You've been picking at your gel for days. Bits are peeling off, your nails feel thin underneath, and the edges are catching on everything. You know you shouldn't be doing it but once it starts lifting you can't leave it alone. And now your nails look worse than they did before you got them done.
That's what happens when gel gets removed the wrong way. Picking and peeling doesn't just take the gel off. It tears layers from your natural nail plate with it. That's why your nails feel paper thin and flaky afterwards. It's not the gel that damaged them. It's how it came off.
Professional gel removal avoids all of that. The product gets taken off safely using the right technique for whatever's on your nails, whether that's gel polish, BIAB, or extensions. Your natural nails come out the other side healthy, not wrecked.
At Aesthete Beauty in Dundee, all gel removal is done by Radina Ignatova, a professional nail expert with over 11 years of experience whose work has been featured in Scratch Magazine and Who What Wear UK. Gel Removal starts from £15. Book online any time or call us on 01382 217888.
The single biggest cause of nail damage from gel isn't the gel itself. It's improper removal. Picking, peeling, biting, or forcing gel off when it hasn't been properly loosened tears the top layers of your nail plate away with the product. Do that a few times and your nails end up thin, weak, peeling, and painful.
Even DIY removal at home with acetone can cause problems if the technique isn't right. Soaking for too long dries out the nail and surrounding skin. Not soaking long enough means you end up scraping product off that hasn't fully softened, which damages the surface. And without proper tools, it's easy to gouge or scratch the nail plate.
Professional removal at Aesthete Beauty is controlled and precise. Radina knows exactly what product is on your nails, how it needs to come off, and when to stop. The natural nail plate should never be compromised during removal. Your nails should look and feel healthy after the product comes off, not thin and damaged.
If your nails are already damaged from picking or from poor removal at a previous salon, Radina can assess the condition and advise on the best way to recover, including IBX nail repair treatment if needed.
Different products come off in different ways. The removal method depends on what's on your nails.
Gel polish removal. The bulk of the gel polish is removed using an e-file at controlled speed with light, precise strokes. This takes off the colour and topcoat without touching the natural nail. Any remaining product is softened with acetone wraps and gently pushed off. The whole process is designed to leave the nail plate clean and undamaged.
BIAB removal. BIAB is thicker than gel polish so it needs more careful e-file work to reduce the product down. The e-file does the heavy lifting at a controlled speed, reducing the overlay without applying pressure to the natural nail underneath. It takes a bit longer than gel polish removal because there's more product to get through, but the technique is the same. Controlled, precise, patient.
Extension removal (polygel). Polygel extensions are filed off using the e-file. The product is carefully reduced layer by layer until only a thin residue remains on the natural nail, which is then buffed smooth. No yanking, no forcing.
Soft gel tip removal. Soft gel tips are soaked off with acetone, similar to gel polish. The bulk is filed down first, then acetone wraps soften the remaining product so it can be gently removed. This is the gentlest removal method.
In all cases, the goal is the same. Get the product off without touching the natural nail underneath.
The e-file used for removal here isn't the same as what you might have experienced at a high-street salon. Different technique entirely. Cheap salons use high speed and coarse bits to grind product off because time is money. That's where the damage comes from. At Aesthete Beauty the e-file runs at controlled speed with fine bits, and Radina takes the product down in thin, even layers, stopping well before reaching your natural nail. The last thin layer is either left as a protective base or gently removed by hand. Your nail plate never gets touched by the e-file bit directly.
E-file removal at controlled speed
The most excellent and luxury service and care. Radina is the consummate professional and beauty therapist. Her attention to detail and comfort is top class. If you are looking for 1:1, luxury pampering experience you've found it.
Your nails should feel clean and healthy after professional removal. Not thin, not sore, not peeling. If they do feel slightly different to normal, that's because they've been protected under product for weeks and the exposed nail plate needs a day or two to adjust. Cuticle oil will help.
If your nails have been damaged from picking or from aggressive removal at a previous salon, don't panic. The damage grows out over time as new healthy nail replaces the damaged layers. In the meantime, Radina can recommend treatments to help.
IBX nail repair is available at Aesthete Beauty. It's a treatment that penetrates the nail plate and strengthens it from within, helping to repair damage and protect against further breakage. It's a good option if your nails need some recovery time before having gel or BIAB reapplied.
If you're planning to have a new set applied after removal, the best approach is to book the removal and new application in the same appointment. That way your nails go straight from one product to the next without being left exposed.
Had a lovely experience getting my nails done, was made feel so at ease and service was friendly. Salon cleanliness is to highest standard and my nails are 10/10.
Professional gel removal is what you need if:
Never pick or peel gel polish off yourself. It tears layers from your nail plate and causes real damage that takes months to grow out. Professional removal protects your nails and takes minutes.
Gel Removal starts from £15. BIAB Removal from £20. Soft Gel Removal from £15. Toes Removal £15.
Removal can be booked as a standalone service or as part of a new set appointment. If you're booking a new gel manicure, BIAB, or extensions, the old product gets removed at the start of that appointment.
All current pricing is in the online booking system. Pick your service, choose your time, done. You can also call us on 01382 217888 or message on WhatsApp.
Excellent service. Felt really comfortable and relaxed, the girl doing my nails was very kind and chatty. Nails look great and would definitely come back!
If you've never had gel professionally removed before, here's what happens.
Vodex dust extraction runs throughout the removal process, pulling gel dust from the air at the source so the room stays clean. Fresh disposable files and buffers for every client, metal tools cleaned and sterilised between appointments, Radina in gloves throughout. Even for a quick 15-minute removal the hygiene standard is the same as a full set.
Every tool sterilised between clients
Radina will check what product is currently on your nails and assess the condition. This determines which removal method is used and how long it will take.
The product is removed using the appropriate method for whatever's on your nails. E-file work for gel polish and BIAB, soak-off for soft gel tips. Radina works at a controlled pace, checking the nail surface as she goes. There's no rushing and no forcing.
Once the product is off, Radina will look at your natural nails and check their condition. If there's any damage from previous picking or poor removal elsewhere, she'll talk you through it honestly.
If you're having a new set applied, that starts straight away on clean, prepped nails. If you're just having a removal, Radina will give you aftercare advice to help your nails recover and stay healthy. Cuticle oil, gentle treatment, no harsh chemicals.
Gel Removal from £15. BIAB Removal from £20. Soft Gel Removal from £15. Toes Removal £15. All current pricing is in the online booking system.
Depends on the product. Gel polish removal takes around 15-20 minutes. BIAB removal takes a bit longer because the product is thicker. Extension removal varies depending on the type and length. Radina will give you a time estimate when you book.
Not when done professionally. Damage comes from improper removal, picking, peeling, or forcing product off before it's ready. At Aesthete Beauty, all removal is controlled and precise, designed to protect the natural nail plate.
You can, but it's risky if you don't have the right tools and technique. Peeling or picking gel off tears layers from your natural nail. Acetone soaking at home works but most people leave it too long or scrape too hard. Professional removal takes 15 to 20 minutes, costs from £15, and your nails come out clean. If you're taking it off because you want a break from gel, having it removed properly means your natural nails are in the best possible condition to recover.
Gel polish is thinner and comes off more quickly. BIAB is a thicker structural overlay that requires more careful e-file reduction. Both are removed safely without damaging the natural nail.
Yes. Radina can assess the damage and recommend a recovery plan. IBX nail repair treatment is available to strengthen damaged nails from within. The damage will also grow out over time as new healthy nail replaces the affected layers.
Yes. Most clients do this. The old product is removed at the start, your nails are prepped, and the new service is applied straight away. Book the service you want (gel polish, BIAB, extensions) and the removal is included.
No. If you're booking a new gel manicure, BIAB, or extensions, the removal of the old product is part of that appointment. You only need to book standalone removal if you want the product off and nothing reapplied.
They shouldn't be. After proper e-file removal your nails should feel clean and smooth, not thin or sore. If your nails were damaged before the gel went on, or if you've been picking at lifted edges between appointments, the damage was already there. Removal just reveals it. Radina will assess the condition of your nails after removal and recommend IBX treatment if they need strengthening before anything new goes on.
Straight away if your nails are in good condition. Most clients book removal as part of a new set appointment so the old product comes off and the new one goes on in the same visit. If your nails are damaged and need recovery time, Radina will tell you. She may suggest a course of IBX treatments or a few weeks with just cuticle oil before reapplying product.
A wonderful experience! The salon's atmosphere is lovely, clean, and luxurious. The girl was so nice. The customer service was excellent. I'll definitely be coming back!
If you've been picking at your gel and your nails are paying the price, stop and book a proper removal. It takes less time than you think and your nails will thank you for it.
We serve clients from across Dundee and the surrounding areas including the West End, Broughty Ferry, Newport-on-Tay, Monifieth, Carnoustie, and further afield.
