Removing polygel nails can be a tricky and time-consuming process. If you’ve tried the traditional methods of removing gel polish from your nails but are still struggling with the tricky task of uninstalling polygel nails or gel manicures.
In this article, I’ll share how to remove polygel nails, with step-by-step instructions on how to remove your polygel nails safely and quickly at home.
Benefits Of Polygel Nails
Polygel nails are a relatively new type of nail enhancement. They offer several advantages over other types of nail enhancements such as acrylics and gels.
Polygel nails are a combination of hard gel, monomer liquid, and acrylic powder; making them incredibly strong yet lightweight and flexible for your skin and nails.
This allows for safer application with better overall results than traditional acrylic or gel nails.
One benefit to polygel nails is durability. The combination of materials used in the application process makes it so that the finished product can last up to six weeks before needing maintenance, longer than either gels or acrylics alone could provide.
Many users report that their polygel nails look more natural than other types of nail extensions do, which is an advantage for those looking for a subtle look rather than bold fashion statements.
Another great feature about polygel nails is that they don’t require any drills or electric files during application—all that’s needed are a few different tools (brushes, liquids, powders).
Since the application process includes multiple layers that each need to be cured between applications using UV lamps or LED lights.
It doesn’t take as long to apply this type of artificial nail extension compared to others on the market today—meaning less time in the salon chair.
As polygel nails are not applied using harsh chemicals like many other manicure techniques require, they tend to cause less damage to natural nails when applied correctly and properly cared for afterward—a major plus for those hoping to keep their own nails healthy.
How to Remove Polygel Nails
If you know how to use polygel nail extensions, then it’s important to also know how to remove your manicure properly, and how to remove the remaining polygel from the length of your nails.
When removing polygel nails, you should always be careful so that it won’t damage your natural nails. One way to remove the polymer is by using acetone, but this will take some time and effort.
You can also use a nail drill or a nail file to get rid of the edges of your polygel nails. You can protect the edge of your nails with a product like petroleum jelly.
If you want to take off your polygel nails quickly, then a nail cutter would be the best option, but again, make sure that you are gentle when using one in order not to damage your natural nails underneath.
If you don’t have any of these tools available, then carefully pull off the polymer from each corner until it is completely removed.
Just make sure that you start at one end and work slowly so as not to damage the underlying layer of your natural nails before proceeding on with removing all layers of the gel polish.
Once done, wash your hands and nails properly, with soap and warm water for about ten minutes afterward and apply cuticle oil for additional protection against further damage of the nail surface.
Taking good care of your natural nails after polygel manicure removal is very important because failing to do so may these may lead to dryness or infection due to excessive exposure to acetone or other chemicals used during the removal process.
How To Remove Polygel Nails With Acetone Nail Polish Remover
When it comes to knowing how to remove polygel nails at home, there are a few methods that can be used to manually remove the remaining polygel with your soak off nail clips.
The first step is to remove the polygel from the nails with nail clips or a nail drill, so you can remove polygel at home.
Once the poly gel nails have been removed, it is important to soak the nails in acetone or use nail polish remover for at least 15 minutes, using soak-off nail clips, to help you to remove the polygel.
To do this properly, you will need cotton pads or an acetone soaked cotton ball, which help your nails soak, and ensure that all excess polygel is removed from the nail bed.
After soaking the nails in acetone for 15 minutes, you can use an orange stick and various other tools such as tweezers and metal cuticles pushers to carefully remove any remaining bits of gel or residue left on the nail bed.
When finished with this process, double check that all parts of your nail bed are free from any remaining polygel before using another piece of cotton infused with acetone and wiping away any liquid residue left behind by the removal process, on the nail tips.
If desired, moisture can be added back into your nails by applying a hydrating oil or cream of choice, to the surface of the nails.
Soaking each finger individually in acetone for about 10–15 seconds will help dissolve any remainders eventually left over after removing PolyGel Nails.
So, don’t forget these last steps when removing PolyGel Nails at home, meaning you can remove polygel without damage.
How To Remove Polygel Nails Without Acetone
Removing Polygel nails without acetone is a detailed process that requires time and patience.
The first step to take when wanting to remove polygel nails is to begin filing the edges of your nails, using an electric nail file if you have one available, after using a nail clipper to remove the polygel from the length on your nails.
Filing down the edges will help penetrate the polygel to soften it up and make it easier to lift off. Make sure not to be too harsh on your natural nail bed as this could cause damage.
If there isn’t much progress being made with just using an electric nail file, then consider using a glass or ceramic nail file, as they are more effective since they are less abrasive than traditional files.
When softening the polygel, continue filing downwards until enough of the product has been removed for you to be able to easily lift it away from your natural nails.
Once you’ve achieved this, gently use a cuticle pusher or orange stick to push back any remaining look down towards your cuticles so that can also be removed along with the rest of the product.
During removal, try not work against any remaining product, but rather slowly work around it until all of it has been completely stripped away from your nails.
If done too harshly, it can break apart and become harder for removal, which will increase the risk of damaging your natural nails further when scraping them off.
Once all of the product has finally been removed from all fingers, give them each some extra TLC by brushing them against one another and running over them lightly with a buffer block.
This helps smooth out any uneven ridges that may have resulted during the removal of Polygel Nails.
To finish up, use either a nourishing oil or hydrating cuticle cream around each finger’s surrounding skin, making sure to thoroughly moisturize everything around before completing the removal process.
Can You Remove Polygel Manicures With An Electric Nail Drill?
Removing Polygel manicures can be tricky, but with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to take off polygel nails or acrylic nails without damaging your natural nails easily.
Plus, you can always visit a professional nail technician to help you remove the bulk of your polygel nails too.
The key is to use acetone or a nail drill for polygel removal. Acetone will help to dissolve the poly gel, allowing you to scrape away at it with a file or pick before gently working it off the nail bed.
However, this requires more time and effort than using an electric nail drill, which provides more controlled power when filing away at the polygel.
When using a nail drill, there are several steps that should be taken to ensure that you remove your polygel nails without damage to your natural nails.
Firstly, make sure that you start with a low speed setting of five on the drill, then slowly increase as needed – avoid going too high as this could cause damage to your nails.
Once the form of your nail has been broken down by filing away the top layers of polygel using a slightly curved diamond head (or other suitable bit), switch back to low speed and repeat until all traces of polygel are gone – only then should you switch over to buffing or finishing bits if required.
To prevent further problems from occurring, always keep hands well moisturized after removal for them to heal quickly, and also wash hands thoroughly before applying new products.
Lastly, never forget safety first when removing poly gel – wear protective gloves and eye gear when necessary and always pay attention so that no accidental harm occurs during the process.
So, you avoid damaging the natural nails. Always finish up by using cuticle oil, too, to hydrate your nails after you use a nail filer.
Summary
You can remove polygel nails thanks to a few tools. Using a nail drill to remove polygel is one of the easiest methods, as using a nail file is quick and easy to use, and will buff the polygel from the surface, without needing the use of nail polish remover.
If you do use acetone, use the nail polish remover with cotton balls, as an easy way to dissolve the polygel from the surface of the nails.
Keep your nails healthy after removal, as nails may be left dry and rough, so condition your post polygel nails using oil or hand cream.