Gel Polish Removal for Nail Techs: 10-Step Guide

Removal is half the service. Get it wrong and you thin the natural nail, weaken it and set your client up for breakage, however good the next set is. This guide covers how to remove gel polish safely, step by step, using Soak Away and TGB Acetone, plus how removal differs for BIAB™ and the mistakes that cause the most damage.

Not a nail tech? Gel and BIAB™ removal is a job for a trained professional. Find a TGB salon near you.

What you'll need

• • 220/240 Nail File
  • 100/180 Nail Buffer
  • 120/180 Nail File
  • ProPrep (cuticle pusher)
  • Removal Foils
  • Lint Free Wipes
  • Soak Away
  • TGB Acetone
  • TGB SPA™ Cuticle Essence

Soak Away is our oil-based acetone remover. It breaks down gel polish effectively while helping to keep the nail and surrounding skin from drying out, which makes it the one to use for the soak.

How long does gel removal take?

Allow 15–30 minutes, depending on how many layers are on the nail and how long the gel needs to soak. Don't rush it. Most removal damage happens when gel is forced off before it's ready.

How to remove gel polish in 10 steps

1. File off the top coat

Use a 220/240 Nail File to remove the top coat. Keep the file parallel to the nail so you don't catch the natural nail underneath.

Pro tip: take your time here. Over-filing at this stage is the most common cause of thin, sensitive nails after removal.

2. Buff the surface

Lightly buff the gel with a 100/180 Nail Buffer. Breaking the surface lets the remover get into the gel.

3. Wrap each nail

Soak a Lint Free Wipe in Soak Away, place it on the nail and wrap with a Removal Foil. The foil should be snug but not tight.

4. Leave to soak

Leave the foils on for up to 10 minutes while the gel softens.

5. Remove the foils

Start with the first nail you wrapped, as it's had the longest soak. Twist and pull the foil away gently.

6. Lift the softened gel

Use a cuticle pusher such as ProPrep to ease the gel away. Work gently: if you need pressure, the gel isn't ready.

7. Re-soak anything stubborn

If gel remains, rewrap the nail for another 5 minutes and try again. Never scrape at gel that hasn't softened.

8. Shape and smooth

Shape with a 120/180 Nail File, then smooth the surface with a 100/180 Nail Buffer.

9. Cleanse

Wipe each nail with TGB Acetone to remove dust and residue.

10. Nourish

Finish with TGB SPA™ Cuticle Essence on the nails and cuticles to rehydrate after the soak. If time allows, a short hand massage with the TGB SPA™ range turns the end of the removal into part of the service.

Removing BIAB™

BIAB™ is a soak-off formula, so the method is the same as above with two differences. There's more product on the nail, so file away more of the bulk before you wrap, keeping the file parallel and stopping before you reach the natural nail. Then allow a longer soak than you would for gel polish.

If your client is coming back for another set, you don't need to remove BIAB™ completely. File back the colour and most of the product, leave a thin, even layer of base on the nail, and rebalance from there. This infill approach protects the natural nail between appointments.

Hard BIAB™ is an exception, as a hard gel and is filed off rather than soaked.

4 common removal mistakes

1. Using an e-file without training

Used well, an e-file is the fastest way to remove product. Used without training, it can cause serious damage to the nail plate. TGB Academy's E-File Course teaches you to use our Desktop E-File and Portable E-File safely.

Once you're trained, the Probits Removal Bundle can take up to 30 minutes off an appointment. It includes a Gel Remover Bit, a 6-In-1 Bit and a Debulker Bit, covering hard gel extensions, gel polish removal that leaves the base intact, and BIAB™ removal and refinement. All Probits are titanium nitride coated for hygiene and durability, and work for left- and right-handed techs.

2. Not soaking for long enough

Gel should be soft before you touch it with a pusher. If it isn't lifting easily, rewrap and wa

3. Skipping the nourishing step

The soak dehydrates the nail and cuticle. Finishing with TGB SPA™ Cuticle Essence puts moisture back and keeps the nail in good condition for the next set.

4. Letting clients pick or peel

Peeling gel strips layers from the natural nail and leaves it weak and brittle. Tell clients at the end of every appointment not to pick or peel, and to book in for removal instead. Our aftercare guides make that conversation easier.

Gel removal FAQs

How long should you soak gel polish?

Up to 10 minutes in Soak Away, then a further 5 minutes for any stubborn areas. BIAB™ needs longer because there's more product on the nail.

Can you remove BIAB™ with acetone?

Yes. BIAB™ is a soak-off formula. File away most of the bulk first, then soak. Hard BIAB™ is the exception and is filed off.

What's the difference between Soak Away and acetone?

Soak Away is oil-based and made for the soak, so it softens gel while helping to stop the nail and skin drying out. TGB Acetone is for cleansing the nail of dust and residue after removal.

Is e-file or soak-off removal better?

Both are safe in trained hands. An e-file is faster and lets you leave the base in place for an infill. Soak-off is the right choice if you're not e-file trained, or when a client wants their product removed completely.

Does gel removal damage natural nails?

Not when it's done properly. Damage comes from over-filing, forcing off gel that hasn't softened, and clients picking or peeling at home.

Keep learning

TGB Academy runs courses from beginner to advanced, including e-file training. For more technique, follow us on Instagram and TikTok, or browse more guides on the TGB Blog.