Soak Off Gel Polish: What It Is & Why You Should try it? (2024)

Last Updated on April 27, 2022 by SulaBeauty Staff

Ever heard about soak-off gel polish or soak off nails? Well, don’t worry as I got you covered with this guide that includes the introduction to soak off gel polish, how to apply it, and why one must choose soak off gel polish over regular gel polishes.

However, there is not much difference between traditional nail polish and this type of nail polish when it comes to the application but several differences in their features.

Soak Off Gel Polish: What It Is & Why You Should try it? (1)

What is Soak Off Gel Polish?

Soak off gel nails or soft nails are quite different from traditional nail polish. It is directly applied on the nail bed similar to regular polish but after each coat, it needs to be cured under a UV/LED lamp for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute.

It cannot be air dried, and thus, you won’t have to wait for soak-off gel nails to dry. They harden under UV lamps in 30 seconds.

They last on nails for at least three weeks without chipping or peeling, the duration is longer than that of regular nail polish that starts to chip within a week.

How do you Use Soak-off Gel Polish?

Simply follow the steps given below to apply the soak-off gel polish to your nails. The prerequisite of this process is a good quality soak off gel polish and also, a soak off UV gel base coat.

I have been using soak-off UV/LED gel polish from Beetles and the range is quite impressive.

Firstly, remove any excess oil from your nails using either rubbing alcohol, acetone, or a nail cleanser.
Then, apply the Soak off Gel base coat on your nails, it’s a very necessary step if you want your nail polish to stay longer and to keep your nails healthy. Cure your base coat under the lamp for 1 minute.
Now, choose a soak-off lamp gel nail color that you want to apply and then, apply the first coat of the nail polish on your nails. Cure your soak off gel polish under a LED/UV lamp for 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the instructions for curing given by the manufacturer of the polish.
Apply the second coat and after applying each coat, cure your nails under a lamp.
Finish off by applying the soak off gel top coat for extra shine and for acting as a barrier between your nail polish, cure the final coat.
Lastly, remove the tacky residue from over your soak-off gel nails by wiping a soaked lint-free pad in alcohol to reveal the glossy finish.

Why You Should Choose Soak-Off Gel Polish?

Let us now answer the question of why must one choose soak-off gel polish by providing the list of features that it provides:

It lasts longer than regular polish i.e., 2-3 weeks without chipping or peeling. It’s applied in thin layers and thus, feels lightweight.
It takes hardly 30 seconds for soak-off gel nails to dry. All you need is a UV or LED lamp to cure your nails. LED lamps take 30 seconds to dry and UV lamps take around 2-3 minutes to dry soak off gel polish.
Soak-off gel polish is considered to be safe and healthy for your nails. They don’t cause any damage.
Doesn’t have an overpowering or harsh smell, unlike acrylic nails. Soak off lamp gel polishes are odorless and free from chemicals.
The removal process is very easy, you simply need to soak your nails in Acetone for 10-15 minutes and the nails will start to come off on their own.
You can apply soak-off gel polish on your own at home without any professional help.

Read if Gel Nail Polish Air Dry or not

What Is the Difference Between Gel Polish and Soak Off Gel Polish?

Hard gel polish is pretty similar to soak-off gel nail polish except for the fact that the removal process of gel polish is quite harsh.

The application process of both of the polishes is the same, and both of them need to be cured under a lamp for drying, they both last for the same duration i.e., 2-3 weeks.

But the removal process of gel polish is complex and not quite easy to be performed at home. The nail drilling method works the best for gel polishes as they are hard, or else, you’ll have to give them a very long acetone bath combined with filing.

All of these things can somewhat damage natural nails in the longer run. Whereas, soak-off gel nails are very easy to remove.

Also read about Gel Nail Polish vs. Regular Nail Polish

Does Gel Polish Have to be Soaked Off?

However, soaking a gel polish in Acetone is not considered to be the most ideal way of removing gel polish. But yes, many people use this process with their gel nails; however, you must know that it takes quite long to remove gel nails with nail polish remover and might still not come off completely.

Can Soak Off Gel Polish Dry Without Uv Light?

Well, if you want to lessen the nail exposure to UV light then, you can make use of an LED lamp as well, it is proven to be equally effective. Or else, you can eliminate the use of lamps by using non-UV soak off gel polish, they are getting quite famous these days.

I tried these nail polishes from the brand Eternal that don’t require curing under a UV lamp.

Also, you can make use of nail polish drying spray, quick-dry topcoat, or use the DIY ice water method to dry your soak off gel nails.

FAQs

Soak Off Gel Polish: What It Is & Why You Should try it? ›

What is soak off gel polish? This is also referred to as a soft gel manicure. The advantages of curing it under a UV/LED lamp are that it hardens the gel polish, making it last longer while also giving it a shiny appearance. A soak-off manicure will last approximately two weeks without chipping.

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Is soak off the same as acetone? ›

A question we often get asked is whether Acetone is better than a Soak Off Gel Remover, and the answer is a simple No. Both removal solutions have great soak off power abilities, but each have their advantages as well as things to consider before deciding.

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Is it better to soak off or file off gel nails? ›

Instead, we suggest using acetone-soaked cotton balls. This way, you only put acetone where it's needed on your nail and keep it off your skin. Because soaking in acetone can harm your nails and skin, it might take longer to fix them before you can put on gel polish again.

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What differences does soak off gel polish have to shellac? ›

Both gel and shellac require acetone to be removed from the nails. The only difference is that shellac removes within 60 seconds and requires less scraping when removing unlike gel polish which requires longer soak time and a more aggressive approach during the removal process.

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How long does soak off gel polish take to dry? ›

After your nails have been chilled, remove your hands and allow your nails to air dry for 30 minutes to an hour or until they feel entirely hardened. Be careful with your nails. They may feel dry when you remove them from the ice bath. It will take at least an hour for them to be completely dry.

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Does soak off gel damage nails? ›

The ease of removing gel polish makes it a favorite option for many. The key is to soak your nails in acetone. Trying to remove a gel manicure without soaking will damage your nails.

What is soak off gel polish used for? ›

Unlike a traditional nail polish, soak-off gel polish is painted on with a brush and each layer is “cured” under a UV light to dry. Soak-off Gels come in a wide array of colors. What are the benefits? Dry time – The UV light dries the polish within minutes which means no dry time, no smudging, no dents.

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Which is healthier for nails gel or shellac? ›

Shellac is a blend of gel and nail polish. Because it is like a polish, it can't be used to extend your nail. Because it is like a gel, however, it does add strength and durability. In the long term Shellac is much less damaging to nails than traditional Gels (or Acrylics).

Is gel polish bad for your nails? ›

Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.

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What stays on better gel or shellac? ›

A Gel manicure typically lasts anywhere from 3 weeks to a month and there is a very low chance of a Gel manicure chipping. In comparison, a Shellac manicure typically last about 2 weeks if it is taken care of properly and has a higher chance of chipping after a few weeks go by.

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Can you overcure gel nails? ›

Over-curing can cause the colour to adhere directly to the nail plate, making removal difficult. Avoid this issue by ensuring adequate curing without overcooking the gel polish. Gel Polish Top-Coat: Cure the top coat for a maximum of 90 seconds, even if you feel that 60 seconds may be insufficient.

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How do salons remove gel polish? ›

To quickly remove gel polish, most nail salons applying acetone-soaked cotton balls directly to your nails and wrap them in aluminum foil. If residual polish isn't easily removable after a 10 minute waiting period, your local nail salon may also opt to use professional tools, like a nail drill, for a clean finish.

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What to put on nails after removing gel? ›

After a set of gels and an intensive gel removal process, it's imperative you focus on caring for your skin and nails. Apply a generous amount of Restorative Nail Cream, an antioxidant-rich dream cream formulated to nourish, condition, and revive the look of damaged, cracked, or brittle nails.

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How to do a soak off without acetone? ›

Hot, Soapy Water

Soap and water are another great way to remove acrylics without harsh chemicals or solvents. Simply fill a bowl or sink with hot, soapy water and soak your nails for about 10 minutes. Soaking will help soften the adhesive and make it quicker to remove the false nails.

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Can you do a soak off with nail polish remover? ›

Pour the acetone into the bowl and soak your nails in it. This is the quickest method, but it can dry out your nails. As you soak you will see the plastic melting and the gel polish coming off the nail. The longer you soak it in the acetone, the easier the nails come apart.

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Does nail polish remover work the same as acetone? ›

Is nail polish remover without acetone better? Non-acetone polish removers are far gentler on the skin and were originally created to be used on nail extensions because acetone made extensions brittle. But To put it simply, non-acetone nail polish removers are less effective at removing polish than acetone.

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Is Home Depot acetone the same as nail acetone? ›

It is true that hardware store acetone is usually more contaminated than the acetone that is purchased in a pharmacy or beauty supply. Nail professionals should use at least 99% acetone, but some companies sell poor grade acetone that is mislabeled as 100% acetone, when it is not.