3 common nail polish removal mistakes to avoid

Removing your nail polish effectively is never too easy and risk-free. Therefore, Alexandra Falba, nail technician expert at OPI reveals the right things to do to avoid any setbacks.

If you have mastered your manicure and pedicure, you would know that removing your nail polish efficiently, cleanly and safely is not that easy. To avoid falling into most common mistakes, which are easy to avoid, follow the nail expert advice.

Using cotton

We are used to grad our cotton pads and apply a nail remover to take off the nail polish off of our nails.   "It's actually a bad idea, because the cotton absorbs the remover and does not hold the pigments well." Alexandra Falba, OPI nail technician expert, recommends using paper towel.

“You just have to cut the strips to create small squares. Even if its surface is rougher, however, it will catch the pigments without leaving any fibers on the nail and it doesn’t absorb the nail remover excessively.” For those who travel often, there are also soaked patches, they can benefit from.

Rubbing on the nail

“When you rub the nail to remove the polish, half of the liquid will spread around the nail. At this point, it is more difficult to remove the polish from your skin.”

OPI expert advise you to ditch this bad habit, to make nail polish removal go fast. “For an effective removal, press a square paper towel on the nail and count to 10 without moving it in order to dissolve the polish in depth. Then swipe the paper towel towards the front of the nail; this way no trace on the skin and 90% of the polish will be removed.” Alexandra uses one squared paper towel for each nail then another one to remove the remaining polish.

Also, if you are a fan of pots with a pre-soaked sponge, you just need to dip your nail for 5 or 6 seconds to remove the polish. However, this technique doesn’t last forever, as you need to replace it as soon as the sponge becomes filled with polish, because if left, it might leave stains on your skin.

Struggling with semi-permanent nail polish

If the classic polish is easily removed, it is not the same with the semi-permanent nail polish. Although many nail salons offer semi-permanent nail polish removal, however, is it possible to do it at home without damaging your nails?

"It's quite doable but you need to learn the right technique", reassures the OPI nail technician. She advises to invest in a removal kit if you are used to this kind of nail polishes which last between three weeks and a month. If it is done occasionally, it will be enough to use paper foil / aluminum foil (8 cm by 8 cm according to the expert), on each nail.

You can also cut pieces of cotton, which you will soak in acetone. "You just have to put the small square of cotton on the nail and wrap each with a paper foil. Make sure to tighten it well to ensure real contact." Then leave them for 20 minutes, not less! And last: “Do not take off the foil before, even if you want to see if it works; because otherwise you will ruin the whole process and you’ll have to start from scratch.”