Soak off gel polish at home with acetone, foil wraps, and patience — without peeling or damaging the nail underneath.
Lightly file the surface of each nail with a 180-grit file until the shine is gone. This breaks the seal so acetone can penetrate; don't file down to the natural nail.
Rub petroleum jelly or cuticle oil onto the skin around each nail. Acetone is very drying, and this keeps it from stripping the skin while the polish soaks.
Saturate a cotton ball with 100 percent acetone, press it onto the nail, and wrap the fingertip snugly in a small square of aluminum foil. Repeat on every nail and wait 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove one wrap at a time and nudge the softened polish off with a wooden cuticle stick. If it resists, rewrap and soak another 5 minutes — never peel or force it, which tears layers off the natural nail.
Wash your hands, then massage in cuticle oil and a rich hand cream. Give nails a few days of rest before the next gel set if they feel thin or rough.