To remove gel nail polish, soak the nails for an adequate amount of time in an acetone-based nail polish remover, then gently remove the polish. If you try to pry or peel the polish off, you are likely to cause significant damage to the nails. To remove gel nail polish, you need acetone-based nail polish remover, soak-off pads or cotton balls and aluminum foil.
- Soak the nails in acetone
Soak the cotton balls in acetone nail polish remover until they are fully saturated. Wrap an acetone-soaked cotton ball around each nail, then wrap the nail with aluminum foil to keep the cotton ball in place and prevent the polish remover from evaporating.
- Wait an adequate amount of time
A minimum of 10 minutes is required to loosen gel nail polish so it can be removed. If you have had the polish on for more than two weeks, removal may take a little longer.
- Gently remove the nail polish
After at least 10 minutes, remove the tin foil, then gently twist the cotton ball away from the fingernail. The gel nail polish should peel off naturally with this motion. If it doesn't, rewrap the nails in the acetone-soaked cotton balls, and wait a few more minutes before trying again. Don't use any tools to pry or scrape the polish off the nail, as doing so causes damage to the nail.
