Did you know that most of the “damage” associated with gel polish manicures is often due to improper prep or removal? This can be easily avoided.

Never pick, peel, or chew off your gel!

At FNGA, we only stock soft gel products, which means they can be removed by either filing down or soaking off with acetone.

Some prefer the efficiency of e-filing and re-balancing to create their next manicure. However, e-files should only be used by those who are trained or experienced, as improper use can harm the nail bed. Remember to check the health of your natural nails every few weeks to keep them in optimal condition.

For soaking off soft gel, 100% acetone is essential. You can find acetone at most hardware stores, such as Bunnings. Regular nail polish remover won’t work effectively for this purpose.

1. Start by gently filing or buffing off the top coat with a 180-grit file. It's a good idea to wear a mask and/or use a dust extractor fan.

2. Soak a cotton ball or pad with acetone, and place it on the nail. For minimal skin exposure, you can cut the pads to size, as acetone can be drying.

3. Wrap each finger with foil to secure the acetone-soaked pad, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

4. Gently push off the softened gel with an orange stick or removal tool. Avoid rough scraping, as this can damage the natural nail. If the gel doesn’t lift easily, re-wrap and soak for another 5 minutes. Using a warm towel or wheat bag can help speed up the process.

5. Unwrap and scrape each nail one at a time, as the gel can re-harden when exposed to air.

Finish with a nourishing nail oil to rehydrate your nails. (Just remember to remove any oil with acetone, alcohol, or nail cleanser before applying a new set to ensure proper adhesion.)