Gel extension nails are known for lasting longer, but they can significantly damage your natural nail beds, especially if you don't remove them properly.
Regardless of how you remove your gel nails, it's important to care for your natural nails after the fact to ensure they grow back healthier and faster. Our Rocket Nail Fuel Repair can help repair the damage gel polish does to your nails and get you natural-looking nails in no time.
There are common ways to remove gel nails safely:
- Going to a nail salon and having it removed professionally
- Removing them at home with the right tools
- Removing them using acetone
Having them professionally removed
Possibly the safest and easiest way to remove gel extensions is to go to a salon and ask them to remove them. Salon staff will have the right tools to remove them as safely as possible, and all you'll need to do is sit back and relax.
The only downside is that you'll need to pay a fee (plus a tip) for the service.
Remove gel X nails at home with an e-file
This method of removing gel X nails requires specialized equipment that most people probably won't have sitting around at home. Specifically, an e-file nail drill. This is the tool that a nail technician uses to file and buff your nails before they start the gel coats.
If you have an e-file nail drill or nail buffer, you can use this method to remove gel X nails.
You'll need the following:
- E-file nail drill and sanding band
- Nail clippers
- Cuticle pusher
- Foil
- Cotton balls
- Acetone
Steps to take:
- Use the e-file to remove the top coat of the gel polish. Be careful not to go too far—you don't want to hit your natural nail.
- Use your nail clippers to trip down the gel nails to where your natural nail ends.
- Place an acetone-soaked cotton ball on your nails and wrap each with aluminum foil to keep it in place.
- Leave for about 15-20 minutes (this is important as the acetone needs time to soak).
- Remove the foil and cotton balls and scrape off any gel using your cuticle pusher.
- Using a nail file, file the nail to smooth it out and remove any additional gel.
- Use repairing polish to ensure your nails grow back healthy and happy.
Remove gel X nails without specialty tools
If you don't have an e-file nail drill, you can still attempt to remove gel X nails at home and avoid a trip to the nail salon.
You'll need the following:
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Cotton balls
- Acetone (100% acetone works best)
- Manicure stick
Steps to take:
- Trim down your gel nails to the end of your natural nail.
- Using your nail file, buff the surface of your gel nails to remove as much of the top layer as possible.
- Place acetone-soaked cotton balls on top of your nails and wrap them with small pieces of aluminum foil.
- After 15-20 minutes, remove the foil and cotton balls.
- Using a manicure stick, gently scrape off the gel from each nail. (If the gel doesn't come off easily, try soaking them in acetone again using the cotton balls.)
- Once all of your gel X nails are removed, use your nail file to buff your nails and remove any additional gel or glue.
- Use repairing polish to ensure your nails grow back healthy and happy.
How to repair your nails after removing gel
You can do a few things to repair your nails after having gel or acrylic nails removed.
- Use Rocket Nail Fuel Repair: It will strengthen your nails and ensure they grow back strong and healthy.
- Use the Nail System: This comes with the Rocket Nail Fuel and cuticle oil to keep your nails looking healthy. It also comes with a nail color of your choice (and remover), so you can still wear polish while your nails are healing.
Why you should remove gel X nails properly
Sometimes gel X nails lift at the edges, making it tempting to start peeling them off your nails. This is not recommended because you'll likely rip off the top layer of your entire nail, which can be painful and leave you with unsightly nails.
We recommend seeing a nail tech to properly remove your gel x nails, but you can also remove them at home.
FAQs
Are nail extensions or a gel manicure bad for my nails?
At BeautyGARDE, we strongly advise against false nails of any kind. Although they may look pretty, and nail art may seem great for special occasions, you risk severe damage to your nails, including infections, split nails, and more.
Can I use regular nail polish with the Rocket Nail Fuel?
No, "regular" polish creates a barrier that prevents the Rocket Nail Fuel from working. Luckily, you can purchase the Rocket Nail Fuel System, which includes the following:
- Rocket Nail Fuel
- Nail color of your choice
- Cuticle oil
- Nail Fuel Remover
