How To Remove Polygel Nails- Most Compelling Ways To Do So

by Zahid Mehmood

Polygel nails are the new trendy thing launched in the makeup industry. These nails have outstanding features and look. Nail enthusiasts know how beautiful polygel nails look over natural nails with the use of hardly a few tools and applicators. 

The polygel nail kit have some of their exclusive features and extract a tiny portion from the acrylic nails. The application of the polygel nails is effortless. Their removal is also pretty easy to do so but try using professional help until you are experienced enough to know how to remove these from the nails.

What Are Polygel Nails?

Polygel is more of a putty material present in Gel form. Polygel comes in a tube that has to be squeezed out to pour some of the putty-like gel over the nail structure. It is not complicated like acrylic but consists of acrylic powder and photoinitiators that work well with an LED light source for curing. One of the best features ever reported with Polygel is that it stays in the position you poured out of the tube. 

They do not get hardened or melt away. It stays intact until you spread it evenly over the nail and the cuticle and cure it with an LED light source for 40 to 60 seconds, to be exact. Later you use a nail filer to shape and carve the nail structure in your favorite shape to have an enhancing and appealing look.

There are certainly a few ways to take these nails off the natural nail structure but avoid doing it yourself since it requires a little practice. Well, if you have experience and have managed to remove these off previously, you can give it a try to avoid visiting the parlour.

How To Remove The Polygel Nails?

After having a little information about what precisely the polygel nails are coming from, the primary topic we are here to discuss is how to remove the polygel nails.

First comes the Acetone-free methods for this process; you will need specific components that are as follows.

  • A nail cutter for cutting the nails, of course
  • A small grit or e-file nail for ease
  • Another 180 e-file grit
  • Next, you will need two buffing cubes. Typically one cube is used precisely for smoothing out the nail's surface, while the other is used precisely for polishing the nail surface. You can also purchase a professional cube that serves both purposes
  • Lastly, you must have cuticle oil with you.

The procedure involved in doing so is as follows

Step Number 1

The first step involved is to remove the outgrown nails with the help of a nail cutter. It is essential because it will help you to remove the polygel nails further conveniently. If you want to keep the nails as delicate and as long you like, you can cut the polygel extensions with the nail cutter. And this will allow you further exposure.

Step Number 2

As stated above, you will need a small grit, let's say 120 grit e-file, to do this step. You are required to take the polygel from the nails with the help of the small grit e-file. Make sure the speed of the file is low, and you don't peel the natural layers of your nails. You can also keep some of the polygel over the nail surface and remove it in the next step.

Step Number 3

The next step is to get rid of the remaining polygel present over the nails, and in this case, you will require 180 grit to get the job done quickly. But be calm and pleasant to your nails, and don't take the natural cover of the nails out.

Step Number 4

Now we have to use the buff cubes to complete the next step. The cube has two parts, one for smoothing and the other for polishing. Once you get done with the filing, many imperfections are seen; therefore, we will require the cubes to smooth it out and polish them.

Step Number 5

Now hydrate the nails, and for this, you will need Cuticle Oil to get done with the task done. Apply the oil over the nails and smooth it out with cubes gently.

Wrapping method

For the wrapping method, you will require the following:

  • A cuticle pusher
  • Of course, a nail file for removing
  • Some cotton balls for wiping the excess polygel
  • Small pieces of the aluminium sheet
  • Use of acetone in this step

The procedure to do so:

Step Number 1

The first step is to cut off the extra length of the nails for ease and comfort. If not interested, you can trim the polygel extensions.

Step Number 2

Well, if you have to trim the polygel extensions, you don't need to be doing that, but if not, you have to cut the seal tips of your fingers and use the help of buff cubes to create a dirty look which will help a lot in removing the polygel extra layers efficiently.

Step Number 3

Use cotton and make small cotton rolls out of it and dip each into the acetone solution and cover the nails with it. And do the procedure to avoid spilling a lot of acetone.

Step Number 4

It involves wrapping with an aluminium sheet. We cut them into small pieces and cover the aluminium sheet over the soaked cotton rolls over the nail surface and let it be wrapped for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step Number 5

The acetone soaked in cotton and placed over the nails allows the polygel to loosen up itself. The polygel will be peeled easily, and with the use of a cuticle pusher, you can scrape it quickly to get rid of the polygel.

Step Number 6

It is to use cube buffs for smoothing and polishing. Use both ways to get the job done once all polygel is removed.

 

Electric nail drills

The electric nail drills are life-saving and reduce a lot of effort and time when used. The electric drills are commonly found in the parlours, but if you are regular to do your nails at home, you can opt for one and get used to it. The electric nail drills can also remove the polygel or gel nails apart from preparing and shaping nails. The procedure is similar to the acetone-free polygel nail removal.

Here is the procedure for doing so.

The first step is pretty much the same for all three procedures. In the first step, you got to remove the nail extensions with the help of a nail cutter. The next step is to make use of the nail filer, the electric drill. But make sure you use a low-speed electric grater to file the nails to remove the polygel nails. 

By keeping the speed slow, the natural layers of the nail are not removed off, and the natural contours of the nail remain safe and sound. The next step is to make use of nail buffer. There is a professional nail buffer available that serves two solid purposes for your nails. 

First, the nail buffer has a smoothing portion through which you can rub it over the nail surface and smooth out the imperfections or bumpiness of your nails. The next part is more of a polisher used to polish the nail surface to add shine to the nails once the polygel is removed from the nails. 

Next, add some cuticle oil over the nails and use your hand moisture to feel nice and smooth. The procedure is similar to the above listed and described. You can try these methods at home if you are sure how to use the tools.

10 Things You Need To Know About Polygel Nails

  1. The polygel nails are done with the use of a liquid which is commonly called the slip. The slip is not at all related to the monomer because it has no direct association with any active ingredient. The name was given because of its association with clay. The slip has a very refreshing and dim fragrance, and its primary purpose is to keep the polygel in shape when used.
  2. Another cool thing to know is that polygel is self-levelling, which means once poured out of the tube, the polygel stays intact in its place and does not harden up until you have used LED light source.
  3. The time for curing is also pretty convenient. When you are using a led light source, it is hardly 30 seconds, but with UV light, it might take a minute or so, and after curing, there is no tacky layer found ever.
  4. Polygel shows no signs of heat spikes, and it is more flexible, durable, and strong as compared to the rest of the alternatives. But the use of polygel is more appreciated as compared to acrylic or gel types that are available
  5. The polygel is more of an overlay applied over a natural tooth but not necessary as you can use it over a nail form and place it over the nails.
  6. You can use polygel in many different colours, such as natural, bright, white, or soft pink. Whatever colour you chose, remember you have to cure it separately so that it lasts long.
  7. When you have applied the polygel over the natural nail, you can mix and add gel-like material on top to make designs to make it more appealing and eye-catchy. And it looks super natural and lovely.
  8. The polygel nails can be shaped and carved with the help of both an electric nail drill and filer or a simple filer. Both are convenient, but of course, with an electric filer, you can save time and efficiency. The process of adding these to the natural nail is simple and explained above in detail as well.
  9. The removal of polygel nails is simple and not time-consuming. You can do the removal with or without acetone or with the use of filers to get rid of them.
  10. The polygel nails are refilled around the cuticle for maintenance and require no replacement as these can be used for 3 to 4 weeks.

The Pros And Cons Of Polygel Nails

The polygel requires a mixture of acrylic powder with a gel-like substance cured and applied over the natural nails.

  • PROS
  1. The polygel nails are strong and durable
  2. These are flexible and are far better than the acrylic nails
  3. The polygel nails are odourless, and the slip solution used is available in a very light fragrance.
  4. The overall procedure involved in polygel nails is challenging for half an hour depending on the procedure used
  5. Cost is around 100 dollars
  6. The nails are comfortable and are very light to be worn
  7. The polygel nails are easily refilled and do not require replacement.
  • CONS
  1. They can cause heat spikes when you are not using the treatment correctly or doing the whole procedure at home. Well, if you are curing with a lot of time, you can expect it to cause uncomfortable heat spikes.
  2. The cost can be high depending on the procedure and, of course, from where you are getting your nails done. Apart from these, no cons are reported as these are comfortable.

How Long Do These Last?

The overall time frame is 3 or 4 weeks, as stated above. But after that, no replacement is needed as you can refill these around the cuticle area and enjoy the nails for another four weeks. If broken due to rough use, you must replace these to avoid damage or pain. The whole process will be repeated, and you can cure and smooth these out with the protocols used and make sure you are using professional help because otherwise, there are chances of heat spikes or mismanagement.

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