There are many different substances chemically classed as “alcohols” and only a few of them are volatile enough to dry your skin. Hand lotions normally contain non-volatile waxy alcohols, with names like cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and so on. These waxy alcohols won’t dry your skin; in fact, they’ll condition it. If volatile alcohols are used in lotions at all, it’s only at very small percentages, either as part of the fragrance blend or as trace processing leftovers in nutrient or botanical extracts. So there’s no need to worry if you see “alcohol” on a lotion label. — Paul Bryson is director of research and development at OPI.
Technique
More FAQ
What methods and type of equipment do I need for paraffin treatments?
I want to start doing paraffin treatments on my manicure clients, but I’ve never done this before. I’ve heard some techs use a crock pot for warming the paraffin. What methods and type of equipment would you suggest?... read more
Why do my clients' acrylic nails look discolored?
I am a new tech and have noticed that two of my clients who have been wearing acrylics for more than three months have discolored nails. One client’s nails look gray and the other’s nails have a yellow-orange tinge. What am I doing wrong?... read more
Should I apply more than one coat of primer before applying gels?
I applied one coat of gel on natural nails, and the gel peeled off the next day. Should I have used more than one coat of primer? The only preparation I did was to buff the shine off of my client’s clean nails, dust, apply a bonder, then one coat of gel, and let cure. What am I missing?... read more
How do I correctly apply tips? I am either getting bubbles or the tips pop off.
I am feeling frustrated because I have trouble applying tips. I am either getting bubbles or the tips pop off.... read more
How do you get a client to stop picking the acrylic at the cuticle?
How do you get a client to stop picking the acrylic at the cuticle?... read more
How can I place the acrylic so that the wide tips will look right?
Some of my clients have nail beds that are wider than the widest (size 0) tips. How can I place the acrylic so that the tip will look right?... read more
How can I keep my manicure implements from dulling?
How can I keep my manicure implements from dulling?... read more
How can I lay acrylic on a nail without it going onto my client’s cuticle?
I’m a newbie. How can I lay acrylic on a nail without it going onto my client’s cuticle?... read more
At what point in a pedicure do you use the hot towels and how?
At what point in a pedicure do you use the hot towels and how?... read more
Is acrylic causing curling nails?
I have an acrylic client whose nails have been healthy for many years. Recently, one of her thumbnails has begun to curl upward, about ¾ of the way up from the cuticle, toward the tip, but still well into the nail bed area. Each time I see her, it has curled more. I keep the nail trimmed as short as possible to avoid her pulling it on accidentally, and I keep it capped with acrylic (she doesn’t want me to remove the acrylic unless I absolutely have to.) It seems like the acrylic is not adhering to her thumbnail as well as it should. I don’t know if it’s because it’s short and she’s using it differently, or if it has something to do with the curling. Please advise.... read more
I had a client who is a runner, and her toenail was on the verge of coming off. What should I do?
I had a client who is a runner, and her toenail was on the verge of coming off. She wasn’t in any pain, but she wanted to try to have it look nice for an upcoming event. What should I do?... read more
How can I use an e-file to remove soak-off gels without overheating the nails?
I heard you can use an e-file to remove soak-off gels because it is faster, but when I try this technique the nails are getting too hot. Is there something I can do?... read more