February 14, 2012
| Article
The clear and dear friend that makes polish removal a snap, and acrylic and gel removal possible, is a bedrock for the nail industry.
Keywords: acetone/removal products nail chemistry Secret Ingredient
December 21, 2011
| Article
Callus softeners are potent liquid formulas applied to heavy callus areas to soften them for more effective pedicure filing. So what exactly is in these softeners? Here’s a profile of three of the most common active ingredients in callus softeners today.
Keywords: callus callus removers nail chemistry pedicures
June 15, 2011
| Encyclopedia
Acrylics refers to any of a group of clear, synthetic resins used to make plastics, paints, etc. Nail enhancements (or artificial nails) made by combining a liquid acrylic product (monomer) with a powdered acrylic product (polymer); the two products form a soft ball that can be molded into a nail shape that adheres well to the natural nail or a tip; once applied, the acrylic hardens into a strong artificial nail that can be filed and buffed to a high shine.
Keywords: acrylics chemicals enhancements liquid-to-powder ratio Lynn Lammers
January 2, 2011
| Encyclopedia
Nitrocellulose is a polymer used in the production of many nail polishes and top coats
Keywords: chemicals nail chemistry polish top coats
December 30, 2010
| Encyclopedia
ingredients that absorb light (usually UV light) and convert it into the energy needed to drive the polymerization process
Keywords: chemicals nail chemistry
December 30, 2010
| Encyclopedia
the measure or level of hydrogen ions (H+) in water-based solutions; used to determine the acidity (pH1.0-6.0) or alkalinity (pH 8.0-14.0) of water-based solutions; pure water has a pH of 7.0
Keywords: chemicals nail chemistry
December 30, 2010
| Encyclopedia
an individual, reactive chemical unit that may be linked to one another to form a polymer; the liquid component in acrylic systems
Keywords: acrylics chemicals enhancements nail chemistry
December 30, 2010
| Encyclopedia
the amount of polymer powder mixed with the monomer liquid; also known as consistency
Keywords: acrylics nail chemistry
December 30, 2010
| Encyclopedia
a general term used to refer to the liquid monomers used in acrylic liquid formulation; the product formed when an organic acid reacts with an alcohol; all nail coating polymers, except for polishes, contain esters
Keywords: acrylics chemicals nail chemistry
December 27, 2010
| Encyclopedia
materials that have been finely ground or pulverized into very small, individual particles; the term typically refers to the polymer powders used to create acrylic (liquid/powder) systems; these substances are usually blends of finely ground methacrylate polymers. Acrylic powder was already in use in dentistry before it was ever applied to nails.
Keywords: acrylics chemicals enhancements nail chemistry
December 16, 2010
| Encyclopedia
The liquid to powder ratio is the balance of liquid monomer to acrylic powder (polymer); it is important that the manufacturer’s recommended ratio be achieved in order for the hardening process to take place; incorrect or out-of-balance liquid-to-powder ratios can cause a variety of problems with acrylic, including yellowing, bubbling, or crystallization.
Keywords: acrylics colored acrylics liquid-to-powder ratio nail chemistry
December 16, 2010
| Encyclopedia
Nanotechnology is defined as the study and control of matter that is sized from one to 100 nanometers. A nanometer then, is equal to one billionth of a standard meter, which equates to being about 100,000th the width of a human hair.
Keywords: chemicals nail chemistry nanotechnology
November 17, 2010
| Article
The findings by three nail industry scientists contradict the conclusions of a medical report that warns of an increased risk of cancer on the hands after exposure to a UV nail light.
Keywords: gels nail chemistry UV lights
August 10, 2009
| Video
Chemist Doug Schoon on the importance of knowing the anatomy of the nail.
Keywords: Doug Schoon nail anatomy nail chemistry
August 10, 2009
| Video
Chemist Doug Schoon discusses understanding the proper meaning of nail industry terms.
Keywords: Doug Schoon nail anatomy nail chemistry
