Telling you how to prolong the durability of gel polish and what a primer for nails and double-sided tape have in common.
A primer is a nail polish, usually of a liquid texture, which cleans, degreases, and dries the nail plate without creating a separate coating (unlike, for example, a base for nails). The primer is usually used in nail salons.
There are two main types of primers for nails: acidic and acid-free.
Acidic primers are formulated to be aggressive and can harm weakened nails. In addition, the composition, if used incorrectly, sometimes leads to skin burns. Therefore, you should not use it yourself in manicure, it is better to leave this tool to professionals. An acidic primer helps them slightly soften the surface of the nails and, due to this, "lift" some scales from the upper stratum corneum, so that later when applying nail polish or gel polish, the adhesion is more reliable.
Acid-free primers are ideal for a home manicure. This is a softer product, the action of which is to change the pH of the nail plate: it will become approximately the same as that of artificial coatings. Acid-free primers (you can search in stores by the non-acid mark), thanks to this, are often compared to double-sided tape - nail polishes and gel polishes are attached much better on top.
Bonder is also used to prepare nails for a manicure. This is not the same as a primer, although the tasks of the two products are very similar. Bonder also improves the bond with artificial turf and at the same time performs protective functions. On the surface of the nail, it forms a sticky film, which is dried under UV rays in a lamp, just like gel polishes.
The base of the acidic primer is methacrylic acid, which is contained in this product in high concentrations (about 80% of the formula). This is what provides the composition with such a strong effect on the nails. The acid dries them quite strongly, so such primers are recommended to be used only on strong, durable nails that grow healthy. In addition to acid, such primers contain, for example, ethyl acetate, which is a substance that is a solvent; it is added to cosmetics that are supposed to cleanse and degrease. Ethyl acetate also contains acetic acid ions, which have a softening effect on the skin.
In acid-free primers, accordingly, there is no methacrylic acid. This reduces the effectiveness of the formula, but at the same time makes it safer - you can apply it even on weak, thin nails without fear for the future state of the nails.
A nail primer is needed to prepare the base for further application of decorative coatings (for example, gel polish for nails) and to protect the nail plate from the effects of chemical components "from above".
The primer is used when applying gel polish to enhance adhesion, that is, the adhesion of the nail plate with an artificial coating. Simply put, many masters call it "double-sided tape", which reliably holds the gel polish in particularly vulnerable places: along the edges and at the end of the nail.
The most important thing to pay attention to when choosing a primer is the acid content in the composition, depending on which it can be called acidic or acid-free. The acidic primer is 80% methacrylic acid and, if used incorrectly, can cause skin burns and disrupt the structure of the nail plate. Therefore, it is intended for professional extension use. An acid-free primer is suitable for applying gel polish at home, which only temporarily changes the pH balance of the nail plate. When buying, look for the non-acid inscription on the bottle.
Many beginners are confused by the presence of such products as a bonder, nail prep, and others, which, according to their description, perform all the same functions as the primer. Indeed, many manufacturers release the same formulation under different names, which causes confusion and makes it difficult to choose. For the first time, it will be enough to remember that if there is an inscription “acid-free” on the bonder or primer, this is the very “double-sided tape” to increase the resistance of the gel polish.
It is not critical for a beginner to confuse a nail primer with a base. The first is used mainly in salons, while the base is a tool that is mandatory when creating a manicure by both a professional master and an ordinary "user" at home.
In addition, the primer can be distinguished by its texture: it is usually liquid, almost like water, while the base has a viscous texture, like ordinary nail polish. Applying a base is a necessary step when performing any type of manicure; you cannot find a replacement tool for it. The primer is used mainly in nail extensions to separate their surface from the dense texture of the gel.
The most important thing to pay attention to when choosing a primer is the acid content in the composition, depending on which it can be called acidic or acid-free.
Do you use a nail primer? Share your experience in the comments.
