Well-groomed female manicure is the visiting card of its owner. But maintaining the beauty of nails is a laborious process. Therefore, many ladies prefer building or coating manicure with gel polish. But, as you know, beauty is first of all health. This expression is also relevant for manicure. How to maintain healthy nails by subjecting them to regularly indicated procedures? A cosmetic product such as a primer will help. In our article we will talk about what it is, what it is for, and how to use it. In addition, we will answer the frequently asked question about whether to dry the primer in the lamp.
What is a primer?
A primer is a clear liquid that resembles water or gel in consistency. Depending on the type, such a tool has a different composition (more about the types of primer below). It is intended for use in carrying out procedures such as nail extensions with acrylic, gel or strengthening them with persistent gel polish. What are the functions of a primer? First of all, it degreases and creates a rough surface of the nail plate by raising the scales. This helps to increase the adhesion between the nail and the material for building.
In addition, the primer kills microorganisms, thus preventing the appearance of various fungal diseases of the nail plate, which is covered with building material or shellac.
Is it necessary to use a primer?
You can meet masters in nail extensions who do not use a primer. According to them, such a tool is ineffective, the result of its action is invisible, and the cost is overpriced. But, as they say, they do not save on health. In medicine, cases of the development of fungal diseases have been noted, which formed just as a result of the fact that a primer was not used during nail extension. After all, the moist environment that forms on the surface of the nail plate under a layer of artificial “non-breathing” material is beneficial for the development of various pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, under the extended nails it is quite difficult to suspect the development of the disease in the early stages. More often, girls seek medical help only when artificial material was removed and obvious symptoms of a fungal infection were discovered: discoloration of the nail plate, unpleasant odor, soreness, redness, and others. To resolve such problems will require a long expensive treatment.
Also note that without a primer it is impossible to achieve strong adhesion of artificial material to the nail plate. And this means that the acrylic or gel coating peels off much faster than when using such a tool.
Thus, a definite answer can be given: it is recommended to use such accompanying material for building during the procedure of modeling nails with artificial material. At the same time, it is important to observe the technology for applying such a substance, and it is also necessary to first clarify in the instructions how to dry the primer of the purchased brand.
Types of Primer
Today, there are various types of primers. They differ in composition and mechanism of action on the nail plate. According to the specified characteristics, two types of agent are distinguished: acidic and acid-free primer. Let's consider each view in more detail.
Acid primer
The basis of this tool is methacrylic acid. Its content in the primer, depending on the manufacturer, reaches 95%. To date, there are disputes about the safety of such a substance, in particular, studies have proved the toxicity and carcinogenicity of methacrylic acid. Getting on the skin, this substance causes a chemical burn, therefore, it is necessary to apply the nail product, following the technology exactly. At the same time, the proper use of such material cannot be harmful to health.
How does an acid primer work? The tool penetrates the nail plate, while drying and degreasing it. In addition, the active substance has the ability to raise the scales of the nail, which increases the surface roughness, and therefore contributes to better adhesion of the artificial material to the base. Such a tool is recommended for use with acrylic material. Sometimes it is used for gel building.
Experts do not recommend using an acid primer during the gel polish application procedure, since in this case you can do with a less aggressive agent, which we will discuss below.
How to use such material for nail extension? The composition is applied with a brush to the nails previously turned with a special file in such a way as to prevent the substance from getting on the skin. Then they expect the appearance of a white coating - this means that the product has completely dried up and you can proceed to modeling nails with acrylic or gel. Whether the primer needs to be dried in the lamp, or is it not necessary, is indicated in the instructions.
Acid free primer
An acid-free product contains only 5% methacrylic acid. Therefore, it is more gentle, but when building acrylic is ineffective, as it does not dry out the nail plate. Use such a primer for gel polish or gel building. When working with such materials, the tool effectively copes with its task - degreasing and drying the nail to improve adhesion between the layers.
Since the acid-free primer contains a small amount of methacrylic acid, it does not cause skin burns. Nevertheless, when applying the product on the nail, the procedure should be carried out according to existing technology. In this case, is it necessary to dry the primer in the lamp? Such a tool dries in the open air for 3-4 minutes and takes the form of a wet film.
Do I need a primer when coating with gel polish?
Often, both novice experts in the field of working with shellac, and clients of nail salons, the question arises: do I need a primer for gel polish? There is no definite answer to this question - each master determines the need to use such a tool on his own. Nevertheless, we note that when using a primer, the coating lasts much longer. In addition, the possibility of developing fungal diseases on the nail plate under a layer of gel polish is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is better to use a shellac primer.
Bonder or primer?
You can often hear that the primer is called a bonder. In fact, these are two completely different means, differing both in composition and mechanism of action, purpose. Bonder is compared with glue or double-sided tape, which secures the artificial material on the nail plate. Such a tool is applied to a dried primer layer (acidic or non-acidic). The bonder is not able to degrease and dry the nail, eliminate microorganisms on the plate.
Cost
How much does a primer cost? The price depends not so much on the type of such a product as on the volume and brand of the manufacturer. So, the acid primer "Cody" will cost 150 rubles per 10 ml, and the same product brand "Victory" - 300 rubles per 12 ml.
Many believe that another primer will cost less. The price of an acid-free product is sometimes even higher. So, the Naomi product costs 180 rubles per bottle (12 ml), while the Gel Oil Prep Step 2 of the American manufacturer will cost no less than 700 rubles (15 ml).
Primer Manufacturers
Consider the advantages of primers of the most popular manufacturers in our country:
- The Ezflow brand offers its customers a wide range of materials for nail extension, including acid and acid-free primers. The products of this brand are manufactured on the basis of modern scientific developments, are of high quality and safety. The company produces both primers designed exclusively for one type of extension (acrylic or gel), as well as universal ones that can be used for both the first and second materials.
- Products of the Cody brand are in demand not only for decent quality, but also for low cost compared to other brands.
- Materials for nail extension of the domestic company Runale are in demand not only in Russia, but also in European countries. This brand is one of the few that produces UV primers, that is, those that need to be dried in a lamp.
Thus, we talked about what the described material for nail extension is, examined the advantages and disadvantages of various types of this tool, and also answered the question of whether the primer should be dried in a lamp. Now you can safely go to the procedure of building up or coating with gel polish, without fear for the health of your nails.