If you’ve used gel nail polish, you’re probably aware of how long it lasts. Gel manicures are an alternative to traditional nail polish because of their high shine and long-lasting color.
Gel nail polish, despite its popularity, is notoriously difficult to remove. While many people prefer to have their gel manicures removed at a salon, with a few tips and tricks, you can do it yourself at home.
This article will look at five creative polish-removing hacks that won’t ruin your fingers. Read on.
Use non-acetone nail polish remover on hands and feet
Apply non-acetone nail polish remover to a cotton ball and rub the affected area until the polish comes off. Rinse the affected area with soap and warm water. Although non-acetone nail polish remover is gentler than regular nail polish remover, it may still leave the skin dry. If this occurs, try rubbing some hand lotion or cream over the affected area after you have finished.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is another common household item that can be used to remove nail polish.
Scrub your nails with a simple toothpaste or one containing baking soda, a mild abrasive. After a few minutes of scrubbing, wipe your nail with a cloth to see if this method worked.
Try taking a bath or shower
Soaking in water and scrubbing with soap and a washcloth may be all that is required to loosen dried nail polish. Warm water, soap, and a mildly abrasive washcloth or sponge are all recommended. Scrub the area gently until the nail polish comes off. The warm water should also aid in its removal. For best results, allow 15 to 20 minutes for the bath.
Hydrogen peroxide and hot water soak
Hydrogen peroxide is used in many cosmetic and beauty products for lighting and may also aid in the removal of an old manicure or pedicure.
Soak your nails in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and hot water. This may soften the polish enough for you to wipe or gently file it away.
Alcohol spirits
Your liquor cabinet may be the ideal location to remove nail polish. If you soak your nails in spirits with a high alcohol content, like vodka, grappa, or gin, your polish may become softer.
After letting your nails soak for a few minutes, try wiping or peeling the polish off.
Bonus: Hand sanitizer
Do you have a hand sanitizer bottle on hand?
If your nail polish doesn’t soften after a few minutes of soaking in it, rub it off with a cotton ball or piece of cloth.
Tips for choosing safer options
Nobody says you have to give up nail polish forever. Much of it, like many things, boils down to minimizing risk and adhering to a few best practices.
If you still want to paint your nails, here are some precautions.
Be mindful of marketing copy
Many nail polish brands are wary of using buzzwords like “clean” and “natural” without providing any context for what they mean. Sometimes, the media prefers to use those labels to describe specific brands.
Brands promoting their “Free” formulations are usually very upfront about what they’re excluding and why, so read up on it.
Make a point of reading the ingredients
But don’t stop there; research them! The Environmental Working Group maintains a robust database, and it’s simple to enter an ingredient or specific polish for a rundown on any concerns. That is the most effective way to avoid the most dangerous ingredients.
Remember that the front of the package can and frequently is deceptive, but the ingredients can tell a different story.
Take breaks
Although nails do not need to “breathe,” taking breaks from manicures and polishing is still advised.
Even the best formulas and some of the more involved processes (think gel and dip manicures) can dry out the keratin layers in your nails, causing brittleness, thinning, peeling, and even irreversible damage to the tissue in the nail bed and the surrounding cuticles.
Go barefoot once every two months is an excellent general rule of thumb.
How to use nail polish removers?
Nail polish is easily and quickly removed with acetone. Compared to other nail polish removers, it is less toxic.
Although non-acetone nail polish removers are less toxic than acetone-based removers, you may notice that they take longer to remove the polish and do not remove dark nail polish colors. Non-acetone products still contain chemicals that can be harmful over time.
Gel nail polish can only be removed by soaking it in acetone for a long time. Instead of soaking your nails in acetone, try using cotton balls dipped in the chemical on your nails to protect your skin.
Why it’s so hard to remove polish?
True gel nail polish requires the application of a base coat first, followed by several thin layers of polish to achieve the desired color on the nails, even though many nail polish brands use the term “gel.”
After applying each layer, a light-emitting diode or ultraviolet light is used to cure or harden the polish. This causes a chemical reaction that causes the polish to harden more than regular polish. Because of this, it is also referred to as a nail lacquer.
Bottomline
While gel nails are an attractive alternative to traditional nail polish, they can be difficult to remove. Furthermore, repeated gel manicures have been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer.
However, there are several methods for safely and effectively removing nail polish. Over-the-counter removal products may be the most effective, but if you’re in a hurry, you can try rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer.
To avoid dryness, moisturize your skin and nails after removing the polish.
If you’re worried about damaging your skin and nails, stick to traditional nail polish or take steps to protect your skin and nails.