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Original poster

How best to remove gel nails at home?

30 replies

BrocasBelly · 15/04/2015 19:27

I know I need to soak pads in pure acetone and wrap in tin foil, but then what? Do I just scrape it off?

OP posts:
TooTiredToBeCreative · 15/04/2015 19:34

Yes pretty much, it should easily peel off. I don't use pure acetone- just nail polish remover containing acetone & it works fine.

Crazycatlady27 · 15/04/2015 19:37

Acetone on cotton wool, tinfoil wrapped around.
Leave for 30min. As you take the foil and cotton wool off, give it a twist, this should lift the gel then use a cuticle pusher to push the last of the gel off your nail.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 15/04/2015 19:38

Last time I did it I put an inch of acetone in a ramekin, dunked my fingertips in for a couple of minutes and rubbed it off with cotton wool, far easier. Also buffed them first to break the surface seal a bit.

kiwidreamer · 15/04/2015 19:47

I would always recommend going back to a salon and having them taken off for a fiver usually, I did it myself once and my finger nails ACHED for days afterwards. I get my done by a lady who is mobile and she insists on removing the gel for free even if you are not redoing, some salons might be the same, I would ask!!!

Original poster
BrocasBelly · 15/04/2015 20:14

thanks everyone.

When I've had them removed at the salon, it has looked like it's not all off, but then she buffs it and puts the new gel on top.

So if there's no gel going back on my nails, do I need to do anything once it's off?

Hope that makes sense. I've only ever done it the very very bad way of just peeling it off without soaking; satisfying but terrible for my nails Shock

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violetbunny · 15/04/2015 20:20

Just so you know, heat speeds up the removal. So if you use acetone pads and then wrap in tinfoil, put your fingers somewhere warm and this really helps the polish to peel off. A warm (not hot) hot water bottle helps.

violetbunny · 15/04/2015 20:23

OP, you shouldn't have to do anything after the removal if you're not planning to have polish applied. They should be removing polish thoroughly. I find salons are sometimes in a hurry to remove and rely too much on buffing to get rid of the last hits of polish.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 15/04/2015 20:29

Just don't get acetone anywhere near a naked flame!

Original poster
BrocasBelly · 15/04/2015 20:40

right, great thank you.

I've just dipped my fingers in a ramekin. how long do you think it'll take this way?

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Original poster
BrocasBelly · 15/04/2015 21:37

erm, I've had my nails in acetone for almost an hour and I've still got loads to get off!

I've been taking my hand out every 10 minutes or so to scrape off.

What am I doing wrong??

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cuntyMcCunterson · 16/04/2015 00:58

I don't find the ramekin way works at all. And you really do need pure acetone IME.

I buff the nail with a rough file to take off the shine, wrap each nail in cotton wool with tin foil over the top then sit with my hand between under my arm. I leave for 15 mins the take off the foil gently scrap off the gel if there's any residue I pop the cotton wool tinfoil pouch back on and leave for another 5mins then give a quick scrape and s buff to make sure it's all off. Repeat with my other hand, wash hands, then slather on moisturiser. Work for me every time.
I hope you managed to get yours sorted

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 16/04/2015 07:26

I had the whole thing over and done with in 10 mins using the ramekin method, it was way easier than the foil and cotton wool, which I can never get to stay on my fingers. Sorry it hasn't worked for you Brocas.

RedRideMeGood · 16/04/2015 07:31

Morning, did you manage to do your nails? Is it hard gel (extensions/overlays) or gel polish you had on?

Pumpkinette · 16/04/2015 07:50

I know it's not a good idea but the few times I've had mine done I've just picked them off and used acetone nail polish remover to get the stubborn bits left over - I don't recommend doing it as it takes ages and wrecks your nails. I just didn't have the patience to sit with tinfoil and cotton wool for 30+ mins.

dementedpixie · 16/04/2015 08:09

The ramekin way is too time consuming. It is faster to use cotton pads and foil.

dementedpixie · 16/04/2015 08:09

with acetone. (I buy cheap acetone from home bargains)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 16/04/2015 08:15

I found the ramekin method far faster than cotton wool and foil, so I think it's a case of trying different ways.

OP, was it definitely acetone?

Original poster
BrocasBelly · 16/04/2015 10:01

morning!

after about an hour and twenty minutes in and out the acetone (it's definitely pure, it's this brand: www.amazon.co.uk/Strictly-Professional-Acetone-Removes-Artificial/dp/B003AYALLG ) I was left with a thin, rough layer on my nails. I'm just soaking again now for another go, but I'll try the tin foil method for my other hand.

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Original poster
BrocasBelly · 16/04/2015 10:04

I'm starting to wonder if maybe the nail woman didn't remove the last lot properly before putting the new gels on top. would that make a difference?

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Original poster
BrocasBelly · 16/04/2015 10:21

right, I've switched to foils. the bugger's not coming off!

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Original poster
BrocasBelly · 16/04/2015 10:27

Twenty five minutes now and this last bit's not shifting. AAARGH

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Original poster
BrocasBelly · 16/04/2015 10:30

Photo. Hope no one recognises my thumb!

How best to remove gel nails at home?
OP posts:
Original poster
BrocasBelly · 16/04/2015 10:49

grrrr. Angry

The layer left on my nails doesn't even feel gaugeable after soaking now.

I've given up for now.

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cuntyMcCunterson · 16/04/2015 11:10

Was it a reputable salon? My only thought is that it may not have been salon grade acrylic that was used.
Did the nails have a striong odour when being put on? Were whey significantly cheaper than other stores? Did the person doing your nails use a wee mask thing when filing the acrylic? Did they use a wee electric sander on the acrylic?
The rough residue left on your finger, is it possible to buff it smooth and put a clear Polish over the top until you can go back to the salon and ask their advice?

Original poster
BrocasBelly · 16/04/2015 11:42

it was just a little local salon in the suburbs and gel not acrylics. It was £15, so on the cheaper end of the local salons.

It was this brand: IBD

No mask or electric sander.

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