How To Remove OPI Gel Polish

Are you obsessed with all OPI gel colors like we are? Who doesn’t love a shiny, glossy, and long-lasting manicure? Besides the perfect manicure, the OPI gel-color manicure is also the ultimate fashion statement that makes your nails pop and becomes the center of attention.

Suppose this is the first time you are using an OPI nail polish set for a beautiful DIY manicure. In that case, you might be wondering about the potential damage that OPI gel manicure can cause to the nails. While the OPI gel manicure application process is easy, one has to be careful about the removal process.

Before we dive into the simple yet mandatory OPI gel polish removal process, you should know that the potential damage to the nails is not caused by all OPI gel colors. Still, it has a lot to do with a failed removal process.

How To Remove OPI Gel Polish The Right Way

Step 1: Break The Seal Of The Nails

To remove the OPI gel polish, you must break the seal of each nail. We recommend using the 240-file of OPI EDGE to file your manicured nails’ free edge and sidewalls. Subsequently, use the Expert Touch Removal Wraps after saturating them with the Expert Touch Lacquer Remover.

After the pads have been fully saturated, proceed to wrap the pads over each fingernail. If you want to remove the OPI gel nail polish faster, we recommend placing the Expert Touch Salon Mitts over each of your hands. Afterward, cover each of your hands with a towel that will add to the heat. Allow your fingernails to soak in the remover for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Remove Mitts & Wraps

After the 15 minutes have passed, proceed to remove the mitts that were used to accelerate the OPI gel removal process. While removing the OPI removing wraps, use slight pressure and apply twisting motion. You will see that the OPI gel has been lifted if not fully removed.

Step 3: Push Off The OPI Gel Color

After having successfully removed the mitts and wraps, it is time to push off the all OPI gel colors. You will need a reusable cuticle stick for this task. Use gentle pressure while pushing off the lifted OPI gel color. Use an up-to-down motion to push the OPI gel color from the nail’s cuticle towards the free edge of the nails.

If you detect that there are still remains of the OPI gel polish on your nails, curb the urge of scraping your nail. If you chose to scrap your nails, you would only damage your nail bed, which will also cause chipped and brittle nails.

All you have to do is to rewrap your nails for another two to five minutes.

Step 4: Clean Your Nails

Now it is time to clean your nails. You can use nail wipes to remove residue from your nails. By following the above-mentioned OPI gel nail removal tips, you will notice that your nails appear drier, which is usually due to the acetone.

However, by following the steps and keeping yourself from scrapping your nails, you won’t see any white spots and nail unevenness. The presence of white spots and unevenness can be a vital sign of damaged and brittle nails.

What Mistakes To Avoid With OPI Gel Manicure?

For healthy and chipped-free nails, avoid getting OPI gel manicures back-to-back. The OPI gel removal process can cause some wear and tear, which is why you need to pause your manicures. Your nail plates are at the risk of getting suffocated if you get your nails done after every two weeks.

OPI gel polish can be worn for two to three weeks without causing chipped nails. However, to avoid brittle nails, nail technicians suggest removing gel manicures after two weeks maximum. If you make the mistake of over-extending your OPI gel manicure, it will lead to weak and brittle nails.

An overextended OPI gel manicure can also induce harmful bacteria, especially once the gel starts to lift from the nails. You might also be tempted to pick on the gel and try removing the OPI gel by scraping it off. By doing so, however, you will only damage your nails.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, this is how you can safely remove the OPI gel polish without damaging your nails. If this is the first time you have manicured your nails while using an kit OPI gel, you can always seek the services of a nail technician who will ensure that no damage is done to your nails. Don’t forget to rub some cuticle oil on your nails after you have successfully removed your gel polish manicure. Also, use a good handcreme afterward.