Your nails are damaged. Thin, peeling, splitting, breaking at the slightest knock. Maybe from picking off gel, maybe from over-filing at a previous salon, maybe they've just always been weak. You've tried nail hardeners from the chemist and they didn't do anything because they sit on top of the nail. The damage is inside.
IBX is different. It's a professional nail repair treatment that works inside the nail plate, not on the surface. The product penetrates into the damaged layers under heat, bonds together, and fuses the weak areas from within. It's the difference between putting a plaster over a crack and actually gluing the crack back together.
At Aesthete Beauty in Dundee, IBX nail repair is carried out by Radina Ignatova, a professional nail expert with over 11 years of experience whose work has been featured in Scratch Magazine and Who What Wear UK. IBX Manicure starts from £35. Book online any time or call us on 01382 217888.
IBX is a penetrative nail repair and strengthening treatment made by Famous Names. Unlike nail hardeners, strengthening polishes, or topical treatments that coat the surface of the nail, IBX works inside the nail plate itself.
The treatment uses conditioning monomers, small molecules that are able to penetrate into the upper layers of the nail when activated by heat. Once inside, these monomers bond together and form an interpenetrating polymer network. In simple terms, they fuse the damaged layers of the nail together from within, filling in gaps, ridges, and weak spots.
Think of it like this. A cracked wall doesn't get fixed by painting over it. The crack is still there underneath. IBX is like injecting resin into the crack so the wall becomes solid again. The repair is structural, not cosmetic.
The treatment has two components. IBX Repair is the intensive part, targeting specific damage like splits, peels, and breakage points. IBX Strengthen is applied over the whole nail to toughen the overall plate and create a protective internal shield.
IBX can be used on its own as a standalone repair treatment, or applied under gel polish, BIAB, or extensions as a protective base layer. It doesn't interfere with adhesion. If anything, it gives a stronger, healthier foundation for whatever goes on top.
IBX is for anyone whose natural nails are compromised. The damage can come from a lot of different places.
Damage from picking off gel. This is the most common one. Picking or peeling gel polish off takes layers of the nail plate with it. After doing it a few times, the nails end up thin, rough, and fragile. IBX repairs the internal structure that picking damaged.
Damage from over-filing. Some salons file the nail surface too aggressively during preparation. Over time this thins the nail plate to the point where it's weak and flexible. IBX strengthens what's left and helps the nail recover as it grows out.
Naturally weak nails. Some people just have nails that peel, split, and break no matter what they do. The nail plate is thin or the layers don't hold together well. IBX fuses those layers together from the inside, giving the nail more structural integrity.
Transitioning from acrylics. Coming off acrylics after a long time often reveals nails that are thin and damaged from the repeated application and removal cycle. IBX helps them recover faster.
Post-removal recovery. If you've had product removed and your nails feel sensitive or weak, IBX applied before a new set goes on protects the nail and starts the repair process immediately.
As a preventive base. Even if your nails aren't damaged, IBX can be applied under gel or BIAB as a strengthening base layer. Prevention is easier than repair.
For damaged nails, Radina typically recommends a course of weekly IBX treatments for three to four weeks to build up the internal strength. After that you can drop to every two or three weeks for maintenance. Once your nails have recovered and the damaged growth has fully grown out, IBX can be used as a one-off before gel or BIAB application rather than as a regular standalone treatment. How long the full recovery takes depends on how badly the nails were damaged and how fast your nails grow. Most clients see a noticeable difference after two or three sessions.
Nails were in poor condition prior to visiting this salon. I got really informed advice about treatments and how to look after my nails moving forward. So glad I visited. IBX treatment and biab from the lovely Radina. Felt really looked after and she was so friendly. Salon is clean and welcoming and quality products used. Fabulous experience from start to finish. Next 2 visits already booked in.
IBX Manicure from £35. This includes nail preparation, IBX Repair, IBX Strengthen, and a cuticle oil finish.
IBX can also be added as a base layer before gel polish, BIAB, or extensions. Mention it when you book.
All current pricing is in the online booking system. Pick your service, choose your time, done. You can also call us on 01382 217888 or message on WhatsApp.
The treatment is quick and straightforward.
Fresh disposable files and buffers for every client, metal tools cleaned and sterilised between appointments, Radina in gloves throughout. IBX doesn't involve heavy e-file work but any light nail preparation uses the same hygiene standards as every other service at the salon. The Vodex extraction system runs if any filing is needed.
Your nails are cleaned and any existing polish or product is removed if needed. The nail surface is lightly prepped so the IBX can penetrate effectively.
The repair formula is applied to the damaged areas of the nail. Anywhere there are splits, peeling, or visible weakness gets targeted.
Gentle heat is applied to help the monomers penetrate into the nail plate. This is what makes IBX different from surface treatments. The heat opens the nail structure enough for the product to get inside.
The nail goes under the LED lamp to cure the IBX Repair and lock it in place inside the nail.
The strengthening formula is applied over the entire nail surface.
Same process. Heat to penetrate, LED to cure.
At this point the nail has been repaired and strengthened from within. You can have gel polish, BIAB, or extensions applied on top, or leave the nails natural with a cuticle oil finish.
The treatment can be repeated at each appointment for progressive strengthening. Each application builds on the previous one.
If any of these sound familiar, IBX is what your nails need:
IBX isn't a cosmetic treatment. It doesn't add colour or length. It repairs and strengthens the natural nail plate itself. If your nails are damaged and you want them healthy again, this is the treatment that actually addresses the cause.
Radina is always so lovely and welcoming. My nails are always done to a high standard and look beautiful every time!
IBX is a professional nail repair treatment that penetrates inside the nail plate under heat. It fuses damaged layers together from within, repairing splits, peeling, and weakness. It's made by Famous Names and is used in professional salons worldwide.
IBX Manicure from £35. All pricing is in the online booking system.
Nail hardeners coat the surface of the nail. IBX penetrates inside the nail plate and repairs the internal structure. Surface treatments wash off. IBX becomes part of the nail.
Yes. IBX can be applied as a base layer under any nail service. It doesn't interfere with adhesion. It actually provides a stronger, healthier foundation for product to bond to.
Depends on the damage. Some clients notice improvement after one treatment. For more significant damage, multiple treatments over several appointments give the best results. Each application builds on the previous one.
Yes. This is one of the most common reasons clients book IBX. Picking off gel tears layers from the nail plate. IBX repairs the internal structure by fusing those damaged layers back together.
Yes. Even on healthy nails, IBX applied as a base layer before gel or BIAB provides a protective internal shield that helps prevent damage from occurring in the first place.
No. Strengthening polishes coat the surface and wash off over time. IBX penetrates inside the nail, bonds at a molecular level, and becomes part of the nail's structure. It's a fundamentally different approach.
No. That's one of the key differences between IBX and surface coatings like gel or BIAB. IBX absorbs into the nail plate and bonds internally. It doesn't sit on the surface. There's nothing to remove. It stays inside the nail and grows out naturally as your nail grows. You can apply gel polish, BIAB, or regular polish directly on top of an IBX-treated nail without any removal step.
For damaged nails, once a week for three to four weeks to build strength. Then every two to three weeks for maintenance. Once the damage has grown out you can switch to using it as a pre-treatment base before gel or BIAB rather than a standalone appointment. Radina will assess your nails at each visit and adjust the schedule based on how they're responding.
The attention to detail and time taken at each appointment is the reason I go.
Strengthen and protect your natural nails with Builder In A Bottle gel overlay.
Read more →HEMA-free gel polish for chip-free colour that lasts two to three weeks.
Read more →Express and luxury manicures with e-file preparation and OPI polish.
Read more →If your nails are damaged and nothing you've tried has worked, IBX repairs them from the inside. Not a surface coating. Not a temporary fix. Genuine structural repair that makes a real difference.
We serve clients from across Dundee and the surrounding areas including the West End, Broughty Ferry, Newport-on-Tay, Monifieth, Carnoustie, and further afield.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Essential cookies help the site function properly. Non-essential cookies help us understand how you use the site.
Learn more in our Privacy Policy