Degreasing nails before applying gel polish: review of products

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Svetlana Pavlikhina

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Gel polish is a durable coating. The procedure for performing such a manicure is quite complicated. You need to know all the intricacies of technology so as not to be disappointed. Degreasing deserves special attention. It’s worth figuring out what you can use to degrease your nails before applying gel polish.

Is it necessary to degrease your nails before applying gel polish?

Many fashionistas wonder whether it is necessary to degrease the surface of the nail before applying gel polish. The answer is clear - yes . Without performing this procedure, the desired result cannot be achieved.

Moisture and residues of any substances on the nail plates prevent uniform baking, which is why the manicure is short-lived. The coating begins to peel off after just a few days.

How to replace degreaser at home

If you don’t have a special composition at hand, you can resort to other means that have a similar effect. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the two most common non-professional degreasers.

Boric acid instead of a degreaser before extensions

Boric acid is the simplest and most affordable product that can be used to degrease nails before the extension procedure. An alcohol solution can be purchased at any pharmacy, and it will perfectly remove all remaining oil from the nail.

Alcohol

Alcohol is most often used for this purpose, as it both removes fat and helps remove various oil-based cosmetics. Also has a disinfecting effect. But this liquid dries out the skin and the plate itself too much, and it is not recommended to use it constantly.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

When to apply degreaser and to do it correctly?

Using a primer is a fairly simple procedure. It should be done after filing the natural nail, but before applying the first layer of varnish or gel. Degreasers are usually sold in bottles with brushes, just like regular nail polish. Apply the composition in the same way, taking a small amount onto a short brush. When covering the nail, it is important to consider that the product should not come into contact with the skin, and therefore apply it 2 mm from the side ridges and cuticle. If the primer does get on the skin, it must be removed urgently.

After application, the degreaser must dry. This usually takes about 10-15 seconds outdoors, but there are products that require curing under a UV lamp.

Home Remedies Review

You can replace nail degreaser with various improvised means. It is worth considering which of them can be used at home.

Alcohol

You can degrease your nails with alcohol. This is an affordable, effective remedy.

Among its advantages is its disinfecting effect.

When applied, the damage caused by polishing is disinfected while the cuticle is removed. But alcohol has one drawback: it dries out the surface greatly, so it should be used rarely.

Boric acid

Boric acid will help carry out the preparatory procedures. It is based on alcohol, but does not act so aggressively on the nail plates. Its frequent use is also not recommended due to its negative effects on the skin and nail plate.

Lemon acid

Citric acid or lemon juice is often used for degreasing purposes. The results of such actions vary. A solution based on citric acid is not able to remove excess moisture, so thorough drying is necessary before performing a manicure.

The lemon itself often leaves microparticles on the surface, leading to peeling of the coating, and the acid it contains corrodes the nails.

Soap and water

Regular soap can be used. The main thing is that it does not contain moisturizing components. It is enough to briefly immerse your hands in soapy water and then dry your nails.

Instead of soap, a degreasing dishwashing detergent is often used. When using it, special attention is paid to the side ridges and cuticle.

Formic alcohol

The product can be used for degreasing. You should remember safety precautions. All actions must be performed with gloves.

Formic alcohol is an aggressive option; it dries out the skin and all layers of the nail plate. It is used in exceptional cases.

Vinegar

Ordinary table vinegar can remove oily shine and dirt from the nail, and dries out the surface. But its effect is quite aggressive, so the product is rarely used.

Nail polish remover

It is necessary to take into account the composition of the liquid: if it contains acetone, then it can be used for degreasing. In the presence of oils and glycerin, the desired result cannot be achieved: an oil film forms on the surface, preventing strong adhesion.

Cologne

The most ordinary triple cologne will cope with the task.

You should not clean your nails with eau de toilette, because it contains many perfume additives that prevent the artificial material from reliably fixing.

Types of degreasers

There are a large number of products on sale designed to remove oily shine from nails. There are single-phase products, and there are multifunctional liquids that are used for cleansing, evaporating liquid from nails, and removing the adhesive layer after polymerization of gel polish.

Nail degreasers are divided into three categories:

• clinsers;
• dehydrators;
• primers.

Types of clinsers

Cleaners are most often universal liquids that remove moisture only from the surface of the nail plate, without penetrating into the deeper layers of the nails. They disinfect nails well due to their alcohol content.

Severina

Severina nail degreaser is one of the universal liquids. The product is often used at home and by beginners. The price of Severina degreaser starts from 70 rubles per 100 ml. Most users speak well of this product. Professional hairdressers note the reappearance of oily shine after a minute, which is considered a short time interval.

De Lakrua Cleaner-Sanitizer

The product is considered one of the varieties of clinsers. Available in a variety of bottles ranging from small bottles of 80 ml to volumes of up to 1000 ml. The advantage is the affordable price, which depends on the volume of the product purchased. The product with a volume of 80 ml can be purchased for 81 rubles.

Used:

• for degreasing;
• removing the sticky layer;
• cleaning professional brushes;
• before gluing tips and forms.

Rio Profi

Rio Profi is a two-phase degreaser: removes dirt and the sticky layer after the gel. Produced in Russia, Rio Profi is a professional product that has received many positive reviews from customers. A 200 ml bottle costs 180 rubles.

Types of dehydrators

The dehydrator removes dirt and dust from the nail plates. Unlike clinser, it dries the nail well, penetrating into the lower layer of the nail plates and removing all excess moisture. Thanks to dehydrators, the decorative coating lasts longer. Under the influence of the product, acidity and water balance are quickly restored, so the nails do not deteriorate.

Cannot be used by girls with dry nail plates.

IBD Dehydrate

The dehydrator from this company is sold in bottles that look like varnish. There is a special brush inside that makes it easier to use and apply the product. After 5 seconds, the dehydrator is completely dry, ensuring complete removal of moisture. Buyers note the economical use of the product and good degreasing. The cost of a small bottle is 635 rubles.

CND

The CND company produces the Nail Fresh dehydrator; it is a universal liquid that can be used for both professional coating and simple varnish. It degreases well and removes moisture from the lower layers of the nail. The product does not harm the nail plates, even with constant use. 29 ml of the product can be purchased for 824 rubles. Reviews say that Nail Fresh meets all the characteristics and is not harmful.

Patrisa Nail

The product removes moisture and dirt well; the product contains components such as isopropyl, isobutyl acetate, and ethyl acetate. On sale it is found in transparent 8 ml bottles, with a brush screwed into the cap for more economical use. The cost of one bottle is 204 rubles.

Video “Properties of Profi Prep”

The video explains in detail the differences between a cleanser and a dehydrator.

Primers

Primer is a product that many people use instead of a degreaser. The primer is able to degrease and dry the nails, but the main purpose of the primer is to lift the scales of the nail plate and loosen the top layer.

According to their composition, all primers are divided into two types:

1. Acid nail degreaser - contains methacrylic acid, which eats away dirt and lifts keratin scales. During use, you should avoid getting the product on the cuticle, as the acid can cause redness and burning. Acid degreaser is most often used before acrylic nail extensions, as well as for cleaning very oily nail plates. After drying it turns white, so it does not affect the color of acrylic powder.
2. Acid-free - used before gel nail extensions, as well as before applying gel polish. An acid-free degreaser is suitable for almost everyone; it is considered gentler and does not cause irritation. The action is similar to double-sided tape.

For home use, it is best to buy a primer that does not contain acid.

Kodi Ultrabond

The acid-free type of primer provides good adhesion and long wearing of the decorative coating. Manufacturer in the USA, the primer is available in 15 ml bottles, costing 450 rubles. The liquid lasts a long time, and the reviews from the experts are only positive.

IBD STICK PRIMER

IBD is an acid primer that has widely proven itself among manicurists. The product should be applied twice; hands must be disinfected before application. The primer dries quickly, after which a white film appears on the nails. The cost of the product varies between 890 rubles, manufactured in the USA.

IRISK Tango Bond Prime

The primer is acid-free, produced in China, the cost of the primer is 265 rubles. Most girls note the good adhesion of the natural nail to the decorative coating.

Table "Types of primers"

In the table you can see the main advantages and disadvantages of primers differing in composition.

Rules for degreasing nails

To properly degrease your nails, you need:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a towel. It is recommended not just to rinse your brushes, but to keep them in warm water for about five minutes. During this time, the cuticles soften.
2. Using a pusher spatula, push the cuticle to the base of the nail.
3. Remove dead tissue with scissors or a trimmer.
4. Using a ceramic or glass file, sand the surface and remove shine.
5. Remove dust with a brush.
6. Dip the brush into degreaser.
7. Squeeze excess onto the edge of the bottle.
8. Apply the product to each plate, moving from the cuticle to the edges.
9. Wait time for the solution to dry.
10. Apply base protective coating and gel polish.

When performing these manipulations, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. To apply liquid in the absence of a brush, use lint-free wipes. Cotton pads cannot be used for this purpose, because small fibers remain on the surface, which will cause the coating to lie unevenly and the manicure will look untidy.
2. Each nail should be wiped as thoroughly as possible, paying attention to the hole.
3. After removing the fat, you should not touch any objects. Also, do not touch the nail plates with your fingers.

Can a primer or bonder be used instead of a degreaser?

Any of these products will clean the nail plate and prepare it for coating. But only a degreaser guarantees the removal of all microscopic particles of fat that can spoil a beautiful design .

In addition, only a degreaser will not spoil the gloss of the top coat.

Manufacturers have made an attempt to combine a degreaser and a primer in one product, for example Naomi PREP Nail, Nailite Nail, Scrub Fresh CND, Fresher Kodi Nail and others. These and other brands can be purchased in special professional manicure stores.

Check out reviews of some brands:

What happens if you don't apply a degreaser?

Many girls underestimate the importance of the degreasing procedure. If these steps are neglected, getting a neat, long-lasting manicure is very problematic: the coating soon begins to peel off, and you have to resort to re-applying gel polish.

True, there are experienced masters who manage to achieve an ideal result without first degreasing the nails. But this is only an exception to the rule.

Comparison of professional and home remedies

All alternative options pose a potential threat to nails.

The harm from using professional products is reduced to zero. They also have an aggressive effect, but do not lead to disruption of the water balance or thinning of the nails. After their use, the plates do not delaminate.

There is no guarantee that home remedies will be absolutely safe. Therefore, when choosing between professional and alternative options, you need to understand all the risks. Trying to save money can ruin your nails.

What is a nail degreaser and what does it look like?

Nail degreaser is a liquid that contains alcohol and other drying and disinfecting components. It is necessary when performing a professional manicure in order to:

• remove dust remaining after shaping nails and polishing skin;
• rid the surfaces of natural fat and moisture, sawed-off microscopic fragments of the previous coating;
• improve the adhesion of the material to the nails;
• prevent the growth of bacteria in the sinuses in case of detachments;
• remove the sticky layer from the dried base, flower bed, top.

The product looks like water, that is, it is often transparent, but with a noticeable odor. It may also be tinted. It comes in a bottle with a regular screw cap or with a dispenser. The second is more convenient, since the pump delivers exactly the volume that is needed. But sometimes liquid remains at the bottom of the bottle and is difficult to remove.

Nail degreaser with pump

Nail degreaser is a mandatory component when applying gel polish or gel. There are several varieties of this product:

• dehydrator,
• clinser,
• actual degreasing liquid.

They differ slightly in composition and purpose; the last two can successfully replace each other. The choice of product depends on the type of nails and skin. For some people, a degreaser is better; in other cases, a dehydrator will help you wear the coating longer.

In the category of preparatory products for professional manicure, there are also primers and ultrabonds. They are also designed to dry the nails so that the coating adheres more reliably to them. But the difference is that these agents penetrate the surface layers of the plates, loosening them. An acid primer has the maximum aggressive effect on nails. The most gentle one is Ultrabond, which works like double-sided tape.

Compound

The composition of the liquid may include:

• isopropyl alcohol.
• ethyl acetate,
• acids,
• water,
• flavoring components.

Among degreasers, there are products with more and less aggressive effects, but their ingredients do not penetrate deep into the nails and do not harm the skin.

Same thing as a cleanser, a dehydrator

Cleaner and degreaser are the same product, designed to clean surfaces of anything that would interfere with the adhesion of the nail and the material. The second liquid fights fat more actively. The cleaner is designed to remove the sticky layer, but the composition of the product is such that it also cleans and dries surfaces. Tack remover and degreaser are used in the same way.

A nail dehydrator is also a type of pre-primer product, but it does a better job of removing natural moisture. They do not wipe the plates and skin with it, but apply it to the surface of the former with a brush.