November 20, 2012
| 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
November 20, 2012
| Encyclopedia
Ingredients that absorb light (usually UV light) and convert it into the energy needed to drive the polymerization process.
Keywords: chemicals nail chemistry
November 20, 2012
| 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
November 20, 2012
| Encyclopedia
Nitrocellulose is a polymer used in the production of many nail polishes and top coats.
Keywords: chemicals nail chemistry polish top coats
November 20, 2012
| 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
November 20, 2012
| Encyclopedia
The amount of polymer powder mixed with the monomer liquid; also known as consistency.
Keywords: acrylics nail chemistry
November 19, 2012
| 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
August 31, 2012
| Article
Does our environment change how we do nails? Do techs living in climates where it dips into double digits below zero work differently than techs who live where it’s nearly 100 degrees with 80% humidity?
Keywords: acrylic troubleshooting effect of weather on nails gel troubleshooting gel-polish nail chemistry
June 8, 2012
| Encyclopedia
Oligomers are short chains of monomers.
Keywords: gels nail chemistry
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
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
August 10, 2009
| Video
Chemist Doug Schoon on the importance of knowing the anatomy of the nail.
Keywords: Doug Schoon nail anatomy nail chemistry
