A clean start for your next set.
Careful removal of existing nail product, with attention to the natural nail underneath.
₱499.00
1–2 hours
Remove the old set without rushing the process.
When it is time for your current set to come off, how it is removed matters.
Gel Removal at Ishi Nail Lab is focused on carefully taking off existing nail product while keeping unnecessary stress on the natural nail to a minimum.
The exact removal approach depends on what is currently on your nails. Different gel and enhancement systems are made differently, so they do not all release in the same way. Professional removal may involve softening a suitable soak-off product or carefully reducing a product that does not soak off.
The goal is simple: remove what needs to come off, leave the natural nail appropriately prepared, and give you a clean starting point.
What can be removed?
Gel Removal may be relevant when you currently have an existing nail product such as:
- Gel polish / soak-off gel
- Builder gel or BIAB
- Gel overlay
- Soft-gel extensions
- Hard gel
- Polygel
- Dip powder
- Acrylic
Different products require different removal approaches. Your existing product and its condition are considered before removal.
If you are unsure what is currently on your nails, you can still let us know when booking. A photo can also help us understand what you currently have.
What to expect
01 — We look at your existing set
Before removal begins, the existing product is assessed so the appropriate approach can be used.
02 — The product is carefully reduced or removed
Removal depends on the product. A suitable soak-off system may be softened and gently removed, while products that do not soak off may require controlled filing or reduction.
03 — We avoid unnecessary force
Existing product should not simply be peeled, picked, or aggressively scraped away. Professional removal is about working with the product rather than forcing it off the natural nail.
04 — Your nails are left ready for what comes next
Once the existing product has been removed, the nails can be assessed and prepared for your next service if you are continuing with another appointment.
Why proper removal matters
It can be tempting to peel or pick at lifting gel when you want a set gone quickly.
That is not the same as professional removal.
Improper removal can take some of the natural nail with the product, leaving the nail thinner, weaker, or more prone to peeling. Dermatologists specifically recommend avoiding picking or filing away artificial nail products and advise choosing professional removal when possible.
Professional product systems also give specific removal procedures rather than treating every gel product the same. For example, OPI’s professional instructions use controlled softening and gentle removal for its GelColor system, while CND provides a separate removal protocol for its SHELLAC system.
At Ishi, the important part is not making removal look complicated. It is giving the existing product the appropriate treatment instead of forcing it off.
A few things to know before booking
Please tell us what is currently on your nails.
Existing product can affect the removal approach, appointment time, suitability, and the condition of the natural nail. Ishi’s service guidance therefore asks clients to disclose existing product before booking.
If you have product from another salon or are unsure what type of enhancement you have, don’t worry about identifying it perfectly. Let us know what you know, and we can assess it.
Please don’t remove or peel the product yourself immediately before your appointment.
If some product is already lifting, resist the urge to pull it off. Picking and peeling can remove layers of the natural nail along with the product.
Removal does not automatically mean your nails need to be left bare.
If you are booking another Ishi service that requires removal first, the existing product can be removed as part of that service rather than booking Gel Removal separately.
Is Gel Removal right for you?
Book Gel Removal when:
- You want your existing nail product removed.
- You want a clean break before getting a new set.
- You are switching from an existing enhancement to another service.
- You would rather have existing product professionally removed than pick or peel it yourself.
You may not need to book it separately when:
You are booking another Ishi service and already have existing product that needs to be removed first.
For services other than Gel Removal, the necessary Gel Removal is already included in the service price. You do not pay the ₱499 Gel Removal fee on top of the new service.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gel Removal only for gel polish?
No. Professional nail studios commonly distinguish between different removal categories, including soak-off gels and other enhancement systems such as builder gel, hard gel, polygel, dip and acrylic. The appropriate removal method depends on the product currently on the nails.
Can you remove product from another salon?
If you have an existing product from another salon, tell us when booking. The product can be assessed before removal.
Do you remove acrylic or dip powder?
These are not technically the same as gel polish, but they are among the types of existing nail enhancements that professional removal services commonly handle. Whether a particular set can be removed is determined by the product and its condition.
Will my nails be damaged after removal?
The purpose of careful professional removal is to avoid unnecessary stress to the natural nail. However, the condition of your natural nails can already be affected by the existing product, previous applications, removal history, or other factors. No responsible nail professional should promise that removal is completely risk-free.
Can I just peel the gel off at home?
It is better not to. Peeling or picking can remove layers of the natural nail along with the product. Professional removal guidance recommends allowing the product to be properly softened or reduced rather than forcing it off.
How long does Gel Removal take?
Ishi’s listed appointment time is 1–2 hours. Actual time can vary depending on the existing product and its condition.
I am getting another Ishi service after removal. Do I pay another ₱499?
No. When existing product needs to be removed before another Ishi service, the necessary Gel Removal is already included in that service’s listed price.
What if I don’t know what product is currently on my nails?
That’s okay. Tell us what you know when booking, and if possible, provide a clear photo of your current nails. The existing product can then be assessed.
Ready for a clean start?
Whether you’re removing an old set before going natural or preparing for your next manicure, careful removal gives you a better place to begin.
Gel Removal — ₱499.00
1–2 hours