How do you remove gel nails?

I use gel nail polish all the time, and yes, it is a total pain in the butt to remove. It helps if you use the pure acetone. Not acetone polish remover. If you have a Sallys, you can buy it there pretty cheap. Also, wrapping the nails with the gel nail wraps helps too. --They also have those at Sallys. In a pinch, a guaze pad or little makeup pad soaked in acetone and wrapped around your fingernail with a band aid works too. Leave it on for ten minutes. Another tip--when they start to grow out, use some very VERY thick lotion or cuticle cream under the edge. Massage and rub it all over the nail. This can help separate the polish from your nails. I do a firm rubbing with that, and then slowly "filet" the polish off by gently running a fingernail under it. Let me know how this works.

They take nails off at the salon all the time. Just go there and have them do it, You will save yourself a lot of time, and they can make your nails underneath look nice.

@ CKJL5410...I don't want to pay more lol

I would just go to another salon and have them removed.

Pure acetone is the only thing I know of to remove them, and you have to soak them for about 15 minutes. Your nails are going to be trashed after they are removed. There is a product called Nailtiques that you can use to protect and harden your remaining nails until the damaged part grows out. It's not cheap, about $17 for a tiny bottle, but it really works great.

Pour the acetone in a plastic cup and stick your nails in it and soak for a long time. Dry, buff, repeat.

@ Julie... I was planning on going to Sally's today after work lol

Thanks guys. I'm going to Sally's after work to get acetone. In the meantime....I'm filing them down while sitting here at work lol

FH was laughing at me last night cause I was cussing about it. He's like..really? you're mad that they did a good job? lol It was pretty funny.

My FH laughs at me all the time about it. About how removing an old manicure takes hours, but a new manicure takes about 12 minutes. I love them! But, I will say, the Gelish Brand will destroy your nails. So I use Shellac base coat, and just use Gelish colors and top coat. The Shellac is much easier on your nail. I don't use tips, just the polish. I bought my own light and my own polish, so just do my own.

I loveeeeeeee my gel nails!!! I have the lady at the shop remove mines-- i dont have the patient hahaha

Just make sure you really, really moisturize your hands when you are done. Soaking in acetone will dry your cuticles and fingers out.

Are you *certain* you have gel nails? If you had UV gel nails applied, the tech would apply UV nail gel to your nails in several thin layers. Each individual layer must be cured under a UV lamp for 2 minutes before the next layer can be applied. This application process is usually completed by the application of a UV gel topcoat, or a UV gel sealer.

If the technician use ANY liquid and powder in the process, then you have acrylic with a UV gel topcoat. THESE cannot be soaked off.

The way my salon does it works well, and I do it at home quite often.

You'll need Acetone, 5 cotton balls, aluminum foil, cuticle pusher

1.) cut 10 squares of aluminum foil about 3" square (they don't have to be perfect)

2.) tear the cotton balls in half

3.) place 1 square of aluminum foil under your fingertip

4.) dip the cotton ball in the acetone

5.) place the cotton ball over your fingernail

6.) wrap the aluminum foil around your fingertip. Start by folding over the end of your fingertip, then wrap the sides around to seal

7.) repeat on all fingers (Or just do one hand at a time)

8.) let them soak for 15 - 20 minutes

9.) remove the aluminum foil and cotton ball

10.) use the cuticle remover to GENTLY scrape off the polish/nail.

Hope this helps!

Kim--That's a great idea! Never thought of using foil.

Oh goodness! That's what I get for not reading the post all the way through. LOL. Sorry about that, you already used the foil method. I'm losing my mind.

@Jamie- Acrylics can be soaked off with Acetone too. I've done it before.

I've tried and it did not work for me :-/ I will NEVER get acrylics again.

You need to file the shiny layer off of acrylic nails before you soak them to get the best result as well. Just buff them down until they are dull, then soak.

Lol I've been filing them since I first posted and I'm down to my natural nail almost