Okay, I’m the first to admit that although I love getting my nails done (gels, acrylics, BIAB – you name it, I’ve done it), I haven’t always invested as much time, effort, or money into the ‘removal’ side of things. Yep, I have vivid (and scarring) memories of peeling off my acrylics and gels, thinking it would be easier and quicker than leaving it to the pros – and of course, my nails being left in a frankly abominable state. Maybe you can relate. Or maybe, even more upsettingly, you’ve done the responsible thing and entrusted the removal to pro – only for the process to be less than satisfactory, and for your nails to once again be damaged seemingly beyond repair.
If all of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Damage from improper removal of gel nails is pretty common, and can result in brittle, dry, weak nails; as well as causing pain to the nail and nail bed.
We asked Tabby Casto, a North London Based Nail Tech, to tell us all about IBX – a repairing and strengthening treatment that can help with all of these issues. Here’s what she told us.
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1 The problemIf you’ve ever had Gel Nails – you’ll likely have experienced the undeniable temptation to peel and pick to your heart’s content (despite your nail tech’s fervent urge against it). Or, perhaps you’ve experienced a less-than-perfect gel removal at a salon? You know the kind – you’ve put your hands and trust in the professionals, only to be left with over-filed, splitting nails – maybe your nail bed is even left cut or bleeding.
You might decide to “give your nails a break” and go without colour gel or polish for a few weeks, hoping that the nail beds return to the state they were in before the removal. After two weeks, though, they don’t seem to have improved. If anything, they start to split and weaken even further. Sound familiar?
Well, I’m here to tell you that this is not okay. Your nail tech’s job isn’t just to make your nails look pretty – they have an obligation to care for your natural nails, and educate and encourage you to do the same. So, if you are unfortunate enough to have an experience like this, it might just be time to find a new nail tech. Of course, that still doesn’t solve the problem of your nails, and what appears to be irreversible damage. Fear not though, because there is a solution, and something that we can do when the damage is “done”, so to speak.
The answer? IBX.
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2 What is IBX?
IBX is the brainchild of Jim and Linda Nordstrom (aka Famous Names). Linda started her career as a salon owner and later became an educator and advocate of nail techs worldwide. Jim is also a professional in the industry, with over 35 years working in Research and Development. Together, they noticed a gap in the market for a product that would reverse the damage caused by poor gel removals – thus, in 2014, IBX was born.
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3 How is IBX applied?
IBX is a two-step treatment. It can be applied on its own, which gives an end result of healthy, strengthened, natural nails, or it can be applied as an add-on treatment, prior to your usual regular or gel mani.
1 – The first step of the treatment is IBX Repair. This is a clear solution, which is applied specifically to vulnerable, damaged areas of the nail. This is then placed under a heat lamp for a minute to allow the solution to melt into the nails.
2 – The nail is then blotted to get rid of any excess product, then cured under a LED or UV lamp, and then cleansed.
3 – The second step of the treatment is IBX Strengthen – another clear layer that is applied to the nail. This is essentially the superstar of IBX – the ingredients work together with heat and UV/led lamps to penetrate the nail bed, and fill in the gaps and cracks of damaged nails.
4 – This layer is then placed under the regular heat lamp for 4 minutes, after which the nail is blotted again.
5- The IBX Strengthen layer is then also cured under a UV/LED lamp, and cleansed once more.
Your nail tech may apply either one or two layers of IBX Strengthen, depending on the damage to your nails, the number of times you’ve had the treatment before, or whether it’s going to be followed by a gel polish treatment.
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4 Why IBX?
When faced with damaged nails, one common ‘remedy’ is to buff the nail plate until the damage appears smooth. This can be detrimental, though. The process of buffing can thin the nail plate layers further – weakening them, and making them even more susceptible to breaks, splits, and even infections.
It can also be tempting to stick to your usual treatment, and try to cover the damage with gel or acrylic overlays. This only hides the issue of a weak nail plate until it comes time for another removal – at which point, the thinning process starts all over again.
IBX is unique in its ability to actually penetrate the nail plate, which means it can strengthen the nail plate from within. It works to fill in and repair the damage caused by improper gel removal, and unlike other products, doesn’t use formaldehyde. This means that nails are left feeling flexible and healthy – not brittle.
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5 How many treatments are needed?
For those with extremely weak or damaged nails, it can take between 1-2 treatments per fortnight, for a few months, to fully repair the nail and nail bed. Otherwise, though, one treatment per month can be enough to keep nails strong and healthy, even underneath gel nails. IBX isn’t just for damaged nails, either. It can also be applied as a strengthening protecting layer to help prevent future damage. Think of it as insurance for your nails. Combine with your fave cuticle oil and you’re all set.
So, next time your nails are feeling less than their best – whether that’s after a regrettable removal, giving into temptation and picking away your gels, or just washing your hands too much (thanks, COVID) – don’t despair. Instead, head for an IBX treatment and give your nails the love they deserve.
With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover amazing salons in your area.
Written by Tabby Casto – IBX Ambassador and North London Based Nail Tech
