Now for the step that will test your patience. 'You know you've removed enough of the topcoat when the color fades and finish becomes dull.' Be careful not to file off all of your lingering polish as doing so can also cause nail damage. 'I recommend using a medium 180 grit file to gently remove as much of the top coat as you can,' Kandalec adds. If you want to take the entire manicure off completely, start by carefully filing away just the top coat seal. Tuttle notes that if one nail breaks or chips, file it down to a shape that you want and to leave it alone after if you can. First, you're going to want to grab a fresh nail file. File Awayĭon't overthink it: The process of removing gel polish at home looks almost exactly the same as how it goes as the salon. But while the satisfaction of a freeing your hands from a worn-in look only lasts mere moments, the possible damage you can inflict on your nails could take weeks to repair. We know it can be tempting to pick and peel off your gel polish once it starts looking worn. View full post on Instagram How to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home And since these manicures are long-lasting, you can also cut down on the number of visits you make to your local nail salon-which may eventually lead to getting more bang for your buck. While regular manicures typically don't make it past a week without a few chips, gel manicures are built to last, as they're cured and hardened under an LED light to avoid chipping. With a just couple key tools and a little patience, you’ll have stronger, healthy nails in no time-without having to sacrifice your favorite gel look. To make the removal process a total breeze, we've tapped top nail experts like Sarah Gibson Tuttle, CEO and founder of nail brand Olive & June, and celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec, for pro-tips on how to remove gel polish safely and easily from the comfort of home.

Your best bet? Take it all off as soon as possible. Weight imbalances between existing polish and your natural nails can ultimately leave them with lifted, jagged edges, and feeling more frail and damaged than ever.

Aside from polish grow out simply looking unsightly, keeping old gel on for too long can strain the health of your natural nails. If you haven't taken a trip to your local nail salon in a few weeks, we're betting your sturdy gel manicure is probably in dire need of a refresh.

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