May one remove nail polish on Shabbos?^[1]

This matter is relevant to the same dispute in Poskim regarding erasing ink blotches from one’s skin, in which the custom is to be lenient. Nevertheless, some^[2] write one is to be stringent not to remove nail polish on Shabbos even according to the lenient opinion mentioned above. Practically, those who are lenient have upon whom to rely.^[3] [When removing the nail polish, one may use nail polish remover, although she may not soak a cotton ball in the liquid. She may however rub the polish off using a dry cotton ball.^[4]]

[1] SSH”K 14:61

[2] Piskeiy Teshuvos 340:5; SSH”K 14:66 writes initially to remove the nail polish with a  gentile, if a gentile is available; So rules also Shabbos Kehalacha 18:27 [Volume 3 p. 179] that one may only remove the nail polish in times of great need, such as to go to Mikveh.

The reason: This case is more severe than the case of removing ink blotches from the skin, as in this case one intends to eventually redye the skin after removing the makeup, and it is similar to the Biblical prohibition against erasing with intent to write.

[3] Beir Moshe 8:25 rules one may remove makeup on Shabbos prior to Mikveh; See SSH”K ibid; Orchos Shabbos 15 footnote 85; Shabbos Kehalacha footnote 55

The reason: As although one intends to eventually redye the skin after removing the makeup, and it is similar to the Biblical prohibition against erasing with intent to write, nevertheless, we rule that erasing dye from the skin is not relevnt at all to the erasing prohibition, and there is no prohibition of erasing dye which corresponds to the prohibition of dyeing, and hence there is no source in Halacha to prohibit this [ibid]

[4] As dyeing is not relevant to cotton balls as they are designated for this purpose to become dirty and be discarded. It is hence similar to all items which are designated specifically for a dirty use which does not contain the dying prohibition. This follows the ruling written in “The Laws of Dyeing” regarding using a tissue to clean a wound, which is allowed based that it is designated for this purpose. [Admur Kuntrus Achron 302; SSH”K 14:19; Piskeiy Teshuvos 320:11 ] This ruling is unlike the ruling of Rav Farkash in Taharah Kehalacha ibid which prohibits the use of a cotton ball in all cases. Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol on his opinion.