Is there an alternative to builder gel for nails and is this normal?

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I have and have always had very soft nails that split/break vey easily. I find it difficult to grow them and for special occasions I’ve had acrylics.

A few months ago I commented on my hairdressers very lovely natural looking mid length nails and she said she had been having builder gel on them for a few months, inspired by this I booked an appointment.

I have now had 4 appointments each 3 weeks apart.

The first time I returned I had lost 7 of the nail covering and my nails were shorter than before.

The second time I lost 3 of the nails and they broke

The third time I lost just 2 but not until the day before the appointment and only one nail broke.

I had my fourth appointment on Tuesday and lost 3 of the nail coverings yesterday. One started lifting hours after the appointment, another has started lifting overnight and it looks like I will lose that one today

When I say lost them, they seam to lift and peel off entirely, the don’t cause any damage to the nail itself but obviously is then has no strength/protection and breaks easily.

I’m quite disappointed as I have finally seen a very small amount of growth and my nails do look nice/neat painted but I’ve been paying almost £50 per visit and the gel doesn’t last between the three weekly appointments.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? If there anything I should/shouldn’t be doing to prevent the peeling?

if there anything I can do from home that will give a similar effect without the £50 charge every 3 weeks?

I’m going to try and book in this week to have the 3 I’ve lost re-covered but I think I might be better looking for an alternative option.

Thank you for any advice/ideas

I have builder gel and find it really hard wearing. I’ve never had lifting like that.

can you try a different nail bar?

Watching this with interest as I had my first BIAB nails around a month ago and they've been absolutely fine. A couple have a bit of colour chipped off at the top now but otherwise no lifting at all. I'm the same as you with nails that break really easily. Other than wearing rubber gloves when I clean/wash up, I haven't done anything particular to protect them.
I'll be interested in other responses, I wonder if I've been lucky or you've been unlucky?! I was wanting to get mine redone at some point.

I started having builder gel applied about five months ago, as a strategy to break my really severe biting habit. It has been fantastic. No issues with peeling except some minor lifting as the side when my nails were so severely short that the gel didn't have a robust enough anchor.

The only time I lost part of one nail was due to compulsive picking on my part (linked to the previous biting of course.

When the gel was removed and replaced, we were able to see that the nails underneath were strong and healthy, as well as being lovely and long.

I'd say, go to another salon. One with credentials/reputation. But it will also be important to look at the problem you have with weak nails. Eat lots of jelly! Gelatine is packed with nail-protecting nutrients.

Japanese manicure. Wax and Polisher.

Thank you, it sounds like it could be the application rather than my nails then? It’s tricky as I went to the same salon I always go to for my hair, eyebrows etc and have future appointments booked.

I hadn’t heard of that, I’ve just googled it and that could be an option, thank you!

Yeah that’s not right at all. They’re meant to last and I never had an issue with peeling or lifting, even when I left them for weeks.

Though I know they’re meant to strengthen nails but I stopped getting them 6 months ago and my nails have been weak since even though I had quite strong nails before.

There are several brands but with Bomesel brand you can put nail varnish on the top ans it will stay on. I used that method for years. I have very weak nails but I don't want to use UV/LED for obvious reasons and dip powder method is terrible for nails...

I get IBX rather than BIAB now. I also have very soft nails and the IBX is very effective.

I agree whoever is doing your BIAB is messing it up, id usually get 3 weeks from it. My salon offer free repairs for the week after applications and would be so embarrassed if it was them.

I had BIAB nails done in the summer (July). They lifted very quickly and then I got fungal nail infections under the ‘lifted’ parts. 8 of my nails ended up with a fungal nail infection. The damaged nails are only just finishing growing out now. I will never get BIAB again!

I don’t know what I’m more bothered about - the fact you continued to sink money into something that clearly wasn’t working (either through unsuitable nails or poor application) …

… or that your salon for whom you are a loyal and regular customer continued to take your money at these repeat appts

..you’ve been royally ripped off there. Is there a salon owner/manager? I’d be having a word

It’s either the application or your nails.

The only way to find out is to go and try somewhere else recommended.

My friend doesn’t get on with BIAB at all. We’ve been to the same nail tech and have completely different experiences. Hers just lift and peel.

She now has dipping powder nails after trying other salons and having the same reaction. My nails love BIAB and are long and strong now.

ewww I’d never use that salon again 🤮

There is an owner who I have a hair appointment with tomorrow, I’m planing on mentioning it and also asking if I can have the 4 I’ve lost this week repaired while I’m there. They are closed today sadly or I would have called today.

Both the owner and their staff are absolutely lovely and are continuously updating their training. The lady I have booked my nails with is usually pre booked for weeks which is why I presumed it was me rather than the service but it seams that losing the covering isn’t a normal thing. Thank you

That’s interesting, perhaps trying elsewhere next time is my best option, thank you

I feel like they aren't curing the nails long enough with the builder gel if it is peeling off. What I would say is, builder gel never worked for me and would chip/come off. I just get normal gel every 3 weeks - I probably stretch it even longer now if I'm honest.

It could be every 2 weeks if you feel you would benefit from this... It would likely be the same cost as BIAB every 3 weeks.

Also I'd try a different salon/speak to the individual who is doing your nails. I did this before and it was because the lamp needed changed.

Another question, the salon books a builder gel infill but during my appointment they remove the last appointments product with an electric file and restart from fresh. I’m not sure if this is what they always do or if they do it because I’ve usually lost a few nail coverings?

Previously if I’ve had acrylics elsewhere and go back for a infill it’s been exactly that an infill not a new set.

Should it be an infill?
Thank you

I have just done a course in BIAB application and the trainer said two things.

gel nails lamps should be replaced after 6 months of constant use in a salon. And two the nail should be wiped with acetone, then have dehydrator applied, then protein bind or acid free primer BEFORE the BIAB touches the nail. She said if this process isn’t followed the nails won’t last nearly as long as they should. She noted her clients come for infills every 3/4 weeks and mostly all nails are still intact.

If a lamp is PAT tested it means it’s over a year old as electrical equipment under a year doesn’t require it.

I would go somewhere else, ask if they use protein bond / acid free primer and dehydrator. If not find somewhere that does and see if there is a difference.

just cancel with your salon and say you are giving your nails a break for a while

For me it has always been an infill except for one occasion when I wanted to revert to a clear finish.

Also, removal with an electric file doesn't sound quite as it should be. For me, the top surface of the gel was removed with a file, and then the nails were soaked in acetone, so the file didn't actually reach the niail surface at all.

when I started BIAB I had the same problem, lifting within days etc. I changed nail tech and never had a problem since. Would recommend trying elsewhere as it is very hard wearing

I get BIAB and normally go every 5 weeks. No chipping at all. Very occasionally there might be a slight bit of lifting on one finger, from picking at all sorts with my nails. I definitely don't treat them delicately! I went 10 weeks this time last year when the person that does mine had time off to have a baby. They were long, but still looked good.

Okay that’s cool. I think sometimes people are too scared to complain but complaining doesn’t mean being a Karen

it could just mean that the nail tech just hasn’t come across someone that it’s not suitable for before, maybe something is funky with a product, maybe some more training or policy needs to be done… it can be so helpful to let someone know when there is a problem.

it could to be fair absolutely be you… I guess for most people these issues aren’t normal and you are just not suitable for this particular treatment and that’s okay…

… but it’s not okay the tech kept charging you full whack for it - it should have been a free redo the first time and then at the second fail … hey this probably isn’t working let’s try an alternative

Sounds like a terrible salon.
should only cost about 30 quid.
and shouldn’t be lifting.
i to every 4 weeks or so. They grow out but they definitely shouldn’t be lifting

You need a different nail technician.

I had mine done with BIAB in the summer for the first time in my life. I love them so much I’ve carried on every 3-4 weeks, they never break or lift. I never thought I’d be an old woman getting beauty treatments but for £34 these give me so much joy!