TikTok Tricks to Remove Polygel Nails at Home

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Removing polygels at home with and without acetone
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Polygel nails are the hottest new manicure trending on TikTok, with the only downside being that they’re a bit hard to remove…especially for DIYers. The good news is that you can remove polygel nails using acetone or by filing off the gel. Soaking your nails is faster than filing and we'll walk you through the steps for each option below so you don’t have to hit the salon when you’re ready to remove your polygel.

Easy Steps to Remove a Polygel Manicure with Acetone

  1. Cut down the length of the polygel tip to just past the end of your finger.
  2. Use a coarse file to remove the top coat on the nail.
  3. Soak your nails in acetone to soften the polygel.
  4. Gently scrape away the softened polygel with a cuticle scraper or orange stick.
  5. Resoak the nails if the polygel hasn’t softened enough to scrape.
  6. Buff away excess polygel residue with a buffing block.
Section 1 of 4:

Soaking Off Polygel Nails

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  1. Use toenail clippers or guillotine nail clippers to trim off the excess polygel that extends past your natural nails. [1] Cutting the nail down to the length of your natural nails or just past your fingertip makes removing the polygel much easier because there’s less product to dissolve.
    • When using toenail clippers, clip on each side of the fingernail, then gently wiggle the nail tip back and forth until it breaks off.
  2. Removing the product's top coat or surface layer with a hand file or electric file (e-file) helps the acetone penetrate the polygel, speeding up the time your nails must soak to dissolve the product. An e-file is a small motorized nail tool with various drill bits that nail technicians use to perform manicures and pedicures. E-files reduce the amount of time it takes to prep and file your nails.
    • Always proceed with extreme caution when using an e-file. Because they work so quickly, it can be easy to cause painful damage to your natural nails if you aren’t careful.
    • Use a coarse 100-grit nail file or a 180-grit sanding band on your e-file.
    • Don’t use heavy pressure when filing. Light strokes with a coarse grit remove the top layer quickly. This is especially important when using an e-file.
    • Using too much pressure with an e-file can cause painful heat spikes or damage to your nails, so take your time and only remove a thin layer of product at a time.
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  3. The easiest way to soak off polygel nails is by pouring acetone into a glass bowl and soaking your nails in it for 10-15 minutes. To dissolve the polygel faster, soak a cotton ball with acetone and press it against your nail. Then, wrap a 3” x 3” square of aluminum foil around your finger to hold the cotton in place. Repeat on each nail, then wait 10-15 minutes. [2]
    • For extra secure wraps, use a set of nail clips to secure the aluminum.
  4. After soaking for about 10 minutes, gently scrape one of your nails with a cuticle pusher or orange stick. If the polygel comes off easily, scrape the product off your nails. [3] If it’s still too hard to remove without rough scraping, continue to soak in acetone for another 10 minutes before trying again. Repeat as many times as necessary until the polygel is soft.
    • Do not pick or peel hardened polygel (or any other type of nail polish), as this can remove the top layers of your nail, leading to dryness, peeling, and cracking. [4]
    • 100% acetone usually works more quickly than 90% acetone products, so you may need additional time when using the lower concentration.
    • Using aluminum foil to seal in heat helps dissolve the polygel more quickly.
  5. If there’s still polygel residue on your nails, use a medium or fine-grit nail file or 180-grit buffing block to lightly buff the nail clean. [5] Only buff your nails to remove any leftover residue, or you can damage your nails.
    • Over-buffing weakens your nails and can cause splits, breaks, or other damage.
  6. Acetone can dry out skin, cuticles, and nails. When you’ve removed the polygel product from your nails, give them a good wash with soap and warm water. After drying them off, apply cuticle oil and hand lotion to help restore moisture.
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Section 2 of 4:

Filing Off Polygel Nails

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  1. Use nail clippers to cut off the tips of the nails. Then, use a 100-grit nail file to remove as much of the polygel as possible. To speed up the process, use an e-file on low-to-medium speed with the coarse barrel bit that came with the e-file set . No matter which file you choose, use light strokes moving in one direction.
    • When using the e-file, be careful to remove only the polygel. Stop to check your progress often and leave a thin layer of product to avoid damaging your natural nails.
    • Avoid using the coarse bit on your natural nail, as it may cause damage.
    • Too much speed or pressure can cause heat spikes when using an e-file.
  2. Remove the final thin layer of polygel with a fine-grit buffing block or nail file. Using a nail file or buffing block with 180-280 grit makes it easier to remove the polygel without damaging your natural nails because it removes less product with each swipe. [6]
    • Use a brush to remove any excess powder created by filing.
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Section 3 of 4:

Caring for Your Nails After Removing Polygel

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  1. Use cuticle oil and hand cream daily to care for your nails between manicures. Regular manicures can dry out your nailbeds, cuticles, and the skin around your nails. Take a break every so often to help prevent splitting, cracking, and other damage. [7]
    • Replenishing lost moisture helps your nails grow stronger so you experience less breakage and splitting.
    • Apply cuticle oil before you soak your nails in acetone for an extra layer of protection.
  2. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to ensure your nails get plenty of nutrients. Take a daily biotin supplement and do weekly protein treatments to give brittle nails an extra strengthening boost. [8]
    • Apply a nail strengthener containing nylon fibers about once a week.
    • Always wear gloves when doing household chores like washing dishes and gardening to protect your nails.
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. The polygel product doesn’t harm your nails. However, improper application or removal can do some damage. Nails that are over-buffed or over-filed while preparing them for applying or removing the polygel product with a file can weaken the nail, making it thin or brittle. [9] Peeling the polygel off your fingernails also causes nail damage.
    • Always take extra care to protect your natural nails when applying and removing polygel at home.
  2. Some have found that warm water, with a squirt of dish soap and a drizzle of olive oil, can loosen polygel nails enough to remove them. This is usually only effective if your polygel is grown out and you’re already seeing some lifting of the product off the nail. [10]
    • This method may also cause damage to your nailbeds if you peel off the polygel.
  3. Rubbing alcohol will not remove cured polygel. However, isopropyl alcohol or slip solution, a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and acetone, prevents uncured polygel from sticking to the brush during application. Slip solution can also weaken the final polygel nail if too much of it mixes with the uncured product. [11]
  4. Polygel nails are stronger than gel polish and more flexible than acrylics, so they can withstand more wear and tear. This makes polygels an especially good choice for soft nails because their strength and durability protect the nail and prevent it from bending while it grows out. [12]
  5. Polygel manicures are lighter and more comfortable to wear than acrylic nails while offering similar durability. They also don’t have the strong odor associated with acrylic nails. Because they must be cured with a UV light to harden, nail techs have more time to create 3-dimensional designs. [13]
    • Polygels are easier to DIY than acrylic nails because you don’t have to mix the product to create your nails.
    • Filing and shaping polygels is quicker and easier than acrylics due to the product’s flexibility.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/HVuWGaOeKu4?t=23
      2. ↑ https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/04/13/how-to-remove-your-gel-manicure-while-stuck-at-home/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/t4aU6Nwa_VY?t=354
      4. ↑ https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/pick-off-gel-nails
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/t4aU6Nwa_VY?t=472
      6. ↑ https://nailexpertsuniversity.com/all-about-nail-files
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/reduce-artificial-nail-damage
      8. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8477615/
      9. ↑ https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/beauty-tips/beauty-trends/polygel-nails
      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/polygel-nails-7495791
      2. ↑ https://nailknowledge.org/nail-knowledge-base/understanding-the-difference-between-slip-solution-and-cleanser-for-polygel-nails
      3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nails/a38539542/polygel-nails/
      4. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/polygel-nails-7495791

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