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Heres their best advice for removing gel nail polish without destroying your nails.
NataliSam/Adobe Stock
However, theyre not the best for yournail health.
The other, more serious, health concern: exposure to UV radiation.
You know the glow from the lamps that set gel manicures?
Thats actually a bang out of ultraviolet (UV) light.
No, definitely not.
Whats the easiest way to remove gel nail polish at home?
(See step-by-step instructions below.)
In other words, dont start this process if youre in a rush.
Before you soak, protect the surrounding areas with a cuticle oil, celebrity manicuristPatricia Yankee, tells SELF.
Theres no need to get a fancy specialty cuticle oil unless you want to, though.
A tried-and-true alternative is Vaseline ($3,Amazon).
The petroleum jelly (technicallypetrolatum) will create a barrier to minimize the acetones damage.
Aquaphor ($10,Amazon) works too.
According to Yankee, this traps in heat to help the gel break down faster.
Gel polish formulas vary in strength, so the wait time can be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.
Yankees pro tip: Its often best to do one hand at a time at home.
I like to start with the dominant hand to get the toughest part out of the way.
Its a small change, but it makes a huge difference, she says.
If youve soaked long enough, the first few coats will begin to peel off easily.
if you hit more stubborn layers, youll need to loosen them up with another acetone soak.
Repeat the soaking-and-scraping method until youve safely removed all of the color.
And occlusiveswhich include petrolatum, beeswax, and lanolinphysically block water loss from the skin, Dr. King explains.
Folks with particularly sensitive skin and/or dry,brittle nailscan also opt for nail polish remover thatsacetone-free.
But let us save you a google: Romah doesnt think vinegar is strong enough to do the trick.
If you want something less strong than acetone, then use a non-acetone remover, she says.
What are the best gel nail polish remover products to try?
you’re able to use it to soak off gel nails or tips, Romah says.
Reviewers say it speeds up the process.
Plus, you might refill the pot using whatever remover you want.
BTArtbox Foil Nail Wraps
Amazon
Save yourself a few steps with these little foil nail wraps.