Expert Tips for At-Home Nail Care: Achieve Salon-Quality Results

Beautiful hands are the result of consistent and attentive care, with special focus on nail health. While not everyone has the time or opportunity to visit a beauty salon regularly, excellent nail care can absolutely be achieved at home with the right approach.

Professional manicurist and head of a nail school, Svetlana Egorova, shares valuable advice on how to safely remove gel polish and maintain your nails yourself. Below, you'll find a detailed video guiding you through every step of the process.

To begin your at-home nail care routine, gather the following essentials:

• Sea salt (available at pharmacies or general stores);

• Cuticle remover to soften and clean the cuticles;

• Cuticle scissors (only to trim the skin around the nail plate);

• Lint-free wipes or cotton pads;

• Buffer for smoothing and polishing the nail surface;

• Cuticle oil to nourish and hydrate;

• Foaming hand wash or gentle soap;

• A wooden nail file (avoid metal files) for shaping natural nails;

• A nail brush or an affordable toothbrush to clean under nails;

• Orange stick for gently pushing back cuticles;

• A small container or bowl lined with a disposable bag for hygiene;

• Paper towels.

Domix Green Professional Blackberry Cuticle Oil with Dropper

Let's start the care procedure.

First, gently file off any remaining gel polish using a nail file, then buff the nail surface with the soft side of the buffer to achieve a smooth, shiny finish.

Next, use the orange stick to carefully push back the cuticles, moving upwards to open the "cuticle pocket."

Apply cuticle remover generously to the sidewalls and under the free edge of the nail. This product softens the cuticles and removes the thin film that can form around the nail plate. Cuticle remover is widely available at nail supply stores and general retailers.

Prepare a small bowl by lining it with a disposable bag, add a pinch of sea salt, and fill it with lukewarm water.

Alex Beauty Concept Manicure Bowl Set with Complimentary Cuticle Remover and 12 Pink Wood Sticks

Soak your hand in the bowl for 5 minutes. Then, using a nail brush and liquid or regular soap, scrub away nail dust and dirt from the sidewalls and under the free edge. Return your hand to the water for an additional 2 minutes before using the orange stick to clean any remaining debris.

Remove excess moisture with a paper towel or cotton pad. Gently push back the cuticles again and remove any remaining film from the nail surface.

Using cuticle scissors, place your ring finger in the lower ring, thumb in the upper ring, and index finger on the nail. Insert the cutting edge at a 90-degree angle under the cuticle and trim carefully in small 2-millimeter increments.

Buff the sidewalls lightly with the nail file, moving downward to remove dead skin cells.

For the final step, apply a small drop of cuticle oil to each nail and massage it in with gentle circular motions. Wipe away any excess oil with a cotton pad.

Note: If you plan to apply nail strengtheners or clear polish, avoid using cuticle oil beforehand as it can affect the longevity of the polish.

The video above demonstrates the complete process of gel polish removal and at-home nail care.

Keep your hands and nails looking neat, healthy, and beautiful every day!

Photo credit: Getty Images

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