Find out how to degrease your nails before applying a layer of varnish or adding nail extensions.
The process of creating a manicure includes a number of activities. Moreover, the sequence of actions must be followed, otherwise the quality of the manicure will suffer. The procedure for degreasing the nail plates should not be missed. If you neglect this stage, the manicure will be short-lived, since the adhesion between the layers of varnish and the nails will be weak. Sometimes it happens that the degreaser is not available, but it doesn’t matter; it can be replaced with other means. You will learn about them further.
What is a nail degreaser, what is it called, what is it used for?
This product is necessary to remove dust particles and oily layers from the nail plates. This subsequently ensures excellent adhesion to the applied coating. Proven professional products containing butyl acetates are used as a degreaser. In particular, these are Kodi Nail Freshel (degreasing liquid), CND ScrubFresh and others.
Many people confuse degreasers and nail primer and believe that they have the same purpose. This is wrong. Primers are able to remove excess liquid from the nail plates, while degreasers only clean the nails. Therefore, experienced professionals advise using both.
Using a degreaser for nail plates in nail art
Why does the shine disappear after removing the sticky layer?
Sometimes home craftsmen are surprised why the shine disappears after removing the sticky layer, but this is natural:
- If the coating is poorly dried. It may appear to be completely polymerized, but this is not always the case. An old and low-power lamp is not able to properly dry top coat or gel polish. This is manifested not only by the disappearance of gloss, but also by worse durability of the coating in the future. Incomplete polymerization is possible due to too thick layers of gel polish, base, or top coat.
- If the products used for manicure are of poor quality. Most often, this is the case with cheap gel polishes and top coats or counterfeits of well-known brands. They also have a sharper and more unpleasant odor and chip off the nails faster.
- If the cleaner is not suitable for a particular brand of gel polish or finish. Some of the auxiliary fluids are too aggressive and contain acetone. And along with the residual stickiness, the next microlayer of the coating is removed, giving it gloss.
- If you were in a hurry to remove the dispersion layer. Experienced craftsmen recommend taking a break for a couple of minutes after polymerizing the coating for a reason. It should cool down. This doesn't mean your nails will be hot all the time. But you need to wait precisely so that the gloss “settles” on the surface and cannot be removed.
- If a matte finish was mistakenly used instead of a shiny finish. Some products in this series remain shiny after polymerization. And only rubbing with a clinser gives them real texture.
- If you used one napkin at all stages. This saving leads to the fact that after wiping the dried base product, particles of the removed layer remain on it. After processing polymerized gel polish, the amount of debris increases. It turns out that nails with a finishing coat are wiped with a completely dirty napkin, and the sticky layer is simply smeared over their surfaces. Don't be surprised that the top becomes cloudy and loses its shine.
- If instead of a clinser you took a handy alcohol-containing product. Perhaps it is incompatible with a particular brand of top, which is why the coating fades.
You can avoid the problem if:
- paint your nails with high-quality materials;
- at least use a professional product for the finish and not a substitute;
- make sure the base, gel polish, top and cleanser are compatible;
- do not rush to get rid of the dispersion layer immediately after polymerization;
- use a different napkin for each nail and change it for a fresh one at all stages.
Nail degreaser: how to order on Aliexpress?
If you decide to do nail art yourself at home, then you can buy a degreaser for nail plates here on the Aliexpress portal. To find the required category on this site, enter “Nail degreaser” into the site’s search bar. Then decide on the choice of the desired product and order the product.
Aliexpress - degreaser for nail plates
IMPORTANT : When choosing a degreaser on the Aliexpress website, pay attention to reviews about the seller. Buy goods only from reliable traders.
Alcohol
It is very important to replace the degreaser with alcohol. It effectively copes with the task, and will also act as an antiseptic.
It is better to use alcohol above 75%, for example:
The main thing is not to use methyl alcohol, and not to overdo it with the procedure. In addition to pure alcohol from the pharmacy, you can use products based on it.
- formic acid;
- boric alcohol;
- injection wipes;
- hand sanitizer.
The wipes are impregnated with alcohol and made of non-woven material that does not leave lint on the surface. Antiseptics must contain alcohol, otherwise they will not cope with the task.
Also, you can’t ignore triple cologne - it effectively removes any dirt from your nails.
Can you be allergic to nail degreaser?
Unfortunately, a degreaser, like any other solution, can cause an allergic reaction in women. Allergy symptoms are as follows:
- Severe itching
- Redness of the epidermis
- The skin becomes dry and begins to peel after a while
- General malaise, drowsiness
- Fast fatiguability
- Increased temperature (in some cases)
Minor allergenic reaction to degreaser
IMPORTANT : If you experience such symptoms, then replace your degreaser with another one, be sure to consult a doctor, let him recommend effective medications that will alleviate your condition and help you cope with the disease.
What is a nail primer for and what is the difference between acidic and acid-free primers?
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Both bonds are applied before the decorative coating. However, they perform different functions.
Product name | Purpose | Ability to even out the pH balance of nails | The need for a UV lamp for drying | Stickiness of the layer after drying |
Bonder | to strengthen the bond | — | ||
Primer | cleaning and degreasing the plate | — | — |
Considering the sequence of the process of decorating nails with a decorative coating, we can conclude that the primer should be applied first. Only after it has dried, the bonder is distributed over the surface.
Many clients of beauty salons ask manicurists a question: why do you need a nail primer when doing nail extensions?
This tool has three main tasks:
- Providing comprehensive protection of the nail from yellowing, delamination and penetration of fungal microorganisms. If you neglect the primer before nail extensions, then after this procedure a greenhouse effect occurs. And microorganisms that cannot penetrate the gel begin to penetrate the nail.
- Effective adhesion of the extension material to the nail surface. How long artificial nails will last on your fingers depends on the quality of the primer and the correct technique for using it.
- Strong degreasing and dehydration of the nail before extensions.
- An acid-free primer helps the gel polish better adhere to the surface of the nail, which reduces the likelihood of chips and cracks in the coating.
- For those with thin and brittle nails, it is recommended to use an acid-free primer before applying the base coat.
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Methacrylic acid primer was the only option available until 1998, when acid-free primers became available as an alternative.
At the same time, acid-free primers do not cause rapid corrosion of the skin and do not lead to such severe etching of the nail as acidic ones. However, if the acid-free primer gets on the skin, it must be washed with soap.
There is also a pre-primer (aka bond), which acts as a buffer between the nail and the acidic or acid-free primer. It contains no dyes or flavors, which allows allergy sufferers to use this product.
Nail primer also performs a degreasing function, but in addition, it improves the adhesion of the nail to the material, lifting the scales of the upper layers of the nails, and kills harmful microorganisms that can multiply under the artificial surface. Thus, in addition to degreasing, it also has a protective function.
Bonder, bonder or pre-primer degreases the nail plate without affecting its deep layers and is usually used before applying an acidic or acid-free primer (or non-acidic).
Thus, you see that the line between all these products is very thin and often everything is written on one package at once (see photo), so it is best to choose based on the condition of your nails. For example, if your nails are naturally dry, then you shouldn’t overdry them - choose a product for surface degreasing. If, on the contrary, your nails are constantly shiny, it means they are quite oily and require careful dehydration.
Degreaser for nail extensions for gel polish and shellac: hypoallergenic list
Manufacturers usually make universal products of this type. More precisely, degreasers are suitable both for creating gel manicure and for extending nail plates. There are two types of such products:
- Acidic - they are suitable only for women with increased sweating; be careful when applying - do not allow the solution to get on the epidermis.
- Acid-free - these solutions are less aggressive and have a gentle effect on the structure of the nail surface.
Well-known manufacturers of degreasers
:
- Viti Nails
- Kodi
- CLC
- Enjoy
IMPORTANT : When choosing a product, be sure to study its composition and what types of work the degreaser is suitable for.
Rules for choosing a professional product
When choosing professional products, you need to pay attention to the composition. You should find out in advance what degreasers are available in order to choose the right option.
Compound
The choice of product should be made taking into account its composition.
Conventionally, solutions are divided into the following groups:
- Acidic . A pronounced effect is noted. The nail plate is cleaned of the smallest scales. It is possible to provide reliable grip for a long period.
- Acid-free . A gentle option. There is a gentle cleansing of the nails without damaging their integrity.
When choosing, you should take into account the natural thickness of the nails, their strength, and a possible allergic reaction to the components included in the degreaser. The load that will be placed on the coating is taken into account.
If you frequently perform manicures, it is recommended to give preference to acid-free options. If the environment will aggressively affect your nails, you should use acidic products. Their use is justified before a trip to the sea.
Types of professional products
The products used before applying artificial turf are divided into several types:
- Primer . A universal option. With its help, the nail plates are degreased, their top layer becomes looser, providing reliable adhesion. After applying the primer, you should not touch your nails, otherwise all steps will need to be repeated.
- Dehydrator . Belongs to the group of gentle ones. Designed to get rid of excess moisture. It is not as effective as a primer, but its use does not destroy the nail structure. Gel polish is applied immediately after using the dehydrator. You can’t hesitate, because the water balance is restored quickly.
- Klinser . Designed to remove the sticky layer after manicure. Among these tools there are universal ones, so they can be used at the preparatory stage. The main thing is to study the scope of application.
When choosing, you need to rely on your own preferences. Expert advice is taken into account. It is best to purchase products from well-known brands that have a good reputation.
How to make nail degreaser at home?
For good nail art, you will definitely need a degreaser. It is used:
- When filing nail plates
- To remove natural gloss from nail plates
- Before starting the process of applying the coating and creating a pattern on the nails
- Before applying the last layer
- To remove the sticky layer from the nail plates
- After completing the creation of the required nail shape
The following products are suitable as a degreaser at home:
- Vinegar . Try not to use this product frequently as it may damage the structure of your nail plates.
- Boric acid . It can be bought at any pharmacy kiosk.
- Cologne . Just not eau de toilette, triple cologne will do just fine.
- Acetone . Frequent use of this solution may cause damage to your nails.
- Alcohol . Medical alcohol is used. However, in some cases, due to its use, nails dry out.
- Lemon juice . When using this natural remedy, make sure that the liquid is free of pulp residues; to achieve this effect, strain the squeezed juice through cheesecloth.
What can replace degreaser?
No one will argue with the statement that to achieve an ideal result you will need high-quality, preferably professional, cosmetics for degreasing nails. But if you don’t have them on hand, what can you use instead of degreaser for gel polish?
- The most popular and most affordable way to degrease nails is with ordinary nail polish remover, which contains the familiar acetone among the ingredients. Before use, carefully read the composition of the product; it should not contain oils. Otherwise, you will achieve the exact opposite effect. Do not forget that frequent use of acetone negatively affects the condition of the nail plate;
- Alcohol works well as a degreaser. It simultaneously disinfects and removes makeup residue from nails. However, with regular use it dries out the nail plates greatly. Pure medical alcohol is not so easy to get, so a solution of boric acid, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, is suitable;
- Specialists in beauty salons often resort to using a product such as “Bacillol”; it has good reviews from both ordinary users and professionals. Suitable for processing not only nails, but also tools.
Boric acid solution
However, no matter how effective and good all of the above products are, they cannot compare with professional cosmetics. Therefore, their use should be resorted to in the most extreme cases.
The drug "Bacillol"
Judging by consumer reviews, products from manufacturers such as Domix and Severina are in greatest demand. They supply the degreaser in small bottles, but it lasts for a long time.
Dish detergent
Boric acid: can it be used as a nail degreaser?
This pharmacy product, which is also inexpensive, can be used without fear. Thanks to its composition, boric acid copes well with the process of cleaning nail plates and degreasing them. The main thing is to use the solution correctly:
- To clean your nails, use napkins rather than cotton swabs so that the lint does not remain on the treated surface.
- After the process, do not touch the nail plates, otherwise you will upset the sweat-fat balance, and you will have to carry out the treatment again.
Nail degreaser - boric acid
note
The primer cannot be used as a substitute for a bonder, because otherwise the shellac or gel polish will simply come off the nail.
Home remedies will appeal to anyone obsessed with saving. Among them there is something that can be used instead of nail degreaser. They are always on hand or can be bought at the nearest store, but such methods of removing fat harm the nails, destroying their acid balance.
Purchased products are much higher in price, but are more effective and provide a guarantee of quality, and some even have the ability to care for and restore the nail plate.
Acetone as a nail degreaser
Acetone also works well for cleaning and degreasing nails, but experienced nail technicians do not advise using it often, as damage to the top layer of the nail plate may occur. If you use nail polish remover as a degreaser, use only those that do not contain oils. Otherwise, degreasing the nails will be unsuccessful. It is also necessary that these liquids contain acetone; without this component, the degreasing process is impossible.
Acetone for nails
After these tips, you can choose your own degreasing agent for nail plates. And yet, no matter how good homemade substitutes are, professional ones are still better. After many years of practical experience, nail art masters claim that it is more respectable to use special degreasers.
Why do nails need to be degreased?
The natural surface of the nails is well moisturized and covered with a lipid film formed in the nail bed and the stratum corneum of the plate. In addition to natural lubrication, marigolds, like a sponge, absorb moisture from the outside and absorb fats and oils even better. The plate also contains tiny dust, particles of dying skin and even microbes.
If you perform a manicure on such nails, it will not last long, the coating will initially lie unevenly, and the sealed dirt will cause inflammation. That is why the surface of the nail must be thoroughly cleaned.