Any girl who has ever switched from regular nail polish to gel polish knows how convenient it is. Gel polish maintains a rich shine and a flawless nail appearance for several weeks, hardly chipping at all.
Typically, a gel manicure lasts three to four weeks. While the polish itself can last longer, by this time the nails often grow to an inconvenient length. If you can’t immediately make an appointment with a nail technician, you might be tempted to trim or file your nails yourself. But is this a good idea, and what could go wrong if you do it?
Can you trim nails with gel polish?
Trimming nails with gel polish is not recommended. It compromises the seal at the nail tip, making the coating more prone to chipping and peeling. The same applies to filing: a nail file can remove the sealing layer at the edge, which may start the breakdown of the polish.
The safest way to change the length of your nails is either to get a new manicure or remove the old gel polish first, and only then trim or file your nails.
How to properly remove gel polish at home
1. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the nails — this protects the skin from acetone.
2. Cut cotton pads to fit your nails — this reduces the risk of acetone touching the skin around the nails.
3. Soak each cotton pad in acetone, place it on the nail, and wrap the fingertip with plastic wrap.
We recommend using plastic wrap instead of foil, as it fits snugly around the finger and keeps the cotton in place. This reduces the amount of acetone that gets on the cuticles.
4. After 10 minutes, remove the wrap — by this time, most of the gel polish should come off easily.
5. Remove the remaining gel polish using a sponge or makeup pad dampened with warm water.
4. After 10 minutes, remove the wrap — by this time, most of the gel polish should come off easily.
5. Remove the remaining gel polish using a sponge or makeup pad dampened with warm water.
Do not use an orange stick to scrape off the polish — this can damage the nail plate and cause white spots to appear.
6. Wash your hands with mild soap and running water to remove any acetone residue.
During the first week, regularly apply cuticle oil 2–3 times a day and use a hand cream to keep your hands hydrated.