Gel polish, popularly referred to as shellac, has become widespread. The cost of materials and equipment for gel manicure is not so high, so many girls tend to master all the tricks on their own. This is greatly facilitated by the abundance of training videos, and a large number of courses that can be taken even remotely.
But unfortunately, many beginners make the same mistakes. Our article will talk about an important point, which often raises many questions from inexperienced craftswomen. The problem of self-removal of gel coatings is sometimes faced by those women who do manicures in the salon.
So, let's talk about how to remove shellac at home, what rules to follow, what materials and tools to use, and what to avoid.
How is the withdrawal in the salon
First, consider how to remove gelcoatings by professional craftsmen. In modern salons, as a rule, hardware removal is practiced. The master gently draws a special cutter over the surface of the client's nail, which is usually called "corn". It has corrugated notches and protrusions in the form of rhombuses. These cutters are made of ceramic, steel or carbide.
The advantage of the method is that professional devices are equipped with a reverse, so that the cutter can rotate in any direction. "Corn" gently lifts the material, removing only its upper layers. The base coat can be completely left on the nail.
This method of removal is considered the safest and least traumatic of all currently existing.
Of course, not every woman thinking about how to remove shellac at home has a professional device in her arsenal. But if you understand the principle by which specialists work, you can achieve good results using other means.
Let's consider how to remove shellac at home in order to minimally injure nails.
Hardware removal of gel coatings at home
A professional device can cost several thousand rubles, and working with it will require considerable skill. It can be extremely difficult for a beginner to cope with a cutter rotating at high speed (up to 40 thousand revolutions per minute). A good alternative would be a device designed for home use.
Usually such a device is a cylindrical handle with a small low-power motor inside. On some models, cutters can be easily changed.
The cost of such a device can be from 100 to 800 rubles. But it is advisable to replenish the set of regular cutters with a good ceramic “corn”.
With the help of such a device it is difficult to get hurt, because with strong pressure, the cutter will simply stop rotating due to the low engine power. The disadvantage is the lack of reverse (that is, the cutter can only rotate in one direction).
How to remove shellac at home on your own using such a device? Start with your left hand if you're right-handed to get a little familiar. Run the cutter along the surface of the varnish, being careful not to touch the side rollers and cuticles. Do not expect great speed, there is a long work ahead. Keep track of which layer is being removed. The base coat can be left as long as it holds well.
Removal with special fluids and clips
There is another effective way that is widely practiced by home craftsmen. It will require a set of special clips of at least five pieces, a pusher or an orange stick, cotton pads and a special tool with acetone.
Cut each cotton pad into 4 pieces and soak them well with acetone. Press the triangular piece against the nail, taking care to minimize skin contact. Install the clip on top.
You can soak all 10 nails if it suits you, or treat your hands one at a time.
The product should be in contact with the varnish for at least 15 minutes. Usuallythis time is enough for the shellac to peel off the nail.
Remove the clips one at a time, otherwise while you are working on one nail, the varnish on the others may harden again. Use a pusher or an orange stick to move the soaked shellac, completely removing it from the nail. At the very end, wipe your nails with a clinser.
If, before removing shellac from nails at home using this method, you walk over the surface with a nail file with a large abrasive, things will go faster.
Using foil
This method is similar to the previous one, but it does not require special clamps.
To remove shellac with foil at home, you will need the same product with acetone, cotton pads and a pusher.
Cut the cotton pad so that the pieces fit the size of the nails. Soak a cloth in nail polish remover and place on the nail. Cut the foil into 10 cm squares and wrap around each nail. Try to compress the edges of the foil as best as possible so that air does not penetrate under it.
Leave the product on the nails for at least 15 minutes, and then remove the remaining coating with a pusher.
The advantages of the two methods described above include a relatively low price and ease of use. But prolonged contact of the skin surrounding the nail with acetone is a clear argument against.
Disposable wipes
Not so long ago, with the light hand of Korean manufacturers, disposable wipes became widespread. They are produced in individual packaging each and are intended forsingle use. The material is already impregnated with a special agent that softens shellac.
True, reviews of this product are mixed. Many who have tried share negative impressions about the pungent smell and not too good result. According to many women, even 15 minutes is not enough time for the coating to begin to peel off.
But still, if you have a difficult question about how to remove shellac at home, there are no suitable funds, and significant expenses are not expected, this option can be called the most budgetary. It is enough to purchase 10 napkins and one orange stick.
Can I use a file
This method is one of the most aggressive, but unfortunately it is quite common. Technically, cutting off the gel layer does not differ from hardware removal. But the process requires virtuoso possession of the file. It is worth making a couple of careless movements - cuts and cuticle injuries cannot be avoided.
If you urgently need to get rid of the coating, but no other methods are available, you can also use a file. True, not everyone will do.
Pay attention to the grits. This is a unit of measure for the hardness of an abrasive. The smaller the grit, the harder the file. It is better not to use a tool with a hardness below 180 grit for natural nails.
Before removing shellac at home, do not wet your nails. The best option might be a double-sided file, one surface of which has a hardness of 100 grit, and the second 180. Start by saying thatgo over the surface of the nails with a more abrasive side to destroy the structure of the coating. In no case do not go to the side surfaces. Flip the saw over and finish the job by carefully working in one direction.
We emphasize again: this method is one of the roughest. But if there are no alternatives, it can be applied. Get ready for the fact that the process will not be fast.
Removal of extended nails
If you plan to master the extension technique, even before starting work, think about how you will make a correction and get rid of the length. It is impossible to soak the gel in an acetone-containing liquid (and even in pure acetone)! Foil and clips will be powerless here.
To get rid of extended nails is possible only with the help of powerful nippers and filing. It is extremely difficult to do this at home: a non-professional pen device simply does not have enough power, and you will have to work with a file for a long time with each nail, which increases the risk of cuts and injuries even more.
Please also note that if you cut off the free edge with wire cutters, it can fly off at great speed in any direction. It is also fraught with eye injuries.
Perhaps you should ask a specialist for help? Any salon provides a removal service without subsequent extension or coating. Moreover, the price of such a procedure is relatively low.
What not to do
We mentioned that a file is not the best friend when it comes to how to quickly remove shellac at home. But there is a worse way.
Let's consider what to doabsolutely not worth it. We are talking about chipping and tearing off the varnish with the help of improvised means. The fact is that with such an impact, the nail plate is injured so badly that it will require subsequent recovery. Particles of gel coatings adhere to the scales of a natural nail and, when torn off, tear them out and drag them along. The surface is covered with bumps, chips, cracks.
It is with this method that the common stereotype that gel manicure spoils nails is associated. Actually it is not. Only incorrect removal and inept work with the tool has a negative impact.
Consequences of improper withdrawal
Before you try to get rid of a boring manicure yourself, evaluate the risks. What are the consequences of inept manipulation?
- Allergic reactions to acetone and other components of the remover.
- Overdrying of the skin, cracking of the cuticle.
- Cuts that deform the surface.
- Mechanical damage to the skin with a file.
- Weakening of the nail plates, thinning, growth retardation.
Is it possible to remove shellac at home without harm to he alth? It is possible, but it is necessary to carefully select high-quality tools and tools, and carry out the entire procedure as carefully as possible.
After treatment
Before removing shellac at home, and after the procedure, disinfect all tools used. If no one else uses it, rinsing in running water and soaking in disinfectant is sufficient.
After coating, wipe your nails with a clinser. Liquids containing alcohol are harmful to nails and skin and should not be used.
Lubricate the skin around the nail bed with special oil, and if not, at least with nourishing hand cream. Well strengthens nails rubbing and baths with lemon juice. You can also use pharmacy series designed for hand care.
