Should I go to salon to remove gel nail polish? (2024)

Should I go to salon to remove gel nail polish?

Don't overthink it: The process of removing gel polish at home looks almost exactly the same as how it goes as the salon. First, you're going to want to grab a fresh nail file. Tuttle notes that if one nail breaks or chips, file it down to a shape that you want and to leave it alone after if you can.

Don't overthink it: The process of removing gel polish at home looks almost exactly the same as how it goes as the salon. First, you're going to want to grab a fresh nail file. Tuttle notes that if one nail breaks or chips, file it down to a shape that you want and to leave it alone after if you can.

To keep your nails healthy, it's safest to have your gels removed at the salon. Removal fees can cost anywhere between $10-$20.

“If they have to remove the prior gel manicure, fingers are soaked in acetone for at least 10 minutes. No sun protective product will last through it.”

Studies show that, over time, gel polish and its removal with acetone or manual peeling can weaken your nails, contributing to nail dehydration and thinning of the nail plate. Essentially, the process is tough on your nails.

If the nail professional is using a gel-polish that has a fast removal time like that of CND Shellac (eight minutes), the removal service will take 15 minutes or less.” “I allot an additional 15 to 20 minutes for removal time. This ensures the product comes off completely without having to be pried off.”

Post-Gel Problem #1: There are white spots or lines on your natural nail, and/or the nail plate feels uneven. Post-gel damage is typically caused by the removal process. Using the wrong tools and technique can leave tips with microtrauma.

The gel topcoat is a tough, nearly impermeable layer that seals the color in place—that's why gel manis are able to last for weeks instead of days. Scratching the surface with a coarse nail file will help the acetone to penetrate without a hitch.

I'll give it to you straight: The longest you can wear a gel manicure without compromising your nail health is two weeks, says Evelyn Lim, chief educator of New York–based nail salon Paintbox.

Gel polish lasts between 2-3 weeks at the minimum, while regular polish is lucky to go a week without chipping. With light wear, your gel nails last at least twice as long as a normal polish, but realistically they get you four to six times a standard manicure mileage.

Can I just grow out gel nails?

If you just allow your gel nails to grow out, they can become weak and brittle as a result of being exposed to water and air, which could potentially damage your natural nails.

The soaking method is the simplest way to remove your gel polish without the use of a lot of tools. Fill a small bowl with just enough acetone nail polish remover to cover your fingertips. Soak your fingertips in acetone for 10 to 15 minutes.

I loved how long they lasted and it was a huge bonus that it was immediately dry after. I finally was able to escape the dreaded sheet marks on my just-painted nails. Because the process is super easy and the results are really, really great, I definitely think doing gel nails at home is worth it.

"The biggest risk to leaving a gel manicure service on for longer than three weeks is that the extra weight can start pulling on the edge of your nail, causing tears in the base of your nails," says Reynosa. "They can then lift, which peels back keratin layers and causes more mechanical damage.

Overall, Dip Powder Manicures are a great way to get a healthy manicure that will protect and strengthen your nails without causing any damage. Just like any nail treatment, you do have to make sure you properly remove it to keep your nails safe and healthy – Don't pick at your manicure!

Moisturize Often

Massage a cuticle oil into your nails and the skin around them several times a day. Then seal everything in with a thick hand cream or salve. Oils absorb better into the nail beds, and creams create an occlusive barrier so that moisture doesn't escape.

Acetone offers the most effective way to remove gel nail polish at home, says board-certified dermatologist Shari Lipner, MD, FAAD. Instead of wrapping your nails in foil, she recommends using plastic food wrap.

The process can be lengthy, but it can be painful to have your nails scraped by a nail technician, even if you frequently receive gel manicures. If you want to remove your gel manicure at home, here are a few supplies you should keep on hand: Nail file.

But in practice, people (and manicurists) often peel or chip away at the gel polish in order to speed things up. “That likely causes more nail damage and thinning,” she says. At the same time, the acetone itself can be an irritant, and so may lead to aching or pain after soaking.

You might also notice spots and white lines that take months to grow out. Your nails get used to the gel and its protective coating, so they start breaking and snapping after the gel is removed. As nails take up to 6 months to fully grow out, it's a lot of inconvenience and discomfort!

Why are my nails so thin after gel?

"Prolonged use of gel manis and acrylics dehydrates your nails, making them dry, brittle, and fragile," says manicurist Jin Soon Choi, founder of JINsoon nail polish and salons. Cuticle oil is your BFF for imparting deep hydration.

Gel polish makes your nail beds weaker, although it won't harm your actual nails. Your nails themselves aren't sensitive to air or lack thereof, but your nail beds and cuticles are. Although the gel polish shouldn't be on these parts of your nails anyway, the removal process can expose your nail beds to damage.

First, gel manicures need to be removed and reapplied every two weeks. This causes wear and tear on the nail cells, and can lead to ridges in the nails and a condition called keratin granulation. This occurs when columns of keratin rise up through the nail bed, which can leave the nail feeling rough and weak.

No, it is not normal for gel nails to come off in such a short amount of time. A set of gels should last you around 2-3 weeks. They may have lifted prematurely as the nail plate may not have been prepared correctly before the gel application, or they may not have been capped/sealed at the free edge.

Gel nails usually last 2–3 weeks. While people can safely have gel nails every few weeks, dermatologists recommend keeping the nails bare for at least 1–2 weeks in between manicures. This helps to strengthen, repair, and rehydrate the nails.

"Gel manicures could last up to two weeks with proper nail prep and at-home care, such as cuticle oil and hand lotion," says Duguay-Gordon. And if you're careful, they can last up to four weeks.

Therefore, professional nail products — be it dip powder or gel — are equally healthy for the nails. In fact, the most important thing to know about dip powder or gel is that neither inherently causes damage to the nail. Instead, damage is caused by improper application or removal of nail coatings.

“We highly recommend using shellac polish versus your typical gel polish because they soak off easier and are less damaging to the nails during the soak-off process,” Dunne says.

Hand sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide, and cuticle oil are some of the most popular and effective methods. You can also try a kitchen oil like olive oil. If you have nothing else on hand, warm, soapy water or vinegar can be used to remove gel nails.

"You probably could remove gel nails with regular polish remover, but you would have to allow the nails to soak for a very long time. You need pure acetone to effectively and quickly break down the gel polish." A bottle of acetone like Pronto's 100% Pure Acetone ($10; amazon.com) will do the trick.

Why do my nails grow faster with gel polish?

General gel nail polishes can help your nails grow by protecting and strengthening them. They add extra layers of reinforcement to the natural nails. This reinforcement makes them less prone to breakage.

Think of gel polish as liquid acrylics.

The removal process for gel polish is more complex as well, requiring the nail to be soaked in acetone to properly dissolve the formula off of the nail." So not only will they last longer, but they'll look harder and shinier while you've got 'em, too.

The polish reacts with the base coat to form the same hard gel surface. Pros: There is no risk of UV exposure and a glossier finish than traditional manicures. Cons: It's difficult to apply -- there are several steps to the process and, since the chemical reaction occurs immediately, you need to work quickly.

Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.

Nail Wraps and Stickers

A nail wrap or sticker will give you the same long-lasting effect as gel—minus all the removal hassle. Nail wraps and stickers are applied on top of the nail and secured down without any UV light curing. To remove them, simply use your usual acetone polish remover until the wrap is gone.

Avoid picking or peeling the product off as this could damage your natural nails. Avoid filing your nails and pushing your cuticles back, as this will break the seal of the gel and can lead to chipping.

Our number one tip: Don't pick or peel off your gels. It never ends well. If you notice white spots, lines or an unevenness on your natural nails, it can take anywhere between three to six months for them to go away, as that's typically how long it takes for your nails to grow out completely.

Your nails get used to the gel and its protective coating, so they start breaking and snapping after the gel is removed. As nails take up to 6 months to fully grow out, it's a lot of inconvenience and discomfort! Paper-thin nails after acrylics are another common issue.

Is it OK to always have gel nails?

Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.

How often is it safe to get them? Gel nails usually last 2–3 weeks. While people can safely have gel nails every few weeks, dermatologists recommend keeping the nails bare for at least 1–2 weeks in between manicures. This helps to strengthen, repair, and rehydrate the nails.

For some people, gel extensions last two weeks; for others, they'll last four to five, according to Davis. "I suggest having a manicure every 12-16 days. You'll have natural growth after that time," she says.