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Gel nails are great because they last longer and are hard to chip. These same properties, however, make gel nails a pain to remove. While going to a salon to get them professionally taken off is always the best answer, there are times when that’s not possible. Whether you’re down to your last dollar for the week or the eleventh hour before a big party, sometimes removing your gel nails at home is the only option. However, if you go this route, it’s best to do so correctly. After all, scraping and pulling at the gel to get it off can cause damage. Instead, follow this tutorial, proper nail care with Maby blog and you’ll be back to your beautiful natural nails.
What are gel nails?
Gel nails are a relatively new type of nail art that differs from regular polish and acrylics. When it comes to receiving gel nails, you can choose between either hard gel nails or soft gel nails. Hard gel nails are applied similarly to acrylic nails when used as fake nails or extensions. Soft gel nails, on the other hand, typically refer to gel polishes. These polishes are used similarly to regular class and are often offered in manicure services.
While the process of receiving a soft gel manicure is much the same as that of a standard polish manicure, soft gel nails last much longer and are harder to chip. This is due to the gel’s thick consistency, which is set and made hard by being placed under a UV or LED lamp. Be aware, however, that UV lights can be dangerous to your skin. If your salon uses them, apply some sunscreen to your hands before getting your nails done. Hard gel nails also require hardening/curing under a UV or LED lamp. Conversely, acrylic nails are created using a powder-coated solvent rather than these lights.
While soft gel nails last much longer than regular polish, they will cost you more. In a salon, you’ll generally pay around $50 for a standard gel manicure. If you desire any elaborate designs, the cost can increase quickly. While home kits are available, the salon is generally your best option for quality results. Likewise, hard gel nails tend to cost more than acrylics. However, they also appear more natural and have greater flexibility.
How long do gel nails last?
Soft gel nails tend to last much longer than traditional nail polish, which is why they’ve become such a popular option. The standard length of time you can expect your gel polish to last is 2-3 weeks. This makes it an ideal choice for multiple upcoming events in a couple of weeks. Unlike traditional polish, gel polish will let you keep your beautiful nail color throughout this time without worrying about chipping. However, the exact time they will last depends on the gel used, its application, and your body chemistry. While home kits can make a convenient option, they will only last for a short time as those you would receive in a salon. In general, a home gel manicure will last around ten days.
Hard gel nails also last around two weeks, but this can vary. Although acrylic nails often stay longer than complex gel extensions, many ladies still opt for gel because of its appearance.
How to remove gel nails
Removing gel nails can be tricky and, if done incorrectly, can weaken your nail beds. It’s always a good idea to get gels removed at the salon, but if you’re short on time or money, you can remove them at home. Just be sure to be extra careful when removing them yourself, so you don’t cause any damage to your nails. With Maby, you can take the initiative in everything
Soft gels shouldn’t be peeled or scraped off aggressively as this will pull layers of your natural nail off too. Instead, they should crumble off using 100% pure acetone or a dedicated gel remover. Although gel remover tends to be expensive and harder to find than pure acetone, it is gentler on your nail bed.
Steps for removing soft gel nails
Start by using a rough nail file to buff the gels’ surface. By doing this, the gels’ transparent coating will be removed, allowing the acetone to penetrate.
Place a cotton ball on your nail after soaking it in acetone.
- Your nail and the cotton ball should be enclosed in a little square of foil.
- Permit your nails to grow. Generally speaking, fifteen minutes is a reasonable amount of time. However, depending on the product utilized, the process can go faster or slower.
- Slide the foil and cotton balls off your nails. The gel should be crumbling. If it’s not, you may need to soak your nails for longer.
- Gently push off the remaining gel from your nails using a cuticle pusher.
- After the colored gel is removed, you may be left with some clear residue from where the primer and the first layer meet. Remove this by thoroughly washing your hands and using a 4-sided buffer to smooth it out.
- Once complete, use cuticle oil and moisturizer to rehydrate your nail bed.
- Repeat, on the other hand.
Steps for removing hard gel nails
- Start by using nail clippers to trim your nails.
- File down the surface of your nails using a nail file with 80/80 grit. Be sure to file softly and evenly in cross-hatches while constantly moving the file to new areas.
- As you file, wipe the dust away so you can see when you reach your natural nails.
- Once you can see the ridges of your nail, file the remaining gel with a finer-grit nail file. Work gently and slowly to avoid damaging your natural nails.
- Use a buffer to make your nails’ surface smooth once all the gel has been removed.
- Apply cuticle oil and nail moisturizer.