If you happen to’ve been on nail insta these days, you’ve most likely seen “BIAB” manicures taking on. The identify stands for Builder In A Bottle, and it’s being referred to as the proper center floor between gel polish and acrylics. It’s stronger than gel, gentler than acrylics, and with a shiny, pure end that lasts for weeks. It guarantees stronger, longer-lasting nails with much less injury. Seems like a dream, proper?
However with each new magnificence pattern comes one large query: is it protected in your nails?
To seek out out, I spoke with Faustina Martins, an expert nail technician at Tina’s Nailbar, who broke down precisely what BIAB is, the way it works, and what to look out for earlier than reserving your subsequent appointment.
What Is BIAB?
BIAB is a builder gel out there in a bottle. Not like common gel polish, which is pretty skinny, BIAB is thicker, self-levelling, and designed to construct up a structured overlay on the pure nail. It may well additionally restore ridges, assist weak or brittle nails, and generally be used for brief extensions.
It’s utilized utilizing strategies much like gel polish (layers, drying underneath UV/LED lamps), however extra ability is required to make sure a fair construction, correct thickness, and clean edges. The removing course of can also be extra delicate than with acrylics.
Is BIAB Higher Than Gel Polish and Acrylics?
BIAB tends to last more than common gel polish, sometimes about 3-4 weeks, due to its thicker construction. It resists lifting, chipping, or peeling greater than normal gel nails. It provides strength to natural nails. The additional layer protects nails from on a regular basis put on; for weak or splitting nails, it’s typically gentler than acrylics.
Acrylic nails often contain extra aggressive submitting, sturdy odours (from monomers), and heavier chemical publicity. BIAB is lighter in odor and sometimes much less harsh throughout each utility and removing.
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After I requested 5 totally different girls about their expertise with BIAB nails, they beautiful a lot mentioned the identical factor: it’s price it.
One person wasn’t precisely thrilled about her previous experiences with gel or acrylic nails. They’d chip, fall off, and generally even harm. Plus, they’re at about the identical worth level as BIAB, but they left her pure nails weak and brittle, even once they appeared to develop a bit. However ever since she switched to BIAB, she’s been hooked.
She’s had them on for over two months now, they usually’re nonetheless going sturdy. In response to her, her pals who’ve tried BIAB say the identical factor: stronger nails, fewer breaks, and 0 ache.
One other felt the identical manner. She says she’s by no means going again to gel or acrylics as a result of BIAB makes her pure nails stronger and look effortlessly cute. She additionally loves how versatile they’re. You possibly can trim them, begin recent, or allow them to develop out with out the drama. In her phrases, “I’m loving each little bit of this BIAB nail journey.”
Is BIAB Protected?
Though BIAB provides advantages, some dangers are vital to grasp. None are assured, however poor processes or frequent, careless use elevate them.
BIAB formulation typically include acrylates (like hydroxyethyl methacrylate). Some individuals are delicate or allergic to those, which may trigger redness, itching, lifting of the nail, or extra severe dermatitis. If the product is utilized to the encircling skin or cuticle, or if uncured gel stays, the chance will increase.
Curing BIAB requires UV or LED lamps. These lamps emit ultraviolet radiation, which is related to dangers of pores and skin ageing, DNA injury, and probably elevated most cancers danger, particularly with frequent, repeated publicity over time. Research are considerably blended: danger is mostly thought of low, however the cumulative impact isn’t totally recognized.
A literature overview discovered that whereas UV nail lamps emit UVA that is mutagenic, the carcinogenic danger from occasional use is low. Precautions like utilizing broad-spectrum sunscreen or protecting gloves are beneficial.
