Gel Pedicures Last Forever Without Chipping—What to Know Ahead of Sandal Season (2025)

Whenever I sense warm weather approaching, two things become my main priorities: ensuring that I spend at least some part of my summer lounging on a beach somewhere and getting regularly scheduled gel pedicures. Much like a gel manicure, a gel pedicure is one of the most popular nail treatments because it cures quickly for a long-lasting, rock-solid finish.

Considering we don't wash dishes with our feet, a traditional, non-gel pedicure will hold up a lot longer than a non-gel manicure anyway. But, gel polish upholds its shine even as your pedicure ages—a benefit that can’t be beat. If you’ve ever found yourself on the fence about whether or not the extra few bucks you’ll spend to get a gel pedicure is worth it, we spoke to a few experts for their insights.

Read ahead for everything you need to know about gel pedicures, including the benefits, the removal process, and the average cost.

What to Expect

A standard gel pedicure requires pretty much the same steps as a gel manicure or regular pedicure, though most (if not all) salons allow for add-ons like callus removal, foot scrubs, foot massages, and paraffin wax to soften the skin on your feet and make the experience more enjoyable overall.

At minimum, you can expect your nail tech to remove any polish that’s already on the nail by filling off the clear coat and soaking the polish off with acetone (more on that ahead) before they push, clean, and nip your cuticles. Then, they'll cut your toenails to your desired length and buff them for a smooth surface before the polish is applied.

Next, your nail tech will apply a layer of nail polish to your toenails before placing your feet under an LED light for 60 to 90 seconds so that the color can “dry” or harden. "Gel polish needs to be cured with an LED or UV lamp,” explains celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein. “This helps the pedicure maintain strength, keeps it chip-free, and delivers ultra-glossy shine.”

After curing the second layer of polish, a topcoat is applied that is also then cured for at least 30 seconds. Once this is over, Chue likes to finish her clients off with a moisturizing foot massage to account for any dryness on the feet, but some techs may apply cuticle oil to the area as well.

How Long They Last

While a gel manicure typically lasts between two to three weeks, you can usually ride out a gel pedicure for up to a month. “Your toes generally grow slower than the fingernails and are less in contact with everyday wear and tear as your hands, so gel pedicures could last up to a month,” says celebrity nail artist Sarah Chue.

Per Chue, the key to making sure your gel pedicure lasts is to make sure the toenails are dry and free of products or oils before the gel nail polish is applied. “You can do this by cleaning the nails with alcohol using a lint-free wipe, followed by a bonder,” she adds. She also recommends priming the nails as a second step so that the polish can better adhere to the nail since “it leaves a bit of a tacky layer on top.”

Lastly, if you typically get white nail polish on your toes, there’s a good chance you’ve fallen victim to your polish staining or becoming discolored after a few weeks. To avoid this, Chue recommends using high-quality gel polish and top coat and minimizing sun exposure (as much as you can), since UV rays can break down the chemicals in nail polish and cause it to change color.

Removal Process

Whatever you do, don’t peel your gel polish off. If you’re ready for a polish change or if you just want to give your natural nails a break from being covered for a while, the best way to remove gel nail polish is as follows:

Step 1: Use a hand file to rough up your polish, aiming to remove the top coat.

Step 2: Soak a piece of cotton in nail polish remover or acetone and place it on top of your nail. (It should be covering all of the polish.) Then, wrap a small piece of foil around your toenail to hold it in place.

Step 3: Wait about ten minutes before removing the foil and cotton, then use a cuticle pusher to remove the lifted gel color.

Step 4: If any polish remains on your toes, just repeat the above steps until all of the color is gone.

Note: If your polish is being removed during a salon pedicure, your nail tech will likely use a drill to file the top coat off of your toes before going in with the acetone-soaked cotton ball, but if you’re removing the color at home and you don’t own a drill, it’s okay to skip this step.

According to Gerstein, sometimes heat can be used to speed up the removal process. “You can [wrap your hands in] an electric heating pad to keep the acetone-soaked foil warm,” she says. But do NOT warm the acetone via flame or microwave.

The Cost

As with most beauty practices, this all depends on your location, what add-ons you request with your pedicure, and the technician doing your nails. Chue says you can expect to spend anywhere between $65 and $100, but based on my personal experience, you can also get a gel pedicure as low as $40.

The Bottom Line

While they can be slightly pricier, gel pedicures provide more convenience if you’re someone who wants your polish to last up to a month without chipping or appearing dull. The key to making sure you get the most out of your color comes down to proper preparation and execution.