has been removed, the nails are polished with a special file or buff.

if you need to remove not shellac, but gel polish, it is better to remove the top layer with a router to facilitate and speed up the procedure;
if a new coating is planned after removing the shellac, it is enough to remove the top and color layer with a file or buff without touching the base layer;
shellac (gel polish) will come off easier if you warm up your hands before the procedure;
in order to protect the skin from the effects of acetone, before applying cotton pads, you should apply Vaseline or oil to it;
To prevent the softened shellac from hardening, the foil must be removed from each finger in turn.

The video below clearly illustrates the procedure for removing shellac:

Method #2: Dipping your fingers in nail polish remover

You will need:

A small container that can fit the fingertips of both hands.
Nail polish remover or isopropyl alcohol.
Fat cream.
Orange tree wood stick.
Buff or file for polishing.

Before the procedure, you should wash your hands thoroughly. Then you need to pour the liquid into a container, lubricate your fingers with cream and dip their tips into the container. You can keep your nails in it for about 8 minutes. Then the softened shellac is removed using an orange stick. Hands are washed again and the cream is applied again.

Method number 3: Cutting off shellac

This method is the most risky.

The top can be filed using a file or a highly abrasive buffer for the natural nail surface. It’s good if you have a nail milling machine at home.

So, this method can be safely used only if you leave the base coat on. It is very easy to distinguish it from a natural nail: it is not transparent, has a soft milky color.

Method number 4: Special shellac remover

A specialized shellac remover differs from acetone in its composition, which helps to remove the coating from nails as quickly as possible.

This liquid also contains acetone or isopropyl alcohol, but along with these aggressive components, glycerin, vitamins A and E, vegetable and essential oils, petroleum jelly are also often added to it. These components provide the necessary care for the nail plates, saving them from depletion.

That's why the best option would be to purchase a special shellac remover. You can buy such a product at any store that specializes in selling manicure products, or order it on specialized websites.

Removing shellac using a special product differs little from the first method, the only difference will be the reduction in the duration of keeping the fingertips in the pads - To soften the coating in this way, 8-10 minutes are enough.

Advantages and disadvantages of home methods for removing shellac

The undoubted advantage of the first method is its low cost.– you don’t need to spend money on tools and materials; usually they can be found in every home. If you do have to spend money, they will be enough for several withdrawals. The advantages also include saving time - the procedure can be performed without waiting in line to make an appointment at the salon.

There are more disadvantages - some inconvenience is possible (when removing the coating on the right hand, the foil slips, when the nails of the first hand are wrapped in foil, it is difficult to prepare the other), an increase in the duration of the procedure up to an hour - when treating hands alternately, the risk of injury to the nail when using metal tools, or skin, exposure to a fairly aggressive liquid on the nails.

The advantage of soaking nails in nail polish remover or isopropyl alcohol is the speed of the procedure, the ability to observe the destruction of shellac and control the process. A significant disadvantage is the aggressive effect of the liquid on the skin and nail surface (drying), as well as possible injury to the nail surface when removing shellac with a metal pusher.

Cutting the shellac coating down to the base layer has its advantages - saving time, the ability to immediately apply a new coating. But with all this, you can touch or inadvertently cut off the entire top layer of the nail plate, thereby injuring and thinning it.

Removing shellac coating with a special liquid has more advantages than disadvantages. The first include the minimum time spent, the presence in such a product of components that can have a positive effect on the nail surface. The only disadvantages include possible inconvenience when removing the coating from nails yourself, and the risk of damage to the nail plate if you use the pusher carelessly.

Benefits of removing shellac in a salon

The most significant advantages of the procedure done in the salon are shortening the process duration due to the use of professional liquid, eliminating the risk of injury to the nail plates, complete removal of shellac without the remainder of a microscopic film. The specialist can also select suitable care products for the nails after removal.

Craftsmen often use special devices with various attachments - milling cutters. This significantly speeds up the procedure. These machines can be used when, after removal, a new coating will be applied, in which case the base layer is not removed.

Differences between shellac and gel polish

The word “shellac” often means not only gel coating produced by CND, but also other gel polishes. This definition is erroneous, since these products differ from each other in composition, consistency and properties.

Main differences:

before applying shellac, the nails are treated with a degreasing agent; before applying gel polish, the nails are treated with a primer and the top layer is removed from the nail plate;
Unlike gel polish, shellac does not contain harmful components such as formaldehyde and toluene;
removing the shellac coating is quite simple - you just need to use a special liquid, but gel polish must first be filed down, and then use a liquid with an acetone base;
shellac is more durable, but more expensive than gel polish.

With all the convenience of shellac and gel polish coating, you should not forget to give your nails a rest. That's why you need to take breaks between coatings, they should be 10-14 days.

Restoring nail plates after shellac removal

Often, after removing the shellac coating, it is discovered that the nail plates have weakened and become thinner. This means that a break is necessary, during which the nails are not treated with wellness treatments. During such periods It is better to give the nail plates a rest and avoid applying even ordinary varnishes.

There are a huge number of simple recipes. Some of them:

Add 1 tbsp to 100 ml of warm water. l. sea salt and 5-6 drops of iodine. You need to keep your nails in this bath for about 20 minutes, then dry them and apply a rich cream.

Bath with the addition essential oils. You will need 250 ml of warm water, sea salt - 1 tbsp. l., grapefruit, tea tree and cedar oil - 1 drop each. Mix all the components, keep the nails in the resulting liquid for 10-15 minutes, then dry them and use a cream to moisturize or nourish the skin.

In order to strengthen the nail plates, you can use oils: almond, lemon, eucalyptus, chamomile, rosemary, sandalwood, apricot. To restore the structure of nails, you need to use oils: geranium, rosehip, tangerine, avocado. To get rid of it effectively use lemon oil.

Thus, to safely remove shellac at home, it is necessary to follow the technology for removing this coating and not carry out manipulations that could damage the nail plate. Don’t forget about periodic restorative procedures for nails.

Gel used to create a manicure on nails with a long-term effect is a popular salon procedure. This type of coating is safe and can be worn for a long time (at least a month, without mandatory correction). In order to get rid of a boring design at home, without visiting a salon, it will not take much time. It is enough to have acetone and foil on hand, as well as some other means.

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Pros and cons of home gel removal

Before removing the gel from your nails yourself, you need to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure:

Home removal involves saving money and at the same time creating the risk of damage to the nail plate.
The salon procedure is expensive, but it is safer for nails.
Independent work will take 2 times longer than contacting a specialist. In the first case, you will have to treat each hand sequentially, in the second, the specialist will simultaneously perform removal from both hands.
The speed of removing the gel depends on its brand: some compounds can be removed without problems, while others require a lot of time.
Professional formulations dissolve the gel faster and better than alternative methods used at home.

Removal methods

Having decided to remove extended nails at home yourself, you should prepare a place away from the kitchen and soft textiles (so that dust from the removed composition does not settle on food and sofas). The optimal room is a bathroom with sufficient lighting and a table on which it will be convenient to place all the products and tools.

Sawing

The stages and features of the process are described in the table:

Stages	Description	Peculiarities
Preliminary	1. Cut off the protruding part of the nail using nail scissors or sharp nippers. 2. Wear a protective mask to protect the respiratory tract from dust from the gel.	Avoid bending or squeezing your nail to avoid cracking it.
Basic	1. File off the gel on each nail one by one, while the file should move and the nail should remain motionless. 2. Periodically remove dust from the surface being treated so that it does not interfere with evaluating the result. 3. Carefully monitor the progress of work, sequentially processing all areas of the plate	By wetting the nail, you can determine where the gel remains and where it is no longer there. If the gel layer is too thin, you should use a file with a lesser degree of abrasiveness so as not to damage the natural nail. You cannot pick up the remaining product and remove it by force: it is better to leave a small, uniform part of the composition on the nail, which will give it additional elasticity and speed up the process of strengthening the plate
Final	After removing the gel you need to: 1. Remove dried cuticles. 2. Polish the nail surface. 3. Correct the shape of your nails. 4. Apply moisturizer to the skin around the nail plate	At night, apply a nourishing mask with gloves on your hands to restore the surface of the nails and soften the skin of your hands.

After the procedure for removing extended nails, you should additionally care for your hands for at least 2 weeks:

use cuticle oils and hand cream in the mornings and evenings;
wash dishes, floors, and laundry only with protective gloves;
Do hot baths or paraffin therapy 2-3 times a week;
apply strengthening compounds to the plates.

Nails extended using biogel do not require complete filing of the material. It is enough to remove only the top layer, and the remainder will come off when using a special solvent.

Removal using improvised means

In order to remove a manicure coating made using gel polish, you can use one of the methods described below.

Remover

Each manufacturer of nail care products creates a special substance - remover, which is designed to remove gel polish. Procedure steps:

1. File off the gloss from the nail surface using a file. Treat each nail one by one.
2. Cut the cotton pads into several pieces, soak them in remover and apply to the nail.
3. Wrap foil over the disk and wait 20 minutes.
4. Remove foil and discs from nails.
5. Remove cracked gel using a manicure spatula.

Important! If you don’t have foil on hand, you can use cling film or purchase special devices at a cosmetic store.

Pure acetone

If you don’t have a special remover on hand, you can use acetone. Removal occurs in the same way: using foil or film.

This method saves money, but it is unsafe both for the surface of the nail plate and for the cuticle and skin around the nail.

Alcohol

If you choose something between a remover and acetone, you should prefer medical alcohol. It effectively copes with the destruction of gel polish and does not have a detrimental effect on the nail surface. If pure alcohol is not available, you can also use vodka, but the exposure time in this case will increase slightly.

Gel removal procedure:

1. Soak cotton pads in alcohol.
2. Apply them to the coating.
3. Wrap in foil.
4. Leave for 25 minutes.
5. Remove any remaining material with a file.
6. If necessary, repeat the application of alcohol.

To reduce the time of the gel removal procedure, some girls use a hairdryer, heating the foil with it. This method can actually speed up the process, but at the same time damages the nail plates.

Nail polish remover

Good results are obtained by using a liquid that is used to remove regular nail polish. The percentage of acetone in its composition is minimal, so it does not cause much harm to the nail plate.

You can use the liquid either by wrapping it in foil (as in the above methods) or by soaking:

1. Lubricate the cuticle and area around the nail with a high-fat cream.
2. Pour nail polish remover into a container.
3. Dip your fingers into the container to such a depth that the contents completely cover the nails.
4. Wait 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Remove your fingers from the liquid.
6. Remove any remaining gel using a manicure stick made from bamboo or orange wood.
7. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
8. Sand your nails.
9. Apply nourishing cream.

Nail polish

If there are no other means at hand, it is allowed to use cosmetic varnish, which is used for decorative coating of the nail plate.

This method involves applying varnishes of soft, neutral shades, optimally colorless.

You can dissolve gel polish like this:

1. Remove the top coat with a file.
2. Apply decorative varnish to the entire area of the nail.
3. Wait a minute (the varnish should not dry during this time).
4. Remove the coating with a napkin.
5. Clean the space near the cuticle with an orange wood stick.
6. If necessary, repeat all steps until the gel is completely removed.

Milling cutter

This method is most often used in salons so that the technician does not waste time on prolonged sawing of the surface or soaking the composition in special solutions. It is considered the most gentle on nails, since there is no contact between the nail plate and aggressive substances.

A milling cutter is an expensive piece of equipment that not every woman has at home. However, its purchase does not guarantee obtaining the desired result, because improper handling of the device can lead to delamination of the plate, its damage and even destruction of the nail surface.

Rules for removing gel using a special device:

the top layer is removed with a diamond or ceramic coated nozzle (having highly abrasive properties);
the remaining gel is removed using a nozzle with a low degree of abrasiveness;
It is allowed to use a remover to dissolve gel residues.

Using a cutter is considered the best way to remove gel from extended nails.

To prevent deterioration of your nails, you must follow these rules:

It is forbidden to tear off gel nails because of the risk of damaging the surface of your own (because of this, they can lose their shine, become dull and uneven).
When filing the coating, you should be careful and careful, carefully monitoring the appearance of the border between the natural and artificial nail.
It is not allowed to use files made of glass, metal, or European pumice.
To remove the gel, you should use a file with an abrasiveness of about 100-150 grit.
There is no need to try to remove all the coating (if it is too difficult to get rid of, it is better to leave everything as is to prevent damage to the natural nail).
To more accurately determine where the gel ends and the nail begins, the surface should be moistened with water (your own nail and the gel will be moistened unevenly).
After completing the procedure, the nails should be sanded, polished and treated with a strengthening agent.

Result of incorrect gel removal

To ensure that getting rid of gel on nails at home does not cause problems, you should:

purchase gel polishes for self-application only in professional cosmetics departments, immediately purchasing a product to remove them;
When removing the coating yourself, start working with your left hand, and then switch to your right;
at home, use special wrappers that are already impregnated with remover.

You should not overuse the application of gel coating on your nails: none of the above methods provides a 100% guarantee of careful treatment of the nail surface and damages it in one way or another. It is not recommended to change the coating frequently; if possible, you should arrange a rest period from it.