In the technology of applying a decorative coating, there is a preparatory fluid, which is called differently depending on the manufacturer. These are bond, bonder, ultrabond, primer, pro-bond, prime, nail prime and others. This introduces confusion when combining products of different brands. In a word, this is a primer for nails. What is it for?
"Primer" in translation - a primer. It is applied to the nail to increase adhesion with subsequent material. It comes in several forms and has different functions: a degreaser, a dehydrator, double-sided tape and a tool that raises the scales of the upper layer of the nail.
Primer for varnish coating
In the line of varnishes, many companies produce a primer for better adhesion of the base and keratin of the nail. The use of this special tool can extend the manicure for a week. It is usually called air conditioning and is available for both professional and home use. The leader in the production of nail polishes - the OPI concern - has two products, called by different names: Chip Skip and Bond Aid.
Their difference is in the method of application and the presence of the varnish component in the first tool. The composition for home use in addition to the ester of acetic acid includes wheat proteins and vitamins. In the salon, a professional primer is usually used for all procedures, and the composition for home use is offered to customers. It requires degreasing the nail before application.
In fact, the professional composition of Bond Aid is an acid-free primer. It is used for all operations with nails before applying a decorative coating, including gel polish.
Prep Primer, Acid and Acid Free Primers
There are three types of primers: prep-primer, acid-free and acidic.
The first may be called a "dehydrator." It cleanses the nail from shine, removing all greasy dirt and moisture. Usually it consists of alcohol and has the desired acidity, like a natural nail (it is higher than that of the skin). This tool does not penetrate deep into, does not dry out. With wet nails, it is applied several times to dry the surface of the nail for better adhesion to the material. It is applied to varnish and to prepare the nail for gel polish or extension. It is often applied in front of another primer, so the name of the prep-primer is very suitable for it.
The second is often called a “bond." This is an ethyl acetate-based compound. It acts like double-sided tape. Some brands leave a sticky coating on the nail. It is used before applying gel polish and gel for building. Each manufacturer has its own nail primer for varnishes, gel polishes and gel. It fills microvoids between keratin cells and ensures a snug fit of the material, thereby increasing adhesion.
The third primer contains methacrylic acid. To avoid a chemical burn, it is applied in a very metered, semi-dry brush, barely touching the surface of the nail. It has a high concentration of acid; the bottle says Acid Based. The upper keratin scales of the nail treated with this tool rise up. The surface becomes even more adhesive than the acid-free primer.
Gel Polish Primer
To keep the gel well, a nail primer is needed. The gel has large molecules that alone will not provide good adhesion to the nail. Therefore, an acid-free primer is used that fills all the irregularities of keratin fibers. And already the first layer of the three-phase gel polish system, the base, is attached to the thus prepared nail.
During the drying process, long chains of polymer are built in the lamp. This process is called polymerization. And the primer acts in this case as a double-sided tape: on one side it holds keratin, on the other - the base.
Acid-free primer for nails can be different: leaves an oily trace or not, dries in the air quickly or within a few seconds. How exactly to apply it, usually the manufacturer indicates the bottle. Almost always, it is applied to the entire nail plate, sealing the end face. It does not harm the skin, so it’s not scary if it gets on the roller or cuticle.
Gel extension primer
In gel building, an acid-free primer is also used. It is applied before coating the base, the first phase of a three-phase system. If the coating is single-phase, then the first layer is applied differently. Semi-dry brush rubbing movements achieve a thin layer of the entire nail. After that, a gel is applied, as when stained with varnish, and a hand is sent to the lamp. This method increases grip and prolongs the wearing of artificial turf.
If a nail extension is done, then before the adhesive composition, the surface is also treated with a nail primer.
How to use a primer when sticking tips:
- Degrease the nail with prep-primer.
- Apply a thin layer of acid-free primer to the entire nail plate and air dry.
- Apply glue to the tip contact area and stick to the nail.
Acrylic Acrylic Nail Primer
Acrylic extension primer is used only acidic. They treat the nail carefully, without touching the skin and tips.
To prevent chipping of gel polish from the tips of the nails, they process the end of the nail. In some cases, with hyperhidrosis, it is applied under a gel-varnish decorative coating. So in the manicure room he takes his place.
Public concern over unhealthy components used in the nail industry has led to numerous disputes regarding methacrylic acid, which is part of the acid primer. This is a poisonous substance, but if an acid primer for nails is so dangerous, why is it needed?
Is acid primer harmful
In fact, methyl methacrylates must be distinguished from ethyl methacrylates. The first are really toxic substances that are prohibited for the manufacture of cosmetics. The second is a completely different substance.
In addition, a highly diluted composition is used to treat nails, which, however, if used improperly, can cause a chemical burn of the skin. With careful work of the master, this is impossible, since the primer acts on dead keratin cells. The same composition is used in dentistry and is not satisfactory.
If a drop of acid primer accidentally gets on your skin, immediately wash this area with plenty of running water and soap. If a burn occurs, consult a doctor immediately to prevent possible allergies in the future.
Since acid primer for nails is a professional tool, it does not have a place in a house where there are small children. It is better for an adult to use it only when taking courses on acrylic extensions. In this technology, it is used the most. The instructor will teach how much to draw on the brush, how to outlive it on the edge of the bottle and when to wet the brush again. Professionals can stretch the material on all ten nails with a once semi-dry brush.
Replacement Options
How to replace a primer for nails? Craftsmen, especially in our country, invent many ways to replace technology. They tried to replace the primer. Among the liquids offered at home were vinegar, lemon juice, hand washing with soap, vodka and others. I must say that degreasing can be achieved by thorough washing of hands with soap that does not contain oils. That is, laundry or soap for bleaching during washing. But it will harm the skin, in addition, you will have to dry your nails. Coating on wet nails do not.
As for degreasing vodka instead of a prep-primer for nails, it is not only useless, but also harmful. The water in its composition is absorbed into the nail and it will have to be dried. It is better to use 96% alcohol without impurities, it is more like prep-primer.
Regarding acidity, it should be noted that in a natural nail it approaches 7, alcohol has an acidity of 6, and skin - 5.5. Any introduction of organics will violate the sterility of the coating process, and the introduction of acid is difficult to calculate correctly. Therefore, do not experiment. Nobody is trying to fill a tooth at home. Materials manicurist came from the dental office and require respect for themselves.
Application Tips
The first time the primer is coated, the entire nail is treated. Subsequent corrections also require the application of a primer, but only on the overgrown part of the nail at the cuticle. Especially you need to try not to get them on the tips: they will then crack. Here are some tips for applying a primer to your nails:
- If the nails are soft and flexible, then on the end and the free edge they are treated with an acid primer before applying gel polish. The entire plate before this is treated with an acid-free primer. After two to three weeks, this edge of the nail is simply cut off with a new application. This is done so that the gel polish on the tip of the nail becomes insoluble. If you apply an acid primer to the entire nail plate, the material will also become insoluble. They don’t do that.
- If the nails are susceptible to hyperhidrosis, an acid primer is applied to them under gel polish. Due to the large nail effusion, the material will not stick like on ordinary nails. But using an acid primer will extend the life of a manicure. Opponents of using an acid primer in gel polish technology advise several times to treat a nail with an acid-free primer.
- In the correction after filing off the detachments, open areas of a natural nail are treated: with gel extension - with an acid-free primer, with acrylic - with an acid primer, but only near the cuticle.
Which primer to choose
For a starter kit, the master usually buys those materials with which he worked before and on which he studied. There is a difference in materials produced in the USA and China. They may not be in contact with each other. Therefore, it is best to buy a full line of products from one manufacturer.
This may be a domestic company - Tatneil, for example. Or Formula Profi. Belarusian “Severina” or “Runail” with Chinese materials. The main thing is that all the compositions fit well on each other. And this ideally provides the products of one brand. The manufacturer always goes towards the buyer and informs in detail about the technology of applying his brand on the site.
An important aspect is to purchase only products that will then be easily re-purchased. Our country is so big that sometimes local shops are not able to satisfy all the needs of buyers of nail products. Even if they agree to make an order, they will have to wait, and this is inconvenient. Therefore, in local schools of manicure they will tell you which primer is best for you.
Warning
There are many nuances in using a primer for nails. But the most important thing is not to confuse one remedy with another. To do this, you should understand the composition of the product, which is usually printed by the manufacturer on the bottle. If you have a jar with the words "primer" and the absence of any other identification marks - this is dangerous.
Acquire a remedy from old stockpiles from the time of methyl methacrylates in building - what could be worse? If there is no sign of voluntary certification on the bottle, this may be a primer for artists, not medical supplies. Once on the skin, it can permanently cause an allergy to acrylates.
Conclusion
All well-known brands undergo voluntary certification and have documents to provide copies to the buyer. Fakes do not have them, so you should be wary of shopping through online stores.
Take care of yourself and purchase only proven products with certificates in special stores.