October 12, 2023

How To Remove Gel Polish Safely: A Guide For Nail Technicians

We know that improper gel removal can spell disaster for our client's nails. So, how do we ensure that the removal is as flawless as the application? Dive into this guide as we unravel the dos and don’ts, ensuring that your client's nails remain healthy, undamaged, and ready for their next show-stopping set!

Note: If you’d rather see the removal process in action you can watch our PureBuild Removal Video Tutorial

1. Gather Your Tools

Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary tools at your disposal:

100% Pure Acetone
Cotton Balls or Pads
Aluminium Foil (cut into small squares, or you can buy pre-made foil wraps)
A 180 Nail File for gel polish removal
A 150 Nail File for builder gel removal
Orangewood Stick or Cuticle Pusher
Cuticle oil

How To Remove Gel Safely

2. Preparation

Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated. You can also use an extractor fan like PureAir to remove any filing dust from the workspace.

Cut up your cotton pads into little squares that will fit the nail and also cut up squares of foil big enough to wrap around just under half of the client's finger length. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-made foil wraps with built-in cotton pads.

Ask your client to wash their hands with warm water and soap, or lightly spray their hands with PureClean Sanitiser

3. Filing The Shiny Surface

Use a 180 file for a gel manicure or a 150 for builder gel and file over the gel on the client's nail. This will break the seal. The goal is to file away the shine for a gel manicure and file away the bulk for a PureBuild manicure. Make sure to cover the cuticle area with your finger to protect the delicate skin.

4. Wrap Nails

Fully saturate cotton balls or pads in acetone-based nail polish remover.
Once you are satisfied with the filing, place an acetone-soaked cotton pad on the nail and wrap the foil around the nail - Repeat on all of the nails and soak for around 10-15 mins.

5. Gently Push Off the Gel

After soaking, use an orange wood stick or cuticle pusher to gently push off the gel polish. Start from the base and move to the tip.

6. Clean and Hydrate

Once all the gel polish is removed, wash the hands with mild soap and warm water to remove any residual acetone. Finish the process by applying cuticle oil to nourish the nails and surrounding skin. Or, skip this step and begin the prep for a new set.