How to Remove BIAB at Home – Step-by-Step Guide

BIAB (Builder in a Bottle), a gel that adds added strength to nails, is a product often used by professionals for manicures and nail extensions. Yet someday you have to remove Builder gel at home. Whether you’re just switching up your nail colour, maintaining, or want to give your nails a break, it’s essential you remove Builder gel the right way to avoid damage to your natural nails. In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about how to remove biab at home.

Tools You’ll Need

We’ll talk about how to remove BIAB at home in just a few steps. But first, you need to make sure that you have the following at hand:

• Acetone (Pure Nail Polish Remover): Acetone is your best solution because it helps to disintegrate the gel. Be sure to get pure acetone, not the diluted one.
• Nail File (Coarse Grit): Using a coarse file can break the top layer of the Builder so that the acetone can seep in easily.
• Foil wraps or cotton balls: Acetone can be kept in place using cotton balls or foil wraps. Foil wraps are preferable since they keep the acetone in contact with the Builder gel for a longer period.
• Cuticle pusher: After soaking, a cuticle pusher is used to gently lift off the BIAB. A nail polish spatula can also be used.
• Nail buffer: A nail buffer makes the nail surface smooth after the BIAB has been removed.
• Nail oil and moisturiser: Nails and cuticles following acetone use can be dry, making rehydration and moisture restoration necessary after use.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove BIAB at Home

Step 1: File the Top Layer

The first step in how to remove BIAB at home is to reduce the thickness of the product. This is important for the acetone to work effectively on the gel. Take a coarse grit nail file and sand down the top layer of the Builder gel gently. Do not file aggressively, as that will risk damaging your natural nails.

Pay attention to the layers above the Builder gel or the natural nail and start taking away the shiny parts without filing too deeply into them. In this case, the target is to let the nail product soak into acetone while minimising the stress your nails endure.

Step 2: Soak Cotton Balls in Acetone

After the top layer of the Builder gel is filed down, it is time to soak it in acetone. Take a cotton ball and submerge it into pure acetone until it is fully saturated but not dripping, before placing it directly onto the nail and making sure every area is covered. This will enable the acetone to break down the Builder gel.

Step 3: Wrap Your Nails in Foil

To encourage the Builder gel to break down further, you will have to contain the acetone. Wrap pieces of foil around each finger after placing the soaked cotton ball under each nail. The wrapping aids in creating a sealed enclosure that helps speed up the process by trapping heat and moisture.

If aluminium foil is not available, plastic wrap can work, or you can buy nail-specific foil wraps from beauty stores. Most of the time, foil works best.

Step 4: Let It Soak

Once the nails are wrapped in foil, let them soak for around 15-20 minutes. The acetone will start to dissolve the Builder gel, softening up the material and making it easier to remove during this time.

This allows time for your nails to relax but set a timer for 15 minutes to check on them. It takes more or less time to completely soften the gel depending on the thickness of the BIAB.

Step 5: Remove the Foil and Cotton Balls

After the soaking time has passed, remove the foil wraps and cotton balls from your nails. You should notice that the BIAB has softened significantly and may begin to lift off with minimal effort.

Step 6: Gently Push Off the BIAB

Using a cuticle pusher or an orange stick, gently push off the softened BIAB. Be sure to do this gently to avoid damaging your natural nails. If there are still bits of BIAB remaining, you can reapply acetone and soak for another 5-10 minutes.

If the BIAB doesn’t come off easily, do not force it. Instead, re-soak and try again. Rushing this step can cause damage to your natural nails.

Step 7: Buff and Smooth the Nail Surface

Once all the BIAB has been removed, your nails may look a bit rough. Use a nail buffer to smooth the surface of your nails. Buffing will help remove any residual gel or roughness and prepare your nails for the next manicure.

Be sure to buff lightly to avoid thinning the nails. Overbuffing can weaken the nail plate.

Step 8: Rehydrate Your Nails

Acetone is dehydrating, so it’s vital to rehydrate your nails and cuticles after stripping BIAB at home. Use a replenishing nail oil or cuticle oil to help rehydrate and maintain healthy nails.

You can also use a thick hand cream, to keep your hands soft and hydrated. Your nails should be on a break from products after taking off the BIAB too, so don’t stick anything else on top immediately.

Conclusion

For people who enjoy doing their manicures at home, knowing how to remove BIAB at home safely and effectively is a must-have skill. So once again, follow these steps, try to be patient throughout the process, and be successful in achieving Builder gel removal without damaging your natural nails. And finally, ensure that you nurture and protect those fingers, taking your hand care just as seriously as the removal itself.