Here's Exactly How to Remove Gel Nail Polish *Fast*

Zero salon appointments required.

Chloe Metzger's avatar
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Gel manicures are awesome…until they're not. Until you're three weeks in, your nail beds are grown out, and you're forced to either trek back to the nail salon to get them removed or—and it hurts us to think about this—painfully pick and peel the polish off yourself, resulting in hardcore damage.

But trust us when we say it *is* possible to remove your gel polish at home, if you've got the proper know-how. So to save your nail beds (and your sanity), we rounded up the five easiest gel-removal tutorials from the experts. Check them out, ahead.

1. With Cotton Balls and Foil Strips

Apply & Remove Gel Polish PERFECTLY At Home! - YouTube Apply & Remove Gel Polish PERFECTLY At Home! - YouTube
Watch On

2. With a Polish-Removing Steam Machine

- YouTube - YouTube
Watch On

3. With Disposable Rubber Glove Soaks

4. With Foam Pads and Finger Caps

- YouTube - YouTube
Watch On

5. With Gel Acetone and Reynolds Wrap

Chloe Metzger
Chloe Metzger
Beauty Editor

Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.