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Methods of Product Removal

Having our nails done makes us feel amazing and gives us that extra boost of confidence we didn’t know we needed. What isn’t so great however is removing them, whether your client is wanting a break or moving over to a different system it is always advised that enhancements are removed correctly and safely.

Here we have compiled a “How to” guide on the correct product removal process. 

Acrylic Nails

How long does it take to remove a set of acrylic nails?

Acrylic nails can be difficult to budge but with the right tools and knowledge you can safely remove a set of acrylics in 30-40 minutes.

What products do I need to remove a set of acrylic nails?

We advise that a qualified nail technician should remove a set of acrylic nails so this can be done safely and will not pose a risk to anyone.

How do I remove acrylic nails?

There are a few different ways to remove acrylic nails, we will cover 2 methods using a soak off bowl and also using soak off wraps.

EasySoak Nail Bath – Soak off method

Note - If the nails you will be soaking off are long you may want to cut them down with some tip cutters before you start.

  1. Remove the topcoat from each nail using a 180gt file, ensure there is no topcoat present on any of the nails.
  2. Remove the plug and fill your EasySoak Nail Bath with warm water.

Fill the finger holes of your EasySoak Nail Bath with acetone (don’t overuse your acetone, only fill the holes ensuring the acetone will cover the full nail).

  1. Pop your clients fingers into the acetone and replace the plastic cover.
  2. Wait 30 minutes.
  3. Remove the plastic cover and take your clients hands from the bowl, using your orangewood stick check if the acrylic is starting to soften.
  4. Once the acrylic has started to soften take your 100gt file and start to etch over the nail (return to the acetone if you get to a point on the nail where it is not as soft as the top was, soak for a further 10 minutes)
  5. Remove from the bowl and etch again over the nail with your 100gt file, as you are working your way through the acrylic product and are getting nearer to the natural nail switch to a less harsher grit file such as a 150gt or a 180gt. Repeat the etching process until all the acrylic has been removed from the nail. Remember to be gentle on the approach and stop filing immediately as soon as you get to the natural nail.
  6. Remove any dust using an NSI Lush Brush.
  7. Apply NSI Nurture Oil to the cuticle and rub generously into the skin and the nail surface – repeat on all fingers.

Soak Off Remover Wraps – Removal method

Note - If the nails you will be removing are long you may want to cut them down with some tip cutters before you start.

  1. Remove the topcoat from each nail using a 180gt file, ensure there is no topcoat present on any of the nails.
  2. Taking your Foil Wraps apply acetone to the built in cotton pad.
  3. Apply the cotton pad part of the wrap to the acrylic nail securing it with the foil part of the wrap.
  4. Leave for 30 minutes
  5. Unwrap one of the foil wraps and using your Orangewood Cuticle Stick check if the acrylic has started to soften.
  6. Once the acrylic has started to soften take your 100gt file and start to etch over the nail (re-wet the cotton pad and return the wrap to the nail if you get to a point where the acrylic is not as soft as the top was, leave for a further 10 minutes).
  7. Remove wrap and etch again over the nail with your 100gt file, as you are working your way through the acrylic product and are getting nearer to the natural nail switch to a less harsher grit file such as a 150gt or a 180gt. Repeat the etching process until all the acrylic has been removed from the nail. Remember to be gentle on the approach and stop filing immediately as soon as you get to the natural nail.
  8. Remove any dust using an NSI Lush Brush.
  9. Apply NSI Nurture Oil to the cuticle and rub generously into the skin and the nail surface – repeat on all fingers.

Hard Gel 

How long does it take to remove a set of Hard Gel nails?

Hard Gel nails can take up to 10 minutes per nail to remove.

What products do I need to remove Hard Gel nails?

We would advise using an e-file to remove Hard Gel nails as this type of gel cannot be soaked off, the only way to remove this product is to file it off, It can be done with a hand file but this can take some time.

How do I remove Hard Gel nails?

Note - If the nails you will be removing are long you may want to cut them down with some tip cutters before you start.

  1. Starting with a cuticle bit carefully start to thin down the hard gel system around the cuticles and side walls – remember to move around the nail safely and do not keep the e-file in 1 spot for too long – this can cause uncomfortable heat for your client and potentially harm the natural nail.
  2. Switch your drill bit to a barrel bit and now concentrate on the body of the nail remembering to sweep evenly over the structure, again never staying in one place for too long.
  3. As you get down to a thin level of hard gel it’s now time to switch to a hand file.
  4. Taking your 180gt file sweep over the nail to remove any remaining gel that is left.
  5. Switch to your buffer and very gently buff the natural nail to ensure all the gel is removed.
  6. Apply NSI Nurture Oil to the cuticle and rub generously into the skin and the nail surface – repeat on all fingers. 

Gel Polish

How long does it take to remove a set of Gel Polish nails?

There are a few methods to remove Gel Polish on natural nails

  • Soak-off in a EasySoak Nail Bath and they will literally pop off in around 15 minutes.
  • Use Soak-off Foil Wraps and this will take around 15 minutes
  • File/buff off, this will take around 20 minutes

EasySoak Nail Bath 

  1. Remove the topcoat from each nail using a 180gt file, ensure there is no topcoat present on any of the nails.
  2. Remove the plug and fill your EasySoak Nail Bath with warm water.
  3. Fill the finger holes of your EasySoak Nail Bath with acetone (don’t overuse your acetone, only fill the holes ensuring the acetone will cover the full nail).
  4. Pop your clients fingers into the acetone and replace the plastic cover.
  5. Wait 15 minutes.
  6. Remove the plastic cover and take your clients hands from the bowl, the gel polish would have either already popped off in the bath or if not using your orangewood cuticle stick tease the gel polish from the natural nail, this does not need to be done with any force and just needs a gentle scrap with the cuticle stick and the gel polish should come away very easily.
  7. Take a 240gt buffer and lightly buff the nail.
  8. Apply NSI Nurture Oil to the cuticle and rub generously into the skin and the nail surface – repeat on all fingers.

Soak-off Foil Wraps

  1. Remove the topcoat from each nail using a 180gt file, ensure there is no topcoat present on any of the nails.
  2. Taking your Foil Wraps apply acetone to the built in cotton pad.
  3. Apply the cotton pad part of the wrap to the gel polished nail securing it with the foil part of the wrap.
  4. Wait 15 minutes.
  5. Remove the wrap and the gel polish would have either already popped off in the foil wrap or if not using your orangewood cuticle stick tease the gel polish from the natural nail, this does not need to be done with any force and just needs a gentle scrap with the cuticle stick and the gel polish should come away very easily.
  6. Take a 240gt buffer and lightly buff the nail.
  7. Apply NSI Nurture Oil to the cuticle and rub generously into the skin and the nail surface – repeat on all fingers. 

Builder Gel in a Bottle (Soft Gel)

How long does it take to remove a set of Soft Gel nails?

Soft Gel can be soaked off or filed off and can take 15-20 minutes (depending on how high of an apex has been built) to be soaked off or it can take up to 5 minutes per nail to be filed off.

What products do I need to remove soft gels?

Depending on which method you decide to undertake (soaking or filing) the list of products are listed below 

 EasySoak Nail Bath

  1. Remove the topcoat from each nail using a 180gt file, ensure there is no topcoat present on any of the nails.
  2. Remove the plug and fill your EasySoak Nail Bath with warm water.
  3. Fill the finger holes of your EasySoak Nail Bath with acetone (don’t overuse your acetone, only fill the holes ensuring the acetone will cover the full nail).
  4. Pop your clients fingers into the acetone and replace the plastic cover.
  5. Wait 15 minutes.
  6. Remove the plastic cover and take your clients hands from the bowl, using your orangewood cuticle stick tease the soft gel polish from the natural nail, this does not need to be done with any force and just needs a gentle scrap with the cuticle stick and the soft gel should come away easily.
  7. If the soft gel is not soft enough yet replace into the acetone for a further 5-10 minutes.
  8. Take a 240gt buffer and lightly buff the nail ensuring there is no product left on the nail.
  9. Apply NSI Nurture Oil to the cuticle and rub generously into the skin and the nail surface – repeat on all fingers.

Soak-off Foil Wraps

  1. Remove the topcoat from each nail using a 180gt file, ensure there is no topcoat present on any of the nails.
  2. Taking your Foil Wraps apply acetone to the built in cotton pad.
  3. Apply the cotton pad part of the wrap to the soft gel nail securing it with the foil part of the wrap.
  4. Wait 15 minutes.
  5. Remove the wrap and using your orangewood cuticle stick tease the soft gel from the natural nail, this does not need to be done with any force and just needs a gentle scrap with the cuticle stick and the soft gel should come away easily.
  6. If the soft gel is not soft enough yet apply more acetone to the wrap and replace for a further 5-10 minutes.
  7. Take a 240gt buffer and lightly buff the nail ensuring there is no product left on the nail.
  8. Apply NSI Nurture Oil to the cuticle and rub generously into the skin and the nail surface – repeat on all fingers.

Whichever is your preferred method, remember a professional service is always the best and safest option.

Remove with confidence, remove with NSI!

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