Gel nails removal issue

[taratill]

So I've got an issue with Gel Nails. I had mine done as a treat on a cruise a couple of weeks ago and I need to have them removed but I can't get any local salon to do it (even though I then want them replaced), apparently it's an insurance issue.

Clearly I can't get back on the boat so what on earth do I do?

You could remove them yourself? Just get the removal gel/liquid and nail caps from a store. Although I have to admit, i’ve never heard of a nail place refusing to remove gels which were put on elsewhere. My usual salon removes them for free if they were done there, otherwise I think they charge me £5.

Cut up some tinfoil into small squares, cut up 3 cotton wool pads into quarters. File off the shiny top coat from your nails. Soak the cotton wool pads in acetone, put one on top of each nail and wrap in a tinfoil square to keep in place. Leave for 10 mins, remove one at a time and GENTLY scrape off the gel with an orange stick or similar - careful as the acetone will have softened your nails. You might need to buff off any residue.

I have just done this as I got mine done on a cruise a couple of months ago. The filing is vital. I found my big toes needed a longer soak but the rest were 10-15 minutes. I did one foot at a time for convenience because I found it hard to keep the foil on my toes as it was hard to keep my toes still.

Was it a hard gel which is unsoakable or was it a gel polish or builder gel? If one of the latter they will soak like others have advised.
If not it’s a matter of filing 80% of the product off and letting it grow out.
I would try another salon for infills though, when I was a beauty therapist I just hated removing/ infilling someone else’s work as you never knew of the product would take 10 minutes or 10 days to soak off. Or will it start lifting when I start filing etc.

the Chinese/Thai type salons were you just turn up are usually more happy to infill work from other salons.

anyone should be happy to remove and start again tho, so I don’t really understand why you’ve had a problem!

What ever you do, don’t pick them off! It causes damage and can make them sore. Most private nail techs have had to stop removing others work because there’s been an increase in Non standard salons (people often refer to these as ‘Chinese’ salons or ‘chop shop’) using products that are classed as harmful in the UK, and very hard to remove/work with. If you know it’s a hard gel, that needs to be removed with an electric file. Gel or builder can be soaked off with acetone. As you were on a nice cruise, they’ve likely used good products that as easily removed.