How can I remove gel nails at home?

We get it — peeling off your gel polish can be tempting. But if done wrong, it can damage the natural nail underneath and leave you with thin, sensitive tips.

If you absolutely need to remove gel at home, here’s the safest way to do it:

Gently file the top coat | Use a fine nail file to remove the shiny surface so acetone can penetrate the gel.

Soak cotton in acetone | Place the cotton on your nails and wrap each finger with foil. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.

Slide off gently | Use a cuticle pusher or orange stick to gently push the gel off. Don’t force it — rewrap if needed.

Buff and nourish | Lightly buff any leftover gel. Finish with cuticle oil and hand cream to rehydrate.

✨ Better yet? Let a pro handle it.

At BeautyBar SGV, we remove gel with expert care — no damage, no stress. We protect your nail plate with gentle buffers, high-quality acetone, and post-removal treatments.

See if Gel-X is right for you →
Learn more about hard vs soft gels →