How To Remove Gel Nail Polish

Because the gel nail polish is so resistant to dirt and damage, it also takes extra steps to remove it. We have broken down the steps to safely remove your gel polish to ensure that your nails and skin are safe as you clear away that polish.

The best way to ensure that you get a job well done when removing gel nail extensions is to go to a professional. Most salon owners have heard the horror stories of people trying to take the pampering salon to the comfort of their homes in a do-it-yourself adventure. Nail damage and unsanitary conditions can lead to long-lasting issues that are difficult to resolve, even for a trained professional.

The cuticle, also called the nail bed, is important for the health of your nails. The cuticle is a clear layer of skin at the bottom edge of the nail that protects nails as they grow from bacteria. If you damage the cuticle, it can become infected. The health of the cuticle is vital to ensuring strong nails, so you need to protect it.

Apply a layer of cuticle oil or petroleum jelly to the cuticle and surrounding skin. This creates a barrier that is extremely difficult for acetone to permeate.

One reason why gel polish is so popular is because of how resistant it is to chipping and dirt. However, this also means that it can be very difficult to remove. Use a new, coarse nail file to loosen the top layer of polish. This helps the acetone get underneath and remove it more efficiently.

Apply only light pressure and use a movement parallel to the natural growth of your nail. If you file too harshly, you risk damaging the nail itself, which can take a long time to heal. The goal is to safely remove the polish without any damage to the nail or surrounding skin.

Rather than submerging your nails into acetone, you should cut cotton balls the size of your nail. Acetone is a strong and harsh chemical that can cause irritation or even damage to the skin. You want to avoid exposure as much as you can.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association notes that about a quarter of a cotton ball will cover your smallest nail. For your other four nails, half a cotton ball should be sufficient. Once you have cut the pieces, submerge the cotton balls into acetone and let them soak.

After you have soaked the cotton balls, use aluminum foil to secure them to your nails. You should have a tight seal around the nail. However, do not wrap the foil too tightly, as you can cut off circulation from your fingertips or toes. Avoid wrapping the cotton balls onto the skin. Although you have petroleum jelly or cuticle oil to protect those areas, you should still aim to minimize the risk of irritation.

Different gel formulas vary in strength. You should leave your nails wrapped for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how strong the polish is. The acetone soak should remove most of the nail polish.

After some time, remove the wraps from your nails. Use the nail file and gently scrape off the bottom layers of the gel polish. Remember to use light pressure, as your nails will be susceptible to damage. The polish should come off easily after a sufficient soak. If you have issues removing the final layers, repeat the steps for another acetone soak.

If the polish comes off very easily, you can also use a warm, wet washcloth. This method ensures that you do not accidentally damage the nail as you may with a file. As you remove the polish, be sure to only touch the nail and avoid the surrounding skin. The washcloth may remove the cuticle oil or petroleum jelly and transfer the acetone to unwanted areas.

Once you remove the polish, use a mild, fragrance-free soap to wash your hands and/or feet. It is important to ensure that you remove all of the acetone from your skin and nails to avoid dryness and irritation. After you have washed away the harsh chemicals, apply petroleum jelly or cuticle oil to help moisturize the area. Continue to apply the moisturizer for about a week to ensure the full recuperation of your nails and skin.

2. Longevity: Your employees will be using your towels every day, which means they must endure the regular wear and tear. Contact with chemicals, like those with which you clean your salon and supplies, can also degrade your towels quickly. After each use, they must also undergo a deep cleaning to ensure that they are clean for the next use. Selecting the proper types of towels that can withstand their designated uses will help you keep them for longer to get the most out of their lifespans.

3. Branding opportunities: Even the smallest details in your salon can reinforce your brand. If your logo is pink and red, then green towels will take away from the other efforts you have put in place elsewhere in the salon. Branding in all available opportunities creates a more cohesive look for your salon, and your customers will notice. Towels that fit the color scheme look more professional, as opposed to a selection of towels that are multiple colors or textures. 

Types of Towels Your Salon Needs

Towels come in a variety of sizes and materials that lend themselves useful to different uses. You should know how you will be using the towels in your salon to ensure that you have a useful variety of options available. Here are five types of towels that your salon will need to ensure customer satisfaction. 

100% Cotton Towels

Cotton is the most common material used in many towels for a variety of reasons. Some manufacturers use a cotton blend, in which the cotton is mixed with other materials such as rayon or polyester. However, 100% cotton towels offer high quality and many advantages to its cotton blend competitors. 

Cotton is a natural product, which means that you do not pay for plastic materials or extra manufacturing fees as you would with cotton blends. The natural material also means that its production is much more environmentally friendly. If your salon aims to reduce its carbon footprint, then something as simple as the kind of towels you use can go a long way. 100% cotton towels do not require the same chemicals as cotton blends, making them more affordable and safer to discard after all their use.

100% cotton towels are sustainable in more ways than one. Without the plastic fibers, they maintain their shape and color after even the deepest cleaning cycles. You can count on them to be just as soft and breathable as they were when you first got them. Cotton towels are plush and soft no matter how many wash cycles they go through, making them comfortable and great for sensitive skin.

These towels also absorb liquids exceptionally well, so they offer a wide variety of uses. From cleaning up spills to wiping away excess oils on a client’s hand, they pick up and hold onto the liquids. Their absorbance also lends well to keep them in heated towel cabinets. 

Microfiber Towels

Though 100% cotton towels have many benefits, microfiber towels also have a place in salons. Microfiber is made of nylon, a mixture of two extremely fine-fiber materials. Microfiber towels are very absorbent, holding up to eight times their weight, which means they require less water for cleaning than the average towel. Reducing water use not only benefits the environment but also reduces costs for your business. 

These towels trap dirt and other particles exceptionally well, making them great for cleaning because the thin fibers can fit into hard-to-reach crevices that thicker materials like cotton cannot. They are thought to be 98.9% effective in removing bacteria, nearly seven percent more than bleach and a traditional towel. With just water, a microfiber towel can clean a surface much more efficiently than other towels and a cleaning solution. 

A towel that cleans better will keep you, your employees and your clients safe in the salon. Avoid the toxic, harmful chemicals in cleaning solutions and remove more bacteria and dirt from your salon surfaces with microfiber towels. 

Bleach-Resistant Towels

Harsh chemicals in the salon are not an uncommon sight. Although you may be using microfiber towels and water to clean, other solutions, such as nail polish and nail polish remover, may contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your towels. Bleach-resistant towels are great to have on hand to avoid damaging your towels with these chemicals. They are made to withstand frequent contact with these substances, so they are more durable options. 

When some fabrics come into contact with substances like bleach, they undergo discoloration. This will make your towels look ratty and old, which may hurt your image and brand. When towels with your branding are unattractive, your clients may find your salon less professional. Although there are short-term solutions for dealing with these chemicals, such as using white towels, they may degrade quickly and reduce their lifespan. Rather than opting for a temporary solution, choose towels that are made to endure those conditions while maintaining your branding.

Fingertip Towels

Every salon owner is familiar with the fingertip towel, which is essential in the salon industry. Fingertip towels are long and broad, used to wipe off water from fingers or toes after a soak. By having towels for specific uses in your salon, you communicate to your clients that you are dedicated to the best products for every use. Rather than using a full-size, bulky towel to rest their hands on, the quaint fingertip towels are versatile yet intentional.

Fingertip towels are very absorbent and great at retaining water. This makes them a perfect option for soaking up water after a small spill. Many salons also soak them in warm water and place them in a towel warming cabinet. Once warm, they either wrap them around a client’s hands or feet or simply place them on their skin to relax the skin. 

Washcloths

Washcloths are a staple in most households, and salon owners know the high value of a versatile washcloth. Whether you use them as a place for clients to comfortably rest their hands during a polish or as a cleaning tool, washcloths serve many purposes. It is difficult to have too many washcloths, as salons use them regularly throughout the day, bringing out a new one for each use and client. 

Washcloths are extremely absorbent, yet another reason why their list of uses is so long. The optimal washcloth soaks up water with ease, provides a soft, plush surface for customers and withstands messes day in and day out. 

Stock Your Salon at Towel Super Center

Whether you are removing gel nail polish or cleaning, towels are essential in a salon. Choose towels for every situation with Towel Super Center. At Towel Super Center, we offer every kind of towel you need at great prices with bulk ordering to save you money. From 100% cotton towels to washcloths, we offer a wide variety of sizes, colors and materials to meet your salon’s needs. Stock your salon with high-quality, durable towels to reinforce your brand. 

You can order towels for your salon with ease on our website. Check out our products at https://www.towelsupercenter.com/.