To safely remove Gel-X nails at home, follow these expert steps:
- Trim and File
- Trim the extensions if they are long to speed up removal, being careful not to cut your natural nail.
- File the top surface of the Gel-X nails to break the seal and allow acetone to penetrate better
- Soak in Acetone
- Use 100% pure acetone for best results.
- Soak your nails in acetone either by:
- Immersing them in a small bowl of acetone for 15–20 minutes, or
- Wrapping each nail with an acetone-soaked cotton ball covered in foil for 15–20 minutes.
- Using warm acetone or placing your hands in warm water while wrapped in foil can speed up the process
- Gently Remove the Gel
- After soaking, use a cuticle pusher or orange stick to gently scrape off the softened gel extensions.
- If the gel resists, soak your nails a bit longer to avoid damaging your natural nails by forceful scraping
- Buff Your Nails
- Lightly buff your natural nails to remove any leftover glue or gel residue
- Moisturize
- Finish by applying cuticle oil or a moisturizing serum to nourish your nails and surrounding skin
Tools and products needed:
- 100% pure acetone
- Cotton balls
- Tin foil sheets or soak-off bowls
- Nail clippers and a heavy-duty nail file (100/180 grit)
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle oil or moisturizer
This soak-off method is preferred because Gel-X nails are designed to dissolve in acetone, making them easier and safer to remove than acrylics, which require more filing and longer soaking
. Avoid pulling or forcing the nails off, as this can damage your natural nail bed. The entire process typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes, mostly waiting for the acetone to work
