How to remove shellac from nails, what methods for removing shellac coatings exist, and whether it can be removed at home, you will learn from the article.
Each girl is familiar with such a novelty of manicure as shellac coating. Shellac is an innovative nail polish that has the properties of a gel. A durable nail polish developed by an American company is popular all over the world. Compared to regular varnish, shellac lasts longer on nails, on average about three weeks.
The distinctive features of shellac coating are that the application occurs without cutting the top layer of the nail. At the same time, special technology with the use of an ultraviolet lamp and professional means (base and top) is respected.
Shellac gives the master incredible scope for design. Drawings, sparkles, rhinestones and other decorative elements, the effect of broken glass, classic or colored jacket - all this can decorate shellac-coated nails. The procedure is more in demand than manicure with ordinary varnish and building. Unlike building, shellac acts as a more gentle option, less damages the nail plate, and is not inferior in terms of effectiveness.
The main advantage of shellac manicure is durability. With it are associated and features removal. Conventional nail polish remover will not work. Manicurists strongly recommend seeking help from a beauty salon, but sometimes this is not possible. For example, a manicure is damaged during a vacation or a nail master cannot accept in the near future. Then it becomes necessary to remove shellac on your own at home. This is real if you know the features and follow the rules for shellac removal.
Methods for removing shellac without a special liquid
To remove shellac without resorting to the help of a specialist, you will need the following tools: acetone or an acetone-containing nail polish remover, isopropyl alcohol, aluminum foil, cotton pads or cotton swabs, and an orange stick are also suitable. Do not use technical acetone. It injures the skin, cuticle and even the nail plate.
Consider two simple but effective ways to remove shellac without a special liquid.
Option number 1
Before the procedure, make sure that the product does not cause allergies. To do this, apply a small amount to the inside of the elbow. If after ten minutes there is no redness or irritation, carry out the procedure.
Prepare the necessary components for the procedure. Split cotton pads and cut into two halves - semicircles. If regular cotton wool is used, small cotton pads are formed. 10 squares of this size are cut out of the foil so that everyone can wrap a finger. Wash your hands in warm water with soap, this will fatten the skin and allow a more effective procedure.
- Moisten a lot of cotton with liquid polish remover. Apply a moistened swab very carefully, avoiding contact with the skin and cuticles to prevent burns.
- Wrap the nail with the cotton wool tightly in place. To fix cotton sponges, regular office gum will do. Do this with each finger.
- The design is left on the nails for 10-15 minutes, after which they are removed alternately from each finger. It is recommended to remove cotton wool by rotational movements, so it will turn out to remove more varnish.
- Most of the coating should move away from the nail immediately after removing the foil, the residue is removed with an orange stick.
An orange tree stick can be replaced with a pusher - this is a metal spatula to move the cuticle. It will be necessary to work more accurately with a pusher; it is more delicate to press on the tool, since metal can damage nail plate when pressed hard. If shellac does not lag behind the nail plate, the procedure is repeated for several minutes.
The shellac removal procedure is completed by buffing (this is a polishing block that is more soft than a nail file, it helps smooth out irregularities in nails, and bring a manicure to perfection). They remove the smallest residues of the coating, and hone the shape of the nail. A polishing file is also suitable. To prevent dryness and thinning of the nails, cuticle oil is applied with light massage movements.
Video instructions
Option number 2
The second method is easier and faster than the first, but has disadvantages. It is less gentle, and aggressively affects the nails and skin of the hands.
- Before the procedure, wash my hands with warm, soapy water. The top shiny layer of shellac is sawn off with a file for grinding.
- The skin around the nails is oiled with a greasy cream. For 10 minutes, immerse the nails in a bath with acetone or concentrated liquid to remove the varnish. You can immerse one at a time, if the size of the container allows, soften the coating on both hands at once.
- Carefully remove the varnish film with an orange stick, try not to damage the nail plate. Wash your hands thoroughly in warm water using a mild soap.
- As in the first version, we process the nails with buff and grease the cuticle with special oil.
After stress, nails and hands need recovery. To do this, thoroughly grease them with a nourishing cream. To restore the skin of your hands faster, become soft and soft, make a special mask that moisturizes your skin and nourishes with useful substances.
The listed methods for removing shellac-coating at home will help to save money and not resort to a visit to a nail salon.
Professional shellac removal methods
To remove the shellac coating is easier than the gel that is used for building. In order for the procedure to pass quickly and without negative consequences for the nails, it is worth contacting specialists in the salons. In nail salons use specialized tools that will allow:
- Completely remove gel polish from the nail plate without leaving even the thinnest film. The thin transparent coating layer remaining on the nails will spoil the future manicure, depriving it of both aesthetics and strength.
- Prepare the foundation for the next manicure, which will allow you to look perfect.
- Strengthen nailsthanks to nourishing and moisturizing ingredients.
To simplify the task of shellac removal, professional kits are used. They are suitable for use in salons as well as at home.
The standard set contains a tool for dissolving shellac, an orange stick, disposable bags for nails, a professional nail file and cuticle oil.
In specialized salons, only professional tools are used and the technology for removing shellac coating is as follows:
- Shellac remover is applied to cotton sponges that look like ordinary fingertips. They are put on each finger and are fixed by a flypaper. Thus, the liquid gradually corrodes the coating without affecting the skin.
- After 10 minutes of exposure, the sponges are removed, and the remnants of the softened gel are removed with an orange stick.
Professional craftsmen use high-quality products in their work, which during the procedure saturate the nails with caring components. Immediately after this, a new coating can be applied, this will not damage the nails.
Types of Shellac Remover
The choice of shellac remover should be taken very seriously. A durable coating is difficult to remove, so some liquids aggressively act not only on the varnish, but also on the nail plate.
Any means for removing shellac contains acetone or its analogues, for example, acetylate, solvent. These chemical compounds break down gel polish well, but the dry side of the nail plate is a side effect. Another component often found in many fluids, isopropyl alcohol also adversely affects the nail.
Castor, lemon, almond oils, tea tree extract, decoction of wheat germ are useful for nails. For some manufacturers, such a nutrient liquid is available under the name “smart enamel” because it provides safe comprehensive care and promotes a healthy appearance.
If the product does not contain nutrients, it is mandatory to use cuticle oil after each shellac removal procedure. This will prevent the cuticle and nail plate from being overdried. It is strongly not recommended to remove the coating with concentrated acetone. It aggressively affects the nail plate, provokes delamination of the nail and, penetrating the body through the skin, is poisoned by toxins. In order not to harm your health, use high-quality shellac remover.
Consider the most popular liquids.
- Company fluid CND (Shellac) gently removes varnish in an extremely short period of time - 8 minutes (standard 10-15 minutes). Vitamin E and nut oil included in the composition moisturize, preventing the drying of the nail plate and cuticle and the appearance of white spots on the nails. Some brand liquids have a pleasant smell (CND Product Remover).
- Manufacturer Color Couture Entity One releases goods in containers with a very convenient dispenser. The protective layer of the nail plate creates lanolin, which prevents dryness and irritation.
- Company liquids Gelish Harmony, Jessica Geleration, Gelfx Orly dissolve the varnish in 10 minutes without harming the natural nail plate.
- Firm Astonising produces fluids that are suitable for removing not only shellac, but also gel polish and acrylic.
- More versatile brand tools IBD Just Gel. They remove from the nail plate any kind of coatings: gel polishes, acrylic, nail tips, fiberglass. In addition, clotrimazole is an antifungal and antibacterial agent. Thus, not only protection occurs, but also nail treatment.
Shellac in a short time has become one of the most popular procedures in nail salons. Fashionistas appreciated the convenience, practicality and beauty of this type of innovative type of application. Nails with such a manicure have a well-groomed appearance for a long time, beautiful design, less prone to brittleness.
If it is not possible to contact a nail salon to remove shellac, be patient and available means, and perform the procedure at home. The main thing is to comply with the shellac removal rules, which we described in the article.
