Does BIAB ruin your nails? (2023)

Is BIAB good for your nails?

So, is BIAB polish good for nails? Short answer: Yes. Natural nails can benefit from trying the BIAB technique over other manicures. Plus, the application and removal process is less likely to damage your nails than classic styles like acrylics, gel or dip powder.

The flexibility of builder gel does mean that they are less likely to cause a breakage. If you use a soak off formula, you can minimise damage during the removal, too, as less filing and buffing will be needed. However, that's not to say that acrylic is particularly bad for nails!

Why is it better than acrylic? The BIAB is a lot thinner when applied to the nail so it isn't as heavy on the natural nail helping them grow longer and keeping your natural nails healthier.

"As a rule of thumb, BIAB will last around three to four weeks – then it can be either soaked off and re-done, or infilled. To fully restore damaged nails to perfect health, we'd recommend regular appointments for around 6 months, for the nail to fully re-grow.”

BIAB™ should be buffed first and then soaked off using neat acetone. This can take between 10 and 12 minutes but this time may increase if extensions are longer or if a higher apex is built.

Most gel clients can easily go 3-4 weeks between fills. However, it can be beneficial to start out with 2-week intervals until you see how she is adapting to her nails. As time progresses the intervals can be extended to 3 or 4 weeks.

Because acrylic is generally a stronger material than gel, it tends to last longer, however, if your prep work was done correctly and the nails are taken care of, gel nails can last just as long if not longer than acrylic nails.

BIAB stands for 'builder in a bottle', and is also referred to as 'builder gels'. With builder gel, you can create the same look, hardness and strength as acrylic or SNS nails, without damaging the natural nail underneath (as much).

It goes without saying, but don't ever pick off gel, BIAB or acrylic because you risk peeling away layers of the natural nail, causing thin, brittle and sensitive nails that have to be grown out.

Is BIAB good for nail biters?

They can also be built up to create an extension where length might have been lost from biting. BIAB is much stronger and resistant to biting than natural nails, which means your nails will be able to (finally) recover and grow longer if your a nail biter.

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Question: Having always been taught to apply a 'biab' type product in 3 layers and cure fully between each layer.

Nail builder gel works by repairing and strengthening the nails. It can help to fill in cracks and breaks in the nail surface, making them appear smoother and more even. The gel also helps to strengthen the nails by helping to grow healthy new nail cells.

Can I extend with BIAB™ ? Absolutely! BIAB™ extends beautifully over nail forms and creates a strong, restorative extension which not only does not damage the nail - but actually enhances it's strength and growing capabilities.

With BIAB™ you can really strive for a thickness of 1 mm. This makes it possible to offer a thinner and therefore natural and beautiful nail without looking like an artificial nail, and now let that be exactly what the customers want.

The great news is that builder gel is 100% soak off in pure acetone. And if removed correctly, it will not damaged your nails no matter how long you have been doing your nails. It is important to remember that there are a few steps to do so that you can easily remove them.

You are done. Lather your nails in cuticle oil and leave to soak for 10 mins or so. For biab, (Builder In A Bottle) please follow the above steps. It will take longer, but the best thing to do is to file off as much as you can initially before you wrap your nails up.

Of course it doesn't give you immediate longer nails but within a few weeks you will be surprised by how much they grow! In fact some of my acrylic ladies who have had B.I.A.B on for the past 8 weeks have found their natural nails are now the same length as what their acrylic nails were!

For gel nails, take a break for a week at least once every eight weeks to allow the nails to rehydrate and to allow repair of the underlying structures. “An emollient applied directly to the nail and cuticle oil will also aid recovery,” said Batra.

The reason being is, any dust and debris caused by the buffing needs to be removed. If it stays under the gel polish then you might get lifting. So use a lint free wipe and 91% alcohol to clean up those nails. Before you apply the gel polish you're going to need to dehydrate the nails using primer.

Can you put nail polish over builder gel?

Great news for all nail enthusiasts. You can paint over gel nail polish with regular nail polish. Not only is it possible, but it is frequently done. Many people paint over their gel nail polish to spice up their look or to hide a chipped nail from prying eyes.

A basic manicure, with the right polishes, is the healthiest for your nails. When we say the 'right polishes' we mean the best nail growth polish or breathable nail polish. The harsh chemicals in many polishes often degrade our nails. Using an organic polish that contains vitamins, is the best way to avoid damage.

Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.

While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack. You'll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.

One of the biggest advantages of dip nails is their longevity. Whilst acrylic nails tend to last between two to three weeks before needing a touch-up at the salon, dip nails can last up to four weeks. Dip nails also last longer than gels.

Opt for gel, shellac, BIAB, or another semi-permanent option when it comes to your short nails manicure. They'll stay perfectly glossy and remain chip-free for the duration of your mani (around 2-3 weeks).