What to expect
If you had a normal manicure, the removal process couldn’t be simpler. Your nail technician will use effective nail polish remover to get rid of whatever’s left of your manicure, before buffing your nails with a file and adding some cuticle oil and clear polish for a neat and tidy look. If you had a gel manicure, the process is a little more detailed. Your nail technician will start by using a grittier nail file to buff off the first layer of polish. At this point, your nails will be looking a little sandy, but don’t panic. This is just the beginning. They’ll then wrap each individual nail in cotton pads soaked in pure acetone. Some technicians will also use aluminum foil for added tightness, depending on how much gel polish you have left on. Once your technician has left your nails for a little while to soak up all of that acetone goodness, they’ll remove the cotton pads and ask you to place your hands in a bowl of warm water. The remaining polish will normally flake right off, but, for any stubborn bits, your technician will use a small scalpel. Lastly, they’ll apply cuticle oil to your nails to keep them healthy and strong. And that’s you done!
Know before you go
*For gel manicures, it’s worth setting aside 30 minutes or so for removal. Normal manicures usually take 15 minutes. *It’s easy to panic when you see your polish flaking off, but don’t! Your nails are perfectly safe in the process, and having your polish professionally removed is the healthiest thing you can do for them. *Don’t ever try and peel gel polish off yourself, as you could take layers off your natural nail. This is a job best left to the experts…
