💅🏻 Nail Polishing

Base Coat

Key Ingredients in Base Coats

• Nitrocellulose: Creates a smooth and adhesive surface for the nail polish to stick to.

• Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin: Enhances adhesion and durability.

• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) or Triphenyl Phosphate (TPP): Provide flexibility, preventing the polish from cracking.

• Calcium Pantothenate: Helps strengthen the nail plate.

• Keratin or Protein Additives: Reinforce the nail structure.

• Micronized Silica or Clay: Smooth out uneven nail surfaces.

• Benzophenone-1: Protects nails from UV discoloration.

Top Coat

Key Ingredients in Top Coats

• Nitrocellulose: Forms a hard, glossy film on the nail surface.

• Camphor or Dibutyl Phthalate: Adds flexibility and prevents the top coat from becoming brittle.

• Polyurethane: Provides a high-gloss finish.

• Silicone Compounds: Create a shiny, slick surface.

• Benzophenone-3: Prevents the top coat and polish from yellowing due to UV exposure.

• Isopropyl Alcohol: Speeds up drying time by helping the solvents evaporate.

• Silica or Talc: Used in matte top coats to diffuse light and eliminate shine.

UV/LED Lamps

Why UV/LED Lamps Are Used?

Unlike regular nail polish that dries through evaporation, gel polishes require curing to harden. This process involves a photochemical reaction triggered by UV or LED light, which solidifies the gel polish layers into a durable, chip-resistant finish.

Lamps drastically reduce drying time compared to air-drying methods. This is especially important for gel polish, as it remains sticky until cured.

Proper curing under a UV or LED lamp ensures that the gel polish bonds securely to the base coat and top coat, preventing premature peeling or chipping.

How UV and LED Lamps Work?

Emit a broad spectrum of ultraviolet light, which activates the photoinitiators in gel polish. These photoinitiators trigger the polymerization process, turning the liquid polish into a hard, glossy layer. UV lamps can cure all types of gel polish but often take longer (about 2-3 minutes per layer).

Emit a narrower range of UV wavelengths that specifically target certain photoinitiators in LED-compatible gel polishes. They cure gel polish much faster than UV lamps, usually within 30-60 seconds per layer. However, not all gel polishes are compatible with LED lamps.

Differences Between UV and LED Lamps

• UV lamps take longer (2-3 minutes per layer).

• LED lamps are faster (30-60 seconds per layer).

• UV lamps cure all gel polishes.

• LED lamps work only with polishes formulated for LED curing.

• UV lamps require frequent bulb replacements.

• LED lamps have longer-lasting bulbs, often lasting tens of thousands of hours.

Both types emit UV radiation, but LED lamps expose users to less UV overall due to shorter curing times.

Applications Beyond Gel Polish

Some modern top coats, particularly gel-based ones, also require curing under UV or LED lamps for optimal results. This ensures a high-shine finish and provides additional durability, making it an essential tool for professional-quality manicures. UV and LED lamps have revolutionized nail care by offering speed, durability, and a flawless finish, particularly for gel-based products.

How They All Work Together

The combination of a base coat, color polish, top coat, and a UV/LED lamp creates a cohesive system for achieving a long-lasting and professional-quality manicure. Here’s how they interact:

Base Coat

The base coat is the first layer applied to the nail. It protects the natural nail, smooths out imperfections, and provides a surface that the gel color polish can adhere to effectively. The base coat also contains photoinitiators that activate under a UV or LED lamp, curing it to a slightly tacky finish. This tackiness ensures that the subsequent color layer bonds securely.

Color Polish

Gel color polish is layered over the cured base coat. Its pigmented formula is designed to maintain vibrancy and resist fading. Each coat of gel polish requires curing under a UV or LED lamp, solidifying the layer and locking in the color. The curing process ensures that the polish sets evenly without smudges or dents.

Top Coat

The top coat acts as the final seal, providing a durable barrier that protects the color polish underneath. It enhances the finish—either glossy or matte—and resists chipping or peeling. Like the base and color layers, the top coat contains photoinitiators that cure under the lamp, creating a hard, protective layer that secures the entire manicure.

UV/LED Lamp

The UV or LED lamp is the key to activating the curing process at every step. The light emitted by these lamps triggers the polymerization of the photoinitiators in the base coat, color polish, and top coat. This process transforms the liquid layers into hardened, durable coatings.

• For UV lamps, the broader wavelength spectrum cures all types of gel products but may take 2-3 minutes per layer.

• For LED lamps, the targeted wavelengths cure LED-compatible products faster, typically within 30-60 seconds.

By working together, these components ensure a chip-resistant, vibrant, and professional-quality manicure that can last weeks longer than traditional nail polish.

What I Avoid

Cuticle Pusher

Buffing

Nail Polish Removal