Yes, gel polishes look beautiful when applied to natural nails, last long, and give a salon finish. However, when removed in the wrong way, they might damage your natural nails. The best part is that gel polish can be removed at home in so many ways without peeling, scraping aggression, or removing part of the surface of your nails.
So this guide will take you step by step through methods and types of nail polishes, the newest trends to emerge in nail polish, and after-care tips.
Current Popular Nail Polish Trends
1. Chrome & Mirror Nails.
A very metallic shine that can reflect like a mirror- totally famous in Instagram.
2. Glazed Donut Nails.
Soft pearly inspiration from Hailey Bieber.
3. Aura Nails.
Gradient colors that create glow-a-like center effect.
4. Minimalist Nude Nails.
Clean, simple ones that truthfully speak everyday elegance.
5. Jelly Nails.
Translucent glossy colors that appear as candy.
6. Velvet (Cat Eye) Nails.
Using magnetic polish shows shifting-gliding more smoothly compared to the other options as you move your hands.
7. French Tip With a Twist.
Colored tips, chrome tips, and double lines are trending nowadays.
Types of Nail Polish
1. Regular Nail Polish
- Simple to apply
- Air-dried
- Lasts for 3–5 days
- Can be easily removed with an ordinary remover
2. Gel Nail Polish
- Cured under UV/LED light
- Lasts for 2–3 weeks
- Acetone removes
- Super shiny and resistant
3. Dip Powder Nails
- Nail dip powder procedure
- Long-lasting (up to 4 weeks)
- Cannot be easily removed but are tough
4. Acrylic Nails
- A liquid and powder mixture
- Use to create long nails
- Removal requires filing + soaking
5. Shellac
- A kind of fusion between gel and regular polish
- Cured under UV light
- Removes more easily within the purpose of shellac.
6. Matte Nail Polish
- Has that non-shiny, smooth matte effect
- Both available in regular and gel types
7. Magnetic (Cat-Eye) Polish
- Contains metal particles
- Creates patterns in motion using magnets.
8. Peel-Off Nail Polish
- No need for acetone.
- Perfect for kids and quick temporary looks.
- Never Peel Off Gel Polish
Peeling or picking nails destroys natural nails on the upper layer, resulting in the following:
- Thin and weak nails
- Breakage
- Rough surface of a nail
- Pain and sensitivity
Incorrect Gel Polish Removal Damages the Nails
Many people seem to think that gel polish weakens the nails, but the real culprit is the wrong removal technique. When the gel polish is either peeled or scraped off aggressively, the following happens:
- The top protective keratin layer has been removed.
- Nails become very thin and fragile.
- The obvious sign that gel has bonded to the nail comes in the form of a crack appearing on the surface of the nail.
- When it is pulled out, it removes these natural nail layers underneath.
So, very careful, proper removal of gel polish is absolutely imperative.
Preparation makes nails safer and quicker to free from gel polish.
Before doing so, you should
- Trim and file nails a bit
- Wash hands well to get rid of lotion or oil
- Very gently push back cuticles
- Use a buffer to shine the surface even more.
- Apply petroleum jelly around the nails to avoid skin burn.
- Prepare cotton, foil, tools, and acetone.
With good preparation, the gel tends to soften equally along with minimising the possibility of damage to the nails.
Instead, always remove the gel using the gentle method.
Method 1: Acetone Gel Nail Polish Remover
What you Need
- Pure acetone
- Cotton balls or pads
- Aluminum foil
- Nail file
- Cuticle oil
- Wooden cuticle stick
Steps
- Layer File: Do superficial filing on the shiny top coat to allow penetrating acetone.
- Acetone-Saturated Cotton: Set the soaked cotton ball on your nails.
- Wrapped With Foil: Tighten them around each finger and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Polish Gently Pushed Off: Use a wooden stick to push off soft gel, not with force; if it resists, do so again.
- Wash & Rehydrate
Method 2: Soaking in Bowl
This is a great alternative if you just don’t fancy wrapping your fingers.
Steps
- Put some acetone in a small bowl.
- Petroleum jelly goes around the nails to protect the skin.
- Fingers are soaked for 10–15 minutes.
- Gently push off the loosened gel with a cuticle stick.
- Wash hands and moisturize.
Method 3: Gel Polish Removal without Acetone
Here, you are dealing with a weaker but slower finding process.
Things You Need
- Warm soapy water
- Nail file
- Cuticle stick
- Moisturizer
Steps
- Soak nails for 15–20 mins.
- Very lightly file the top layer.
- Gently push with the gel.
- Repeat if necessary.
Best get polish removal method (comparison table)
| Method | Time Required | Effectiveness | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone + Foil Wrap | 10-15 Minutes | ***** | Most People | Fastest & Safest |
| Acetone Bowl Soak | 10-20 Minutes | **** | Those who do not want foil | May dry skin slightly |
| No-Acetone Removal | 20-30 Minutes | *** | Sensitive skin | Slow, may need repeating |
Common mistakes in taking off gel polish
- Do not peel or rip off the gel polish
- Do not scrape the nail plate hard and aggressively
- If you’re not trained, do not use metal implements
- Do not file to the point that the nail plate becomes too thin
- Do not soak the nails in acetone for too long
- Pure acetone is the best for that job
- Do not reapply gel polish immediately; let your nails relax for about 3 to 5 days.
After-care Tips for Healthy Nails
- Apply cuticle oil daily: Helps in drying up and strengthens weak nails.
- Nail strengthening serum: Helps in rebuilding the layers of the nails.
- Shorten your nails for some days: For Lesser breakages during healing.
- Give your nails a well-deserved break: No new gels for 3–5 days.
Conclusion
Gel nail polish is beautiful, but the wrong method of removing it weakens the nails as well. The beauty of it all is that you can remove it by using safe and easy methods to follow and improve your nail health. Now that you are informed of the aftercare tips, you can go ahead and do some of the trending nail styles for that confidence boost before starting on your next manicure.
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