Introduction to Acrylic Nails
Nearly every woman on the planet has at least HEARD of acrylic nails.
These have been used to artificially enhance the appearance of natural
fingernails and have been quite popular for several years. Acrylic nails
include a variety of product types. These are press on nails, sculpted
nails, and nail tips.
The very first acrylic nails were created in the early 1970’s in the
form of press on nails. These were pieces of plastic that were molded
into the shape of a human fingernail and were glued on over the natural
nails. The problem with these nails is that they really did not look
natural and did nothing at all to actually strengthen the real nails.
Even with these drawbacks, different versions of the press on nails were
still sold as long as 30 years later.
Advanced modern technology now offers nail enhancements that are more
natural in appearance and have the ability to bond with the real nail.
First attempts in developing these nail enhancements employed the
identical plastic resin that is used by the dental industry to create
false teeth. This resin is called acrylic and is made with a mixture of
liquid and powder which forms the thick paste. When you visit the salon
to have acrylic nails added, the manicurist will smooth the paste over
the natural nail and let it dry. This resin dries and hardens to form a
rather durable finish which is filed into whatever shape is needed. Due
to allergic reactions in too many people, dental acrylic is not
used any longer, however improvements made in the resin chemistry has
virtually eliminated the problem. So, today, the acrylic chemistry is
used to make many different nail enhancements. These include nail tips,
sculpted nails, and wraps.
Artificial nail enhancements, or acrylic nails, are made from acrylic
plastic. The name “acrylic” is a generic term for the kind of plastic
that is developed from a chemical known as methacrylate. While there are
a variety of acrylic resin types that are based on different
methacrylate molecules, the chemistry is somewhat alike. Sculpted nails
uses the acrylic made by a monomer liquid reacting with a polymer
powder. The monomers in the liquid are microscopic chemical units that
interact when they are mixed with the chemicals in the polymer powder.
They then join with each other in a head to tail way to make long fibers
known as polymers.
To adjust the plastic’s consistency, a powdered polymer is added to
the liquid. Powdered polymer that is used in acrylics is a really long
name called polyethylmethylmethacrylate or PMMA. The PMMA produces a
rather hard and inflexible plastic. However, it can be mixed with softer
polymers to make if more flexible. When the monomer liquid and polymer
powder are mixed together, crosslinking occurs to make a stiff netlike
structure. These polymer strands will eventually dry to make a hard
resin. This is what is used to make a fingernail.
The future of nail enhancement will be decided by several factors. To
begin with, cosmetic chemists who make the acrylic nail compounds will
most likely keep creating new formulas with better properties. One of
these might be an improved molding ability and more resistant to
chipping and breaking. Consumers and nail technicians can have a large
influence on the development of acrylic nail products simply by
demanding a particular style or type of nail products. Of course
government regulations can always have an important impact on the future
of all nail products. There have been various state legislatures which
have put forth laws that regulate other parts of the cosmetics industry.
These are laws that limit chemicals called volatile organic compounds
that are used in hair sprays, deodorants, and other products used for
personal care and hygiene. Things could change drastically regarding the
way sculpted nails will be made if these same laws are stretched to
include the nail industry.
Knowing a bit of the background in how acrylic nails are made can
help to understand the process of how they can actually replace your
fingernails. It’s good to realize this when you watch the nail
technician apply this special mixture to your nails. You will find that
if you understand the process you may feel more confident about the
potential success of your nails.
Always do your best to choose a reputable nail technician so that you
are not only getting great and sturdy nails, but getting them in as safe
an environment as possible. The application of acrylic nails must be
done in just the right way for them to act as if they are your true
nails. Many things can go wrong if the application is not done in just
the right way. One of the best ways to find the right nail technician is
to ask your friends who are proudly displaying acrylic nails. They will
be thrilled to share this information with you. |
