Waiting around a week or two before trying to peel off the gel nails will reduce the damage done to your natural nails, since the gel will have had time to loosen and chip off. [2] X Research source
You can also use an orangewood stick instead of your fingernail to gently push the gel nail off.
Most nail files have a coarse side and a smooth side. The coarse side is best for shaping your nails. This side will look and feel a lot bumpier. For buffing the surface of the nail, use the smoother side of the file. [3] X Research source
If you nails are too thick to cut with a nail clipper, you can file the tips with the coarse grit side of your nail file until they are thin enough to clip off.
You may want to use a metal nail file for this step because it is stronger and able to file down the gel faster. If you file the nail too quickly or roughly, you may damage the natural nail underneath. [6] X Research source
You will know you are close to the natural nail when you notice the amount of dust is decreasing or you start to see the natural ridges of your nail
No matter how careful you are, filing off your gel nails will cause some damage to your natural nails, so don’t skip the buffing and conditioning.
Be sure the water is quite warm or it won’t loosen the gel polish. You may need to add more warm water if it gets cold while you are soaking your nails.
You can soak one hand at a time, or place both hands in the bowl at once.
If it doesn’t look like the soak has loosened the nails at all, you can repeat the soaking process once again, or go straight to filing or peeling them off.
If you choose to file off the gel nails after soaking, be sure that your nails are totally dry before you start. This will make the filing much easier.
