Here’s Exactly How to Remove That Gel Mani at Home (2024)

HOKAY, don’t hate me, but the answer to your very frantic, “How do I remove my gel nail polish at home?!” question is…you don’t. At least, not super safely (even with the best gel polish removers). I know you already know this, but it’s worth repeating: Salon-quality gel manicures are best removed at a salon, by a professional who does this on the daily and won’t destroy your nail beds. I’M SORRY, BUT IT’S THE TRUTH.

That being said, it’s not always possible to get to the salon—especially when, you know, the salon is freakin’ closed. So lemme be real for a sec: I’ve most definitely removed my own gel polish at home before, and although my nails were dry as hell for about a week, I did survive—and also learned a few tips and product recommendations in the process. So if you’re at the point of peeling or picking off your gels, please refrain and instead check out the best gel polish removers, below.

You’ve basically got two options for your at-home gel manicure removal process: filing and soaking in acetone or wrapping your nails with acetone-soaked cotton balls and foil. This first tutorial shows you how to soak your gel nails in remover for only five minutes—less damage, yay!—by first filing off the top layer of the gels to make the removal process easier.

Ah, the ol’ soak-off—the tried-and-true answer to how to remove gel nail polish (and the closest to what you’d get at the salon). After filing off the top layer of your polish, cover your fingernails with wads of acetone-soaked cotton balls, wrap them with tinfoil, and let them sit for at least 20 minutes before gently pushing the polish off your nails with a cuticle stick. More drying, for sure, but also the most effective.

Yes, this is a thing, and yes, it’s got pretty good reviews too. Fun fact: Warm nail polish removerworks faster and more effectively than cold remover. BUT it’s also hella flammable, which is why this little steamer is a better option. Just pour some remover into the base, turn it on, stick your fingers through the holes (after filing down your polish), and chill for 10 minutes before it shuts off. Keep repeating until your gel nail polish easily scrapes off with the included metal pusher.

Regardless of the DIY method you try to remove your gel manicure, you’ll need some high-strength, 100 percent acetone (aka nail polish remover but stronger). Sadly, soaking—or steaming—your nails with the random bottle of “gentle” or “moisturizing” remover you’ve had since high school just ain’t gonna cut it. Try this professional-grade acetone instead, which cuts through glitter and gel fast and also comes with a nail file.

Any acetone you use is going to dry out your hands and nails (it’s part of the trade-off for long-lasting manis), but this nail polish remover from Sally Hansen is at least formulated with a bit of moisturizing grape-seed oil and aloe-leaf extract to help offset the stripping effects of removing your gel polish.

No matter what product or formula you use to remove your gel polish, the process is likely going to require some soaking (gel is strong and takes time to break down). Instead of fussing with foils and trying to wrap them around each finger, pick up these clips, which clamp the acetone-soaked cotton ballsover your nails without slipping.