3 easy ways to remove gel nails at home

Whether you are someone who often goes to the nail salon for a manicure, or you only get them once in a while, there often comes a time when you need to remove gel polish at home. If you’ve never done it before, the process can be a bit daunting. Unlike a basic manicure, gel manicure uses a special type of varnish that is cured down to the nail with UV light. Gel polish usually doesn’t crumble, but the regrowth can look a little weird if you wait too long to remove it.

If you can’t get to a salon, don’t have the time, or just want to know how to remove gel nails at home, don’t worry – we’re here to help. Ahead, you’ll find everything you need to know about gel manicures, including how to easily and safely remove a gel manicure so you don’t damage your nails.

What is a gel manicure?

Although a gel manicure is similar to a basic manicure, instead of regular nail polish, gel nail polish is applied to the bare nail and cured under a UV lamp. If several layers of gel polish are applied, each layer must be cured under the UV light. There is no extra drying time after the nails have cured under the UV light, making gel manicure both quick and easy.

Still, gel manicures can only last so long, so when life gets hectic it can be hard to find time to make a moving appointment before resorting to just peeling off the paint completely.

How long do gel nails last?

Gel manicures can last two to four weeks with proper nail preparation and care. To get the most out of your gel manicure, make sure you lotion your nails regularly, apply cuticle oil daily, and don’t pick at the gel. Be careful with your nails and minimize exposure of your nails to hot water.

Possible damage from gel polish removal

You’ve probably heard a million times in a row that removing your nail polish is a no-no, as tempting as it is, and we’re not just telling you that for your health. According to celebrity nail technician Rita Remark, your nails can really suffer from gel polish removal.

“The reason manicurists stress this rule so much is because we can almost guarantee that you’ll end up with nail damage. This is because gels are formulated to adhere to nails much more tightly than traditional nail polish,” she tells POPSUGAR. “It makes the manicure last much longer, but it takes a little more patience to remove it. I think it’s a fair exchange.”

How to remove gel polish at home

If you’re short on time or just can’t get to a salon to get your nail polish removed, read on for a few nail polish removal tips that you can follow at home.