Once you have had a BIAB set, the next question is when to come back. For most people the answer is every three to four weeks. Here is why, and how to tell when you are due.
Why BIAB needs an infill
BIAB does not chip off the way polish does. It stays put and grows out with your nail. As your nail grows, a gap appears at the base, near the cuticle, and the strongest part of the overlay (the apex, the slight curve that takes the pressure) moves towards the tip.
That shift matters. The weight of the overlay ends up further out than it should be, which puts strain on the nail and makes it more likely to crack or lift.
What happens at an infill
An infill is not a full removal. Asteria files back the existing BIAB to slim it down, tidies your cuticles, then fills the regrowth at the base and builds the shape up again so the apex sits in the right place. You can change your colour at the same time.
Because most of the product stays on, your natural nail is not soaked in remover every few weeks. That is one reason BIAB helps nails grow.
Signs you are due
- You can see a clear gap of growth at the base of your nails.
- Your nails feel heavier at the tips, or catch on things more.
- The edge of the BIAB has started to lift near the cuticle or at the sides.
- It has been four weeks, even if they still look fine.
Why three to four weeks?
Nails grow at different speeds. Fingernails usually grow around three millimetres a month, and a little faster in summer. If yours grow quickly, three weeks may suit you better. If they grow slowly, you might stretch to four. Asteria can suggest the right gap for you once she has seen how your nails grow out.
What if you leave it too long?
Going a week over is rarely a problem. Going much longer is when things go wrong:
- Lifting. Water and dirt can get under a lifted edge, and the overlay starts to come away.
- Breaks. With the strength sitting too far out, a knock can crack the nail, sometimes below the free edge where it hurts.
- Temptation. A lifted edge is hard not to pick, and picking takes layers of your own nail with it.
If your BIAB has lifted badly, a full removal and a fresh set may be better than an infill. Mention it when you book, or choose "Removal and tidy" alongside your new set so there is time.
Making it easy
The simplest way to keep on track is to book your next infill before you leave the studio, or straight away online. Pick a day three to four weeks ahead and it is done.
