In addition to applying acetone-soaked cotton balls directly to the nail and wrapping them in aluminum foil for upwards of 10 minutes, your local nail salon may also opt to use professional tools, like a nail drill, to remove residual gel polish.
Acetone offers the most effective way to remove gel nail polish at home, says board-certified dermatologist Shari Lipner, MD, FAAD.
So, let's be clear: that's why visiting a professional (preferably the person who did your gel treatment) is always the best way to get your gels removed. Your nail tech knows exactly how to do it correctly, has the tools to do so, and, no shade, but absolutely has more patience than you to get the job done safely.
The danger with keeping your nail polish on too long is that the pigment in the nail polish can soak into the top few layers of the nail and dry it out, Dr. Rowland says. When that happens, fungus, yeast, bacteria, mold and mildew can develop underneath the nail plate, which can lead to long-term problems.
Effects of Gel Nails
Gel pedicures can cause your nails to become brittle, peel and crack. Furthermore, the constant usage of gel nails could lead to skin cancer. If insisting on using gel nails for fingers and toes, Dr. Mark Forman DPM, M.B.A., FAPWCA strongly suggests taking breaks in between salon visits.
For gel nails, take a break for a week at least once every eight weeks to allow the nails to rehydrate and to allow repair of the underlying structures. “An emollient applied directly to the nail and cuticle oil will also aid recovery,” said Batra.
Your nail technician will use a file to ~gently~ buff your nails. This isn't to scrub the polish off – it just adds a bit of texture to the shiny surface so that the nail polish remover can do its thing. Each cotton pad will be dipped in the acetone and wrapped around each nail.
"By peeling off a gel manicure, you are not only removing the gel, but also the top layers of these delicate cells. This can result in white patches and textural irregularities throughout the nails." But it can be so hard to resist!
The acetone soak softens the nail plate and even gentle scraping can push cells creating divots or white spots. It takes about three to six months for nails to grow out completely, erasing these white spots. Give your nails a break from gel to allow the nail plate time to recover.
The average gel pedicure lasts at least two to three weeks but can last up to four weeks depending on the shoe, activity level, and environmental factors like time spent on the beach or in chlorinated pools. Chipping or smudging is less likely to occur than your typical manicure.
Since gel nail polish can be worn for weeks on end without even the tiniest chip, stretching the life of your manicure is tempting. However, Hadley suggests removing a gel manicure after two to three weeks maximum to avoid damaging nail beds and cuticles.
If after removing your toenail polish, you see these white chalky patches then in most cases it is a condition called keratin granulation. These occur from constant polish wearing. This is not a fungus but can look much like it and can trigger a fungus so it is important to treat 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.
Remover: You have a few replacement options to use instead of acetone. 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.
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.
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.
This is why heading to a professional to remove shellac nails is a good idea. A liquid solvent used to remove stubborn polish. Like traditional nail varnish remover, but seriously strong (I'm talking removing Sharpie strong). Cotton pads will be soaked in acetone, and wrapped around each nail, to dissolve the polish.
Gel mani and pedis are ideal for someone who doesn't want to frequent the salon that often. They generally last longer, so you don't have to deal with polish dulling or chips. Lin recommends a gel pedicure if you're going on a vacation or plan on spending a ton of time at the beach or a pool.
Gel and acrylics cause the nails to lose moisture and become brittle, flaky and peeling. This can also be caused by improperly peeling the gel and removing the nail plate.
Gel manicures are more likely to thin your natural nail, specifically the nail plate. This can cause drastic effects over time. This is likely due to the harsh acetone soak your nails have to go through to remove gel nails.
When in doubt, black is always the answer. Yep, even on your toes! It's unexpected and the superior color choice if you're looking to hide sand or any other inevitable damage your pedicure might accrue once you're outside more.
That's because one symptom of over-curing a UV gel is the release of excessive amounts of heat. This type of burning can cause the nail plate to separate from the nail bed. This creates an open space, which is called onycholysis.