How to Take Off Gel Nails Without Acetone? – The Easy Way

Gel nails are a favorite of every manicure enthusiast, thanks to their durability, shine, variety of designs, and protective nature. 

On the flip side, it is quite a task to take off gel nails without acetone, as they are not as easy to remove as your regular polish. They are firmly attached to your natural nails and need much effort to loosen up.

Although it is a good idea to visit a salon to remove your nails, home solutions are always an option if you are in a hurry. Acetone is an effective remover and is widely used in removing nails.

However, acetone is a harsh chemical that strips off the natural moisture of your nails. So the question remains, how to take off gel nails without acetone, and why is acetone not recommended for taking off gel nails?

Why Is Acetone Not Recommended to Take Off Gel Nails?

Acetone is a great nail polish remover, and it can remove your regular polish in a jiffy. The reason is, acetone is a harsh and strong chemical that can harshly dehydrate your nails and cuticles if exposed to it for a long time.

Dry cuticles lead to broken and irritated skin, often leading to skin problems like eczema and rashes. And dry nails are prone to break. Since gel nails do not get off easily, using acetone is a no-no since it can do more harm than good. 

Now that acetone is off the list, how do we take off gel nails without acetone? Let’s explore.

Required Things to Remove Gel Nails Without Acetone

Although acetone is the most common remover, you can use vinegar, hand sanitizer, and hydrogen peroxide as the substitute for acetone to remove gel nails. Even you can use warm soapy water to remove gel nails.

Here’s the list of things you will require to remove gel nails without acetone.

• Dish soap
• A bowl with warm water
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Cuticle Pusher
• Nail File
• Cuticle Oil

Cuticle pushers are not only for pushing your cuticles, they can be used to push the gel nails while removing them. You must sanitize the cuticle pusher before using it to prevent any infection. 

To take off gel nails without acetone, a nail file works wonders by smoothing the surface of the nail and keeping it in a nice shape. Hence, we are keeping a clean nail file on our list. Also, we will use lint-free cotton swabs for maximum cleaning effect. 

Cuticle Oil is a must to trap moisture in your hands after you take off your gel nails. Cuticle oil also keeps your nails strong as well as flexible. 

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How to Take Off Gel Nails Without Acetone?

Make sure you have set all the things that I have mentioned to complete the removal process without any issues.

Step – 1: Prepare your nails for easy removal.

Fill a bowl with dish soap, warm water, salt, and olive oil. Make sure the bowl is big enough to submerge both of your hands and the water remains warm throughout the soaking process, as this is the key to taking off gel nails without acetone. 

Soak your nails in that bowl for 20 to 25 minutes and take them off when your nails are sticky enough to remove.

Step – 2: Push with a cuticle pusher.

Use your cuticle pusher to gently peel the gel nail off your nail bed. Make sure you are extra careful while doing this, as harsh handling can lead to potential damage to the nail. 

Step – 3: Buff the remnant gel.

Grab your nail file and buff off any remnant gel. Be patient, as harshly buffing can lead to abrasions on the natural nail and damaged cuticles. 

Step – 4: Lock the moisture.

Cuticle oils and hand creams are your saviors from the harsh removal process. No matter how gentle you are, irritation of the nail is unavoidable and can only be soothed with oils and creams. Rub your cuticle oil in your whole nail bed and cuticles. 

Pro Tip: Always keep cuticle oils and hand creams in your bag so that you can moisturize your nails on the go. 

This is how you can take off gel nails without acetone.

Are you planning to get another gel manicure next? Well, you should but first, give your nails a manicure break. It is advisable and even necessary to wait at least 2 weeks before getting another gel manicure.

While a gel manicure protects and beautifies the natural nail, the thick upper layer does not let the natural nail breathe. Allow your nails to breathe before getting your next manicure.

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Other Ways to Take Off Gel Nails Without Acetone

The following steps can also be used to take off gel nails without acetone! Read on to learn about it.

• Trim your nails short if you want to. This will make your job of taking off gel nails without acetone easier.  
• Soak 10 cotton balls in acetone-free nail polish remover and place them on your nails.
• Cut out ten pieces of tin foil and wrap your fingertips with it.
• Let it soak for 10-15 minutes. The nails should start lifting off. 
• Petroleum jelly goes a long way in protecting your natural nails and lifting off any remnant gel. 

Note: Always wait three to five weeks before taking off the gel from your nails as your natural nails may get damaged in the early removal process. 

Final Takeaway

Acetone-free removal is possible if done right. Other unconventional ways to remove gel polish include hand sanitizer, petroleum jelly, etc. While acetone is highly used for this purpose, it is intensely drying, and its continued usage can lead to thin and brittle nails. 

Apart from regularly getting manicures, it is a very good practice to keep a nail routine. Spare a minute to apply some cuticle oil on your nails every night before you go to sleep. If you have very brittle nails, you may apply a nail primer or hardener to strengthen your nails.

I hope to have ended all your gel woes! Fret not; I have vowed to provide you with the easiest and most reliable solutions so that you can enjoy healthy, beautiful, and fabulous nails every day!

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