How to Remove a Gel Manicure

Gel manicures are all the rage these days.   Gelish and Shellac each offer the client long-lasting, chip-free manicures that promise to stay put for weeks at a time!  My experience with gel manicures was gravely disappointing.

The truth about gel manicures:

• Gel manicures DO chip.  Mine lasted about three days.  Assuming that the polish had been applied incorrectly (it's quite a process, and involves setting under UV light!), I went back to have it redone.  The second gel manicure I received lasted about three days. 
• They cost up to 3 times what a normal spa manicure does.  If they actually lasted three times as long, this *might* be worth the limited color selection available and the fact that:
• You can only have your polish removed at a salon that offers gel manicures (until now!) and the process involves soaking your nails in acetone.  Often the removal process requires an additional fee as well!

Deciding this was all a little too ridiculous, I set out to see how I could remove the gel manicure I'd submitted my poor little nailbeds to on my own.  I even compared using acetone-based nail polish remover to using straight-up acetone.  I'm sorry to report that the nail polish remover just didn't cut it - even after 30 minutes of soaking.

Step 1 Materials

To remove your overpriced gel polish without incurring the expense of an additional salon visit, you will need the following:

Acetone (only the real stuff will do)
Cotton balls
Aluminum foil

This is the working woman's solution to gel polish removal.  I suppose if you have all day to sit around soaking your fingers in a bowl of acetone, that would probably work just as well, and you could bypass the need for cotton balls and tin foil.  As it was, I still had work to do!

Comments

[china pink]

I just finish having a expensive mistake, the first time that I had the jell done on my nails it lasted three weeks, when I went back to the salon singing the praise of my nails. I do not think the lady was happy the next one lasted three days so I went some place else and they butchered my nails. I t cost me triple to get that stuff off and I still have some great damage, but thank goodness I have thick nails
I wish I had seen this earlier , will be telling my friends about this thank you.

[scoochmaroo]

What a bummer! I finally have one that's lasted me almost two weeks!!! Yes, from now on you can remove your own manicures, but now when I get one that only lasts a couple days, I'll go right back to the salon and ask them to redo it. They've always done it for me for free!

[kazmataz]

I just gave this a try, and it worked great! Thanks Sarah!

[enjoi74]

I assure you it was not done correctly. I purchased everything and did mine myself and my nails have lasted at least over 1 week. Mine would last longer if my uv light was'nt such a barney. I have ordered a led and am positive I will have better success with that. I have a huge collection of opi polishes and I will never go back to regular nail polish. The gelish system is sold at sally's beauty supply and online btw. Don't give up, if you do it yourself you'll save a ton of money and you'll be better results I bet. The shiniest nails ever!

[prettykitty2020]

oh and theres a few reasons why it could have chipped

1)incorrect prep method (cuticle removal and dehydrating nail beds)
2)improper curing( didnt cure for the right time)
3) uv light bulbs needed 2 be changed
4) your lifestyle( if you work w/ chemicals or have to have your hands in water/washing them)
and 5) your nail beds (if theyre oily or if they have ridges and all that)

but the main ones are improper prep or water for enhancements water is the enemy but you could always try different brands to see if any are for you as well

[chadamiller]

I have fond if the tips are not capped with product they will chip very soon after application.

[prettykitty2020]

the method 2 taking it off is correct but as a nail tech student i should warn u that using anything on ur nails thats not supposed to go on your nails is VERY DANGEROUS your nail beds soak up whtevers on your nails and it gets into your bloodstream and can permanently damage your nails so just use nail acetone believe me if u still want nails just use that :)

[chadamiller]

Pure Acetone IS what is used in a salon. There is no such thing as Nail Acetone.

[Ninzerbean]

Wow, I have never heard of this before, thank you for the info though, just in case it ever makes its way to Florida. I wish I could have pretty nails but with all the DIY projects I tackle it would be such a waste of time.

[zurichko]

Ouch. I just nail stamp, it's cute and not painful!