Maybe the salon is closed. Perhaps you're in the mood to change up your manicure in the middle of the night. There are many reasons why you might want to know how to remove polygel nail extensions. The best answer is to have a professional remove them. But it is possible to take off polygel at home. Long story short: it requires patience and a few supplies. Let’s talk about how to do it.
Tools Needed for Polygel Removal
To remove polygel nail extensions, you’ll need:
- Acetone, cotton balls, and foil
- or acetone-saturated wraps
- 80 to 100-grit nail file or
- a nail drill with a coarse ceramic or carbide bit
- sharp clippers if you want to trim the free edge without a nail drill
As you can see, you don’t need a lot of supplies to get rid of polygel nail extensions. However, you do need to be careful to not damage your natural nails.
Moreover, if you use a nail drill, it’s a good idea to have a dust collector or to wear a dust mask. Polygel makes a lot of dust when it’s filed.
Steps for Polygel Removal
The first thing to do is to pick up the file or nail drill and grind down the polish and polygel until only a thin layer is left.
File off the Polish and Most of the Polygel
Begin by clipping off the tips. However, this is risky as it may cause cracking. You’ll need sharp clippers for the best results.
A better option is to use a nail drill to remove the ends of the nails. Then grind down the polish and poly gel layers on top of the nail. We’d like to recommend our favorite e-file:
Lavis Nail Drill
This powerful little drill is a joy to use. It has a quiet brushless motor that provides long battery life (for up to ten hours). The wand is vibration-free and easy to control. That’s one of the reasons why both pros and beginners love it.
Furthermore, it’s simple to adjust the speed and switch between forward and reverse when you change hands.
It comes in seven pretty colors, all of which are acetone-resistant.
Work from the cuticle toward the nail tip. Never saw back and forth – move in one direction only. Hold the file or nail drill bit at a low angle and be aware of how much pressure you’re using.
Since polygel is transparent, keep a close eye on how much is left so that you don’t abrade the natural nail.
We recommend leaving a thin layer as it won’t harm the nails. Rather, Polygel reinforces the natural nails. When the nails grow out, the polygel can be filled in near the cuticle.
But if you want it completely gone, you’ll need to soak the nails.
Soak the Nails in Acetone
When there’s only a thin layer of poly gel left, it’s time to soak the nails in acetone for 15 to 30 minutes. The most efficient way to do this is to wrap the tips instead of dipping the fingers into the liquid.
Soak cotton pads or balls in acetone and place them on top of the nail. Then tightly wrap the tips in aluminum foil or use premade polish removal wraps.
You can protect your skin from dehydration by coating it with Vaseline or cuticle oil before using the acetone.
After 15 minutes, unwrap one finger. Use an orange stick or cuticle pusher to test the polygel. If it’s soft, gently push it off the nails and wipe off the residue.
Finish with Cuticle Oil and Hand Cream
After all this hard work, give your hands a treat. Moisturize the nails with cuticle oil and apply moisturizer.
How Long Do Polygel Manicures Last?
Depending on how much you use your hands, a polygel manicure lasts up to 4 weeks. By that point, you’ll need to get the nails filled or remove the polygel.
Can You Remove Poly Gel Nail Extensions Without Acetone?
So, here’s the secret: polygel isn’t completely impervious to damage, which is why you might be able to remove it without soaking in acetone. Polygel removal hacks (on TikTok) say that soaking your hands in warm water with a tablespoon of oil and a drop of soap will help you scrape polygel off your nails. We haven’t tried it, so we can’t vouch for it. We suspect that it won't work on new manicures but maybe one that's a few weeks old.
Can You Use Nail Polish Remover for Polygel?
If the nail polish remover is at least 90% acetone, it will soften the polygel after you’ve filed it down.
Can Polygel Harm Your Nails?
No, polygel is just plastic. It won’t harm your nails. What’s more, it’s odorless and free of harsh chemicals. The damage happens if it’s removed improperly.
Since polygel is basically inert, feel free to leave it on your nails. If you trim off the extensions, be careful not to crack the finish or you'll have to remove it anyway.
Is It Okay to Peel off Polygel?
Please don’t peel off polygel or acrylics or other nail enhancements. Chances are that you’ll damage the natural nails and those take a long time to grow out.
The only time it’s safe to peel off polygel is when it’s already softened after you’ve filed it down and it’s been soaking in acetone.
What Is Polygel?
Gelish invented PolyGel, a hybrid formula that blends the best parts of acrylics with hard gels. (Sometimes it’s called Acrygel.) It's lighter and stronger than either of the other products. Plus, it's thick like putty and easy to sculpt.
To apply it, you'll need primer, forms, a spatula, a top coat, and a nail lamp to cure it.
Conclusion
We hope these tips help you to remove poly gel nail extensions successfully. If you need to stock up on nail care products, check out our deals page. Also, we offer free shipping on orders over $100.