Gel(ation?) Nails

[SophieLeGiraffe]

How the hell do I get it off?

I had a manicure with this a few weeks ago and it's starting to look tatty. I need to get it off. What are my options?

[SuperB0F]

Go back to the nail parlour is your safest option.

[SophieLeGiraffe]

I had it done on holiday (in UK). Do most salons remove it?

[Rosa]

Think they file it off but get it done properly.

[carrie74]

If it's the first time you had it, I'd recommend going to a salon to remove it, but I've done it at home myself:

Soak a small cotton pad in acetone, stick it on the nail, then wrap in tin foil for 10-15 minutes. Repeat as necessary.

However, my salon has said they've found a quicker way: put some acetone in a plastic bag, and tip it into the corner of the bag. Dunk your nails so they're submerged in the acetone, then put the bag into a bowl of warm water. Again about 10-15 minutes. Not tried this method yet, but they said it was much quicker, although likely to hurt if you've got any nicks in your skin.

[SuperB0F]

Oh yes, any nail bar should do it.

[SophieLeGiraffe]

This is all sounding very high maintenance. My colleague said you have to scrape it off after the acetone soak with an orange stick?

[SuperB0F]

Yes, you could. But it is revolting, and I'd rather pay a professional a fiver to do it quickly than spend that on acetone and freaking myself out.

[LulaPalooza]

Have you had the Jessica GELeration done? If so, there's a kit that you can buy. But if it's your first time, I would go to a salon as others have said. You can damage your nails and cuticles if you do it badly. Don't be tempted to buff or pick any of it off.

[LulaPalooza]

Nooooooooo to scraping off! You could damage your nail bed.

[SophieLeGiraffe]

Ok. You have me convinced. I will go to a salon, just need to find one in my area that can do it. Though I suspect it will cost more than a fiver.

I don't know what type it was. Husband bought it for me as a surprise and neither he nor I really knew what he'd booked me in for.