Women love gel nail polish and semi-permanent manicures because they can create colorful, elegant, and always glamorous nail designs lasting two to three weeks. Shiny and chic gel nails look great when applied, and they can elevate a look and make the hands look slender.
However, after three weeks, the natural nails below the gel polish have grown, and the gel manicure has to be removed. If some customers usually go to a salon to do so, many others decide to do it at home to save some money. For this reason, they need to acquire all the required tools from specialized stores.
Below is a list of the steps and equipment women buy from stores to remove gel nail polish so that suppliers know what they need to fulfill the high demand.
Table of Contents
The trend of gel nail polish
How to remove gel nail polish
1. Protect skin and hands
2. Filing the nail polish
3. Bringing in acetone
4. How to remove gel nail polish
Final thoughts
The trend of gel nail polish
While regular polish won’t last a week without chipping, gel manicures are made to last, as they are cured and hardened under UV light to prevent fingernail designs and accessories from chipping. Some professional manicures can last up to a month.
Women love gel nail polish over regular nail polish because it’s beautiful and long-lasting, which can also reduce the frequency of manicures and save them money.
These main advantages drive the trend of gel and semi-permanent polish. According to the Business Research Company, the nail polish market has grown to 14.48 USD billion in 2024 and features a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% that will take it to 22.47 USD billion in 2028.
However, gel polish can weaken your nails and cause nail damage when applied too frequently. Professionals and even the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommend taking a break between applications or using specific products to care for the skin, fingers, nail beds, and nails to avoid unnecessary damage.
That also leads to the flourishing of online and brick-and-mortar stores specialized in nail products that can leverage the high demand for nail design and care products to drive sales.
How to remove gel nail polish
Most professional nail salons apply cotton balls soaked in acetone directly to their customers’ nails and wrap them in aluminum foil to quickly remove gel polish. If the remaining polish is not easily removable after 10 minutes, professional tools, such as a nail drill, can be used for a clean finish.
To obtain the same professional result at home, customers must buy different products and tools and take additional steps.
1. Protect skin and hands
Since customers will be soaking their nails in acetone, they must protect the skin around the nail beforehand. They must apply a thick protective layer using nail strengtheners, cuticle oils or creams, or even Vaseline to do so.
These products will help keep their hands healthy and focus the effects of acetone only on the gel nail polish.
2. Filing the nail polish
Once the skin is protected, the first step is to remove the gel nail polish and file it using a 100/180 grit coarse nail file that ensures easy and fast removal. That will weaken the top layer of the product to help the acetone penetrate.
The important thing is to proceed gently, without rubbing or applying too much pressure; it’s important to file only the polish, not the nail, to avoid creating damage.
3. Bringing in acetone
Now, customers will dip a cotton ball or a cotton pad directly into the acetone and place it over the nail. For this to work, they need to buy 100% pure acetone, not the traditional nail polish remover, which does contain acetone but is highly diluted.
To fix the cotton ball firmly onto the nail, many use aluminum foil or tin foil to create a sort of protective layer that keeps it in place and, at the same time, allows them to use their hands for other tasks. The acetone should sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. How to remove gel nail polish
Now it’s time to remove the remaining polish with a cotton bud or a pad, gently scraping the polish from the cuticle towards the tip of the nail. If the polish doesn’t come off, some people apply more gel nail polish remover or use a professional cuticle stick to scratch it without damaging the nail.
Alternatively, other customers like to apply a hot towel and let the heat loosen the remaining nail polish, which is the best way to avoid scratching the nail too deeply.
Final thoughts
Retailers can capitalize on the growing demand for gel polish removers by offering complete tools and kits purchased from Alibaba.com.
Following this step-by-step guide and offering quality solutions, stores, and suppliers will provide customers with everything they need to remove gel polish safely and effectively. Investing in these items will allow you to meet the needs of salons, professionals, and end consumers while maximizing sales opportunities.
