New Gen BIAB™ FAQs & Troubleshooting | TGB Academy

Nov 6 / TGB Academy
New formula, new questions? Get to know New Gen BIAB™ with our expert troubleshooting guide, covering application, lifting, flooding, heat spikes, curing, removal and more.

New Gen BIAB™ FAQs & Troubleshooting: Everything You Need to Know

New builder gel formula, new questions — we've got you.

New Gen BIAB™ has a slightly thinner viscosity, improved self-levelling properties and a new C-curve brush, so if you've been working with Original BIAB™ for years, you may notice a few differences when you first start using the new formula.

From flooding and lifting to a tackier inhibition layer, we're answering your most common New Gen BIAB™ questions and troubleshooting the things you might experience along the way.

But first, one very important reminder:

New Gen BIAB™ is TPO-free and CONTAINS HEMA.

It is not HEMA-free and should not be confused with our dedicated TPO & HEMA Free BIAB™ formulas.

Now, let's troubleshoot.

New Gen BIAB™ Feels Thinner Than Original BIAB™. Is This Normal?

Yes, completely normal.

New Gen BIAB™ has a slightly thinner viscosity than the previous Original BIAB™ formula, alongside improved self-levelling properties. This means you may notice that the product moves and levels more quickly during application. This is an expected characteristic of the new formulation and doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your BIAB™.

TOP TIP: Use controlled amounts of product, work one nail at a time and give the formula time to self-level rather than overworking it.

My New Gen BIAB™ Keeps Flooding the Cuticle or Sidewalls. What Should I Do?

Are you applying your builder layer over an uncured slip layer?

Our recommended BIAB™ application method has always been to fully cure your base layer before building your overlay.

Because New Gen BIAB™ has a slightly thinner viscosity and improved self-levelling properties, applying your builder layer over an uncured slip layer can increase product movement and the risk of flooding into the cuticle or sidewalls.

TRY THIS:
Fully cure your base layer before building your overlay, use a controlled amount of product and work one nail at a time where necessary.

Apply your base layer → fully cure → build your overlay → fully cure.
Always check the cuticle and sidewalls before curing and never allow uncured product to come into contact with the surrounding skin.

My New Gen BIAB™ Is Moving Too Quickly. How Can I Control It?

New Gen BIAB™ has improved self-levelling properties, so you may notice more movement than you're used to with the previous Original BIAB™ formula.

First, make sure you're fully curing your base layer rather than working over an uncured slip layer. Then consider how much product you're using. You don't need to compensate for the slightly thinner viscosity by using more product.

Work with controlled amounts, build one nail at a time and allow the formula to self-level before curing.

Why is My BIAB™ Lifting? What Should I Check?

Lifting can occur for a number of reasons, so start by looking at the full service rather than assuming there's an issue with the formula.

Your checklist:

• Was the nail plate thoroughly prepared?
• Was all non-living tissue removed?
• Was the nail correctly dehydrated and cleansed?
• Did any product touch the cuticle or surrounding skin?
• Did the product flood before curing?
• Was the correct structure created?
• Was the recommended TGB Lamp and curing protocol used?
• What is the condition of your client's natural nails?
• Does your client have a history of retention issues?

Then consider whether your client's individual nail type may benefit from additional support, and if so, include a layer of Rubber Base prior to product application.

My Prep is Correct, But My Client’s BIAB™ Is Still Lifting. What Should I Do?

Not every client's nails will perform in exactly the same way.

For certain nail types, pairing New Gen BIAB™ with a compatible base coat can help improve longevity and retention.

Consider using Rubber Base underneath New Gen BIAB™ for clients with:

• Weak natural nails
• Damaged natural nails
• Flexible natural nails
• Nails prone to lifting
• Nails prone to breakages
• Naturally oilier nail plates
• Oilier hair and skin
• A history of retention challenges

Always assess your client's individual natural nails and service history to determine the most suitable system.

New Gen BIAB™ is compatible with Rubber Base.

Do not use New Gen BIAB™ with Bond Base or 2-in-1 Base.

Why Is My Client’s BIAB™ Lifting Around the Cuticle?

Lifting around the cuticle area can often be linked to preparation or product placement.

Check that all non-living tissue has been thoroughly removed from the nail plate and that the nail has been correctly dehydrated and cleansed before application.

Then check your application. Has any uncured BIAB™ touched the cuticle or surrounding skin? Could the product have moved into the cuticle area before curing?

Remember, New Gen BIAB™ has improved self-levelling properties and may move more quickly than the previous formula.

Fully cure your base layer, work one nail at a time where necessary and always check around the entire perimeter of the nail before curing.

Why Is My Client’s BIAB™ Lifting or Chipping at the Free Edge?

First, assess the finished structure and the client's natural nail.

Ask yourself:

• Is there sufficient structure for the client's nail length?
• Is the apex correctly positioned?
• Has the product been applied too thinly?
• Is there excessive product at the free edge?
• Are the client's natural nails weak or particularly flexible?
• Is their chosen length suitable for their natural nail condition?
• Is the client regularly prone to lifting or breakages?

Although New Gen BIAB™ has a slightly thinner viscosity, this does not mean the finished overlay should have less structure.

Build the appropriate structure for your client's individual nail length and condition.

For clients with weak, damaged or flexible nails, or those prone to lifting and breakages, consider pairing New Gen BIAB™ with Rubber Base.

Is it Normal for New Gen BIAB™ to be Tacky After Curing?

Yes.

You may notice that the inhibition layer with New Gen BIAB™ feels tackier than with the previous Original BIAB™ formula.

This is completely normal and is a characteristic of the new formulation.

If you have applied New Gen at the correct thickness and followed the recommended curing protocols using a TGB Lamp, a tackier inhibition layer does not alone indicate that the builder gel is under-cured.

Always remove the inhibition layer before refining.

Is It Normal for My Client to Experience a Heat Spike?

A heat sensation can occur as gel polymerises during curing, and the level experienced can vary between clients and services.

Factors including the amount and thickness of product applied, as well as the condition of the client's natural nails, can influence the heat experienced during curing.

Check that you're applying controlled amounts of product and creating the correct structure without excessive bulk.

Always follow the recommended curing protocol using the TGB Lamp.

Why Did My Client Experience a Heat Spike When They Haven’t Before?

The heat sensation experienced during curing isn't necessarily identical at every appointment.

Product thickness and the condition of the client's natural nails can influence what they experience during polymerisation.

Review the amount of product applied and assess the client's natural nails at every appointment rather than assuming their experience will always be the same.

Learn more about how to avoid heat spikes with builder gel and gel.

Why Do I Have to Refine My BIAB™ More Than Normal?

Let the formula do some of the work for you.

We’ve formulated New Gen BIAB™ to self-level more effectively, so repeatedly manipulating the product isn't always necessary.

Use a controlled amount, create your structure, turn the hand over to help create the apex and allow the product to settle before curing.

The better the structure created during application, the less you’ll need to refine the builder gel afterwards.

How Do I Use the New C-Curve Brush?

If you've worked with Original BIAB™ for a long time, it's normal for the new brush to take a little getting used to.

The C-curve brush perfectly complements the thinner viscosity and improved self-levelling of New Gen BIAB™, giving you more control and precision during application.

Avoid overloading the brush and work with controlled amounts of product as you become familiar with the new application experience.

Do I Need to Use Rubber Base Under Every New Gen BIAB™ Service?

No.

New Gen BIAB™ has a built-in base coat and can be applied directly to the natural nail following the recommended BIAB™ preparation and application process.

However, for certain nail types, pairing New Gen BIAB™ with Rubber Base can help improve longevity and retention.

This may be beneficial for clients with weak, damaged or flexible nails, clients prone to lifting or breakages, or those with naturally oilier hair and skin.

Assess each client individually and select the most appropriate system for their natural nails.

Can I Use New Gen BIAB™ for Nail Extensions?

No. 

New Gen BIAB™ is designed for natural nail overlays and should not be used to create nail extensions. 

New Gen BIAB™ should also not be used underneath DesignEx Pro™, ProForm™ or GelPot systems. 

Always follow the recommended system for your chosen extension service. 

How Do I Remove New Gen BIAB™?

The recommended soft BIAB™ removal process remains the same.

However, different builder gels can look and feel slightly different as they break down during soak-off due to their individual formulation characteristics.
The TGB PRO Hub houses application guides for all systems.

Love the detail? Find out the differences between soft BIAB™ and hard BIAB™ formulas.

Why Does My New Gen BIAB™ Look Different During Soak-Off?

New Gen BIAB™ may have a more crystalline appearance as it breaks down and may require a slightly longer soak-off time than Original BIAB™ as you get used to the formula.

This is completely normal and doesn't change the recommended removal process.

Never force, peel or aggressively scrape product from the natural nail if it hasn't sufficiently broken down.

Is New Gen BIAB™ HEMA-Free?

No. New Gen BIAB™ CONTAINS HEMA.

New Gen BIAB™ is TPO-free, but it is not HEMA-free.

TPO and HEMA are different ingredients, and a product being TPO-free does not mean that it is automatically HEMA-free.

If you require a builder gel made without HEMA, choose from TGB’s dedicated TPO & HEMA-free BIAB™ formulas: Hard BIAB™, Fibre BIAB™ and TPO & HEMA-Free BIAB™.

Can I Use New Gen BIAB™ on a Client With a Known HEMA Allergy?

No. New Gen BIAB™ contains HEMA.

It should not be used on a client with a known HEMA allergy.

Clients with known or suspected acrylate allergies should seek appropriate medical advice.

Mastering New Gen BIAB™

Remember that New Gen BIAB™ is a new formulation, so it's completely normal to notice some differences if you've been working with Original BIAB™ for years.

The key things to remember are:

New Gen BIAB™ is TPO-free and CONTAINS HEMA.

It has a slightly thinner viscosity, better self-levelling properties, a new C-curve brush design and a tackier inhibition layer after curing.

Follow the recommended BIAB™ application method, fully cure your base layer before building your overlay, assess every client's individual nail type and select the correct system for their needs. Once you've got used to how New Gen BIAB™ moves and levels, you're ready to make the most of the next generation of Original BIAB™.

Already trained in BIAB™ but looking to refresh your skills or convert to TGB systems? Book the BIAB™ Conversion Course for BIAB™ training online and master the icon.