Covering nails with gel polish requires the presence of a large number of devices and tools. Technologies for nail extensions, nail modeling, and decorative design creation involve a number of important stages that cannot be neglected. One of the stages is preparing the plate for applying a varnish base. But what to do if there is no product, but the manicure has already begun? How to replace nail degreaser at home, how safe and effective it is, is described below.
What is nail degreaser
The procedure for strengthening the nail plate, the process of extension with gel, acrylic is not complete without the most important step - cleaning the surface of the nail from contaminants. By pollution we mean not only dust particles, but also a physiologically determined fatty film that adds shine.
A degreaser is a product that removes any type of foreign particles from the nail plate: dust particles, sweat, fat layer. Today, such a product is produced on an industrial scale; if necessary, it can be replaced with a natural or synthetic analogue. Sometimes on the shelves of specialized stores you find a product that combines 2 functions: a degreaser and a product for removing the sticky layer.
Best nail dehydrators
Products in this category are suitable for both professional and home use. Dehydrators remove moisture from the surface of the nail, but do not destroy its layers. Primers are most popular among craftsmen who do shellac and gel modeling.
MILV Nail Prep
A Russian-made degreaser for gel polish is designed for short-term dehydration and deep cleaning of the surface. The covering can be worn for up to 7-8 weeks. The primer is used before applying any type of artificial material. The cost of a 16 ml bottle is 170 rubles.
Advantages:
- transparent bottle - you can determine in advance that the drug will soon run out;
- with antibacterial effect.
Flaws:
- the brush is uncomfortable and moves away when applied;
- According to reviews, it does not always fulfill its functions.
Kodi Professional Nail fresher
A degreaser for cleansing and dehydrating the nail acts superficially, without penetrating into the deep layers of the nail plate, and therefore does not destroy its structure. The dehydrator is applied before any artificial turf, significantly extending the wear period. Price – 450 rub. (15 ml) and 1 thousand rubles. (160 ml).
Advantages:
- does not cause allergies;
- dries quickly and well;
- Convenient brush in a small bottle.
Flaws:
- expensive;
- When used professionally, it is quickly consumed.
Patrisa Nail Nail Prep
Powerful dehydrator contains ethyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, isopropyl, no dyes or fragrances. The product removes moisture from the natural nail plate and degreases it. It is used before applying any artificial coating in one layer. Dries on its own in 20-30 seconds. Cost – 170 rub. (8 ml) and 270 rub. (16 ml).
Advantages:
- prolongs the durability of the coating;
- dries quickly;
- does not cause allergies or irritation;
- acts superficially.
Flaws:
- uncomfortable brush;
- After application, you still need to use a primer.
Sophin UltraBond Primer
A German-made nail degreaser improves the adhesion of the natural plate to any artificial materials and prevents coatings from peeling off. The dehydrator does not contain acids, therefore it is safe for the body. The product is applied to prepared nails, dries in 20 seconds, leaving the surface slightly sticky. The price of a 12 ml bottle is 430 rubles.
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Advantages:
- easy to apply;
- works effectively;
- does not spoil nails;
- long shelf life;
- Convenient bottle, does not slip out of your hands, screws tightly.
Flaws:
- the brush is uncomfortable, splits into two parts, the bristles fall out;
- due to the dark bottle it is impossible to control consumption;
- After this drug, the coating is very difficult to remove; you have to cut it off.
What is a nail degreaser for?
Extensions, strengthening with gel polish, coating with regular varnish - these procedures require special preparation of the nail plate, which must be:
- clean, from a mechanical point of view (absence of dust particles, polluting particles);
- cleared of microbes (in the case of extensions, this is a mandatory point, since microorganisms, multiplying under the gel layer, cause the development of infection);
- dry, that is, freed from fat secreted to protect the nail (this is necessary for optimal adhesion of the nail surface to artificial compounds).
To ensure the conditions described above, nail technicians use a nail degreaser.
Comment! It is impossible to replace the stage of removing fat and contaminants by moving directly to the next stage.
Health is jeopardized: the proliferation of bacteria and other pathological microorganisms will lead to nail diseases. The manicure will not last long due to the lack of necessary adhesion of the surface to the cosmetic composition.
A nail dehydrator is the key to a long-lasting manicure!
To create a flawless manicure and give your nails a beautiful shape, you need a number of products: bonder, primer, degreaser, dehydrator.
As for the last thing, it can safely be called one of the most irreplaceable things in the modern nail industry. What is a nail dehydrator and how to use it correctly, let's figure it out.
What is a dehydrator and what is it for?
Dehydrators are widely used in the nail extension process. At the initial stage of extension, when preparing the nail plate, it is necessary to remove excess moisture from the nail and dry it slightly.
This is exactly what a dehydrator does. It looks like a clear liquid. Using a brush, apply it to the nail plate and allow to dry. Dehydrators can be purchased at any perfume and cosmetics store.
Often on the label of this product you can find the words “bond”, “bonder”, “bondex” - this is the same as a dehydrator. This product is indispensable for nail extensions: thanks to it, the artificial material will last much longer.
And if you do a manicure on your nails, then a dehydrator will help improve your nail health and reduce various complications and diseases of the nail plate to a minimum.
Degreaser or dehydrator?
It is a mistaken belief that a degreaser and a nail dehydrator are the same thing. In fact, these are completely different products in composition and function.
Read in full
A degreaser removes dirt and fatty deposits from the nail plate, while a dehydrator removes excess moisture and dries the nail.
In principle, both products perform similar functions, but only the degreaser does it superficially, and the dehydrator does it more thoroughly. Of course, you shouldn’t use both a degreaser and a dehydrator at once. It is enough to choose one thing, taking into account the characteristics of your body.
So, if you have oily skin and excessive sweating, then you should use a dehydrator. If you don’t have any problems of this kind, then you can use a degreaser.
Never use nail polish remover as a means to clean and dry your nails.
Yes, it tends to dry out the nail, but the components it contains have an extremely adverse effect on the nail - it begins to peel and burst. That is why nail professionals advise using nail polish remover as intended and as rarely as possible.
Purpose and price of a nail dehydrator
Many cosmetic companies, both domestic and foreign, are engaged in the production of dehydrators. Here are the most popular:
- CND Nail Fresh - products for any artificial coating, including regular decorative varnish. Cleans even the deepest layers of the nail plate. Price 786 rubles.
- Bond ruNail - these products do not contain fragrances, dyes or other harmful substances. But they also do not clean the nail as thoroughly as previous products. They should also not be used before applying decorative varnish. Price 230 rubles.
- El Corazon – designed for both natural and artificial nails. Removes dirt, moisture, promotes adhesion of natural and artificial materials during nail extensions. Price 120 rubles.
- Red Carpet, PREP max adhesion sanitiser – a product for nail disinfection and adhesion of natural material to artificial. The price is about 300 rubles.
- Entity One Natural Nail Prep is another nail plate cleanser. Price 339 rubles.
- Cuccio Veneer is a product that removes excess moisture. Intended for use before applying gel polish. Price 960 rubles.
Terms of use
The use of the dehydrator depends on the packaging it comes in. If it is a bottle with a brush, then you should apply 1-2 layers of the product to a dry and clean nail. If the dehydrator is in a tube, you need to squeeze a little product onto a cotton pad and wipe your nail with it. After this procedure, you can begin coating.
Composition of nail degreaser
The components of nail degreasing products may vary depending on the manufacturer and additional functions of the product. Some components can be replaced, while the list of others remains the same for all formulations.
Main components:
- isopropyl alcohol;
- purified water;
- flavorings.
Do not confuse ordinary degreasing liquid with professional products: primer, bonder. Both products are also degreasers, but act more deeply, opening the scales of the top layer of the nail above the surface, providing a more reliable fixation of the gel.
Novice craftsmen mistakenly believe that a degreaser can be replaced with a dehydrator or a cleaner, but the latter is used to remove the sticky layer, and the former is used for drying and removing moisture.
Comment! The degreaser contains substances that are unable to penetrate deep into the nail plate; the components work only on its surface. The possibility of toxic or other harmful effects on the nail is excluded.
How to degrease nails before gel polish
In cosmetics stores and on online platforms, a wide range of degreasing liquids of various types from different manufacturers is available. Choosing a brand is a matter of experience. If there is none, it is recommended to seek advice from a familiar manicurist and read reviews on forums. You can always replace a degreaser you don’t like with a product from another company.
Attention! Nail service specialists recommend not replacing a professional product with homemade analogues, but using a specialized liquid for degreasing nails, especially when it comes to a salon manicure. The manufacturer of cosmetics is responsible and provides a guarantee for its products.
Degreaser Severina
The Severina company produces degreasers in different volumes and forms: regular bottles, vials with a pump dispenser that ensures economical use of liquid. The Russian company specializes in the development of a wide range of cosmetics, from manicure products to glosses and mascara.
Among the products in the nail aesthetics industry, the company produces degreasers, decorative and gel polishes, nail polish removers, and care products. The most common degreaser among the Severin product line, reviews of which are mixed. Some craftsmen respond positively, considering the product to be good for a low price, while other consumers express a sharply negative opinion, noting that the composition caused harm to the nails.
Attention! Experience shows that the products of this brand are not suitable for everyone. It is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the client’s nails; in case of the slightest negative impact, replace the liquid with a composition from another manufacturer.
Kodi nail degreaser
Nail technicians call one of the best nail degreasers a product from Kodi, an American brand that produces manicure products. This is largely due to the fact that the United States strictly regulates quality standards and places high demands on cosmetic products, ensuring the harmlessness of the compositions and excellent results.
Cody's nail degreaser, according to reviews from practicing nail technicians, extends the life of a manicure by a week compared to formulations from other companies, is convenient, economical to use, and non-toxic. Many who have tested the Kodi product once will not want to replace it with another.
Nail degreaser CND
The Creative Nail Design brand is the founder of gel polishes used today by artists all over the world. It was the founder of the company who invented the composition called shellac, which for the first time combined the decorative properties of varnish and the modeling properties of gel in one product.
The company produces a wide range of cosmetic manicure products used to strengthen and extend nails. CND brand shellac degreaser is a composition that has proven itself to be a high quality product.
Among the disadvantages of the master, they highlight the fact that the liquid evaporates from the napkin very quickly, so you need to hurry when working with it or replace the napkin several times.
Advantages - absence of allergic reactions, toxic effects, wide choice of packaging volumes, high quality: manicure using the Creative Nail Design product is durable, peeling is excluded.
One type of CND nail degreaser is pictured below.
Which nail degreaser is best?
Regarding the companies that produce the product being described, craftsmen give preference to one brand or another depending on their own taste, habits, and price category. Professional work, salon, at home, involves the use of formulations from brands that have proven themselves to be reliable. Such products are more expensive, but are used sparingly and provide the result: optimal adhesion of the nail surface to the polymer substance, prolonging the life of the manicure.
If a girl builds and strengthens her nails on her own at home, it makes sense to replace the professional product with a simpler product.
When it comes to primers, it is necessary to take into account the classification of compositions:
- acidic - aggressive, but more effective: the compositions lift the scales of the top layer of the nail, ensuring maximum fixation of the gel, gel polish;
- acid-free - gentle, does not affect the structure of the nail plate, eliminates fat and dirt.
The choice of a specific type of degreaser for manicure depends on the need for a more durable fixation of the artificial product on the nails.
How to use primer
Before applying the primer, the cuticle is pushed back. Regardless of the type, for what and for what manicure you need a primer for shellac, the method of application is the same for any of them. The final result of the manicure and its duration of wear depend on how the primer coating was applied.
To apply the primer, there is a special application technology. Nail primer is very easy to apply even if you are new to manicure.
The most important thing to focus on is to use safe application methods when interacting with the product, as well as accurately follow the sequence of coating the nails with the product. Primer application takes place in the following 3 stages:
Preparation for application
Preparation for application.
You should immediately prepare a napkin. Can be paper or lint-free. When opening a bottle of primer, first wring out the brush and remove excess liquid from it on a napkin. At this stage the nail plate is also prepared.
To do this, the cuticle is removed or moved away from the surface of the nail, and the nail surface itself is treated with a special file, the rigidity of which should be minimal. This is done to eliminate natural shine if present.
Application of primer.
Using small strokes of a special brush, apply the product to the nail in the center, without allowing the substance to come into contact with the cuticle or lateral skin folds of the nail.
After applying the primer.
At the end, after treating with primer, the nails should be completely dry. Depending on the quality and its variety, the primer gives a different appearance when the nail plates are dry.
Manicurists apply primer twice. This is done for high-quality and complete protection in order to increase adhesive capabilities.
How to Apply Degreaser to Nails
Despite the apparent ease of use of nail plate degreaser, its use requires compliance with certain rules.
- The composition is applied to the nail plate after it has been treated with a file or buff.
- The surface of the nail must be clean.
- The liquid is applied using a lint-free cloth.
- After the procedure, you should not touch the nail with your fingers; you must avoid contact with anything.
After the surface of the nail is degreased, the first layer of coating is applied, depending on the type of manicure, it can be gel, gel polish, or base top.
Attention! When carrying out degreasing, it is impossible to replace lint-free wipes with cotton pads: particles of the fibers of the discs remain on the nails, impairing adhesion, which can lead to peeling and harm the plate.
Step by step application of primer on nails
- First of all, treat the cuticles and nail folds. Push the cuticle away from the nail plate with a wooden orange stick or a special metal pusher. Then remove excess skin with nail scissors/tweezers or a special cutter if you are using a manicure machine.
- Using a special file (buff, grinder), carefully sand the surface of the nail, removing the layer of natural shine.
- Clean your nails from any dust that has formed, first with a brush or brush, then with a lint-free cloth soaked in a disinfectant.
- Then apply primer. To do this, carefully “squeeze” the brush against the edges of the bottle, removing excess product. Apply the brush to the center of the nail and allow the degreaser to spread over the surface on its own. Carefully cover unaffected areas with a thin layer, avoiding contact with the skin. “Seal” the tip of the nail.
If correction is in progress and a thin layer of uncut base remains on the plate, then the primer is applied only to the regrown part of the natural nail.
If the primer does get on the cuticle or side ridges, then you need to thoroughly rinse the skin with water.
Primer application
Remember that the thinner the primer layer, the higher its effectiveness. The thick layer prevents the scales of the nail plate from rising higher and adhering to the artificial surface as much as possible.
- The primer air dries in 15 to 60 seconds. Next, you need to wait for the primer to air dry. How to determine that the material has dried and is ready for further work, see the description of acidic and acid-free primers above.
In rare cases, if indicated in the instructions, drying under a UV lamp is required.
- Next, proceed to covering or building up
Completing the manicure
How can I replace degreaser for gel polish?
Although nail service experts say that replacing a degreasing liquid with anything means jeopardizing the quality of your manicure and your health, there are times when it is necessary to resort to this.
There are natural and synthetic products that can be used to replace nail degreaser at home.
Is it possible to degrease nails with boric acid?
From the products available in the home medicine cabinet, in order to replace the degreaser, use boric alcohol, which is a solution of boric acid in 70% ethyl alcohol. The product is used in medicine and is harmless when used externally in the dosages described in the instructions for the drug.
Boric acid as a nail degreaser exhibits the following properties:
- destroys microorganisms located on the nail plate;
- removes dirt;
- removes fatty film from the surface of the nail.
Nail service specialists do not recommend using the drug on an ongoing basis, although they allow one-time use of boric alcohol if necessary to replace the composition for degreasing nails.
Is it possible to degrease nails with alcohol?
Ethyl alcohol can be used at home to replace degreasing liquid. The substance effectively removes oily cosmetics (creams, oils), disinfects the surface, and removes natural fatty film.
Important! Replacing a degreaser with alcohol on an ongoing basis means drying out the nail plate and the skin around it.
Formic alcohol for degreasing nails
Formic alcohol is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor of alcohol, prepared by dissolving formic acid in 70% ethyl alcohol. The drug is used in medicine, is sold in pharmacies without a prescription, can be found in a home medicine cabinet, and is allowed to replace the professional composition.
Instead of a nail degreaser, formic alcohol is used according to the same rules as a specialized cosmetic product, applying it to a lint-free napkin.
Nail polish remover instead of degreaser
It is impossible to degrease nails with nail polish remover: a modern composition without the addition of acetone does not dry out the nail plate and is not able to remove oily substances. This composition cannot replace a special product. A cosmetic product containing acetone will do the job.
Lemon juice or citric acid
Lemon juice or citric acid diluted in water can replace a specialized composition. The advantages of natural juice are that it simultaneously whitens and vitaminizes the nail plate.
Soap solution
Nail service specialists believe that it is impossible to replace a degreasing liquid with a soap solution: it does not remove 100% of dirt and grease from the nail due to the technology of use.
Vinegar
Table vinegar eats away dirt, grease film, dries out nails and can replace a degreasing composition for nails. It is not recommended to use it often, since acetic acid dries the skin and nail plate.
Reviews of nail degreaser
When studying the opinions of manicurists about various products, you need to take into account that there is a moment of individual intolerance to the components, bias. The best way to form your own opinion is to test the product yourself.
Reviews of degreasing compounds from different companies are given below.
Lena, 28 years old, Penza
I use the proven Kodi Nail Fresher. The liquid has never let me down. The quality corresponds to the cost, result, and volume of the tube. Among the shortcomings, I would like to note the brush – too small, dense (but I’ve already gotten used to it); unpleasant smell. There were no detachments or problems with nails when using the degreasing composition of this company. The brand really cares about the quality of its products, this is evident from the result of the work; there was no desire to replace it with another. I recommend.
Valentina, 41 years old, Krasnodar
I do nail strengthening at home. This is my extra income. I do marigolds for myself and my girlfriends. Regarding the degreasing liquid, I admit, I had to replace it several times with regular pharmaceutical alcohol. The result was almost the same, the coating stayed on normally. Later I bought a primer in the store because I read that regular use of alcohol on nails harms the plate. But for a couple of times it turned out to be an excellent substitute, the girls are happy.
Oksana, 25 years old, Donetsk
My review of Severina degreaser. The PNB product I tried ran out, so I decided to experiment and replace it with a new one. Before buying Severina, I looked at the reviews, saw positive ones, calmed down, and bought it. Having problems with my nails and skin, I went online again and found a lot of negative feedback! The first thing I encountered was the smell. Harsh, unpleasant, corrosive to the eyes! I endured the inconvenience and covered my nails with gel polish. An hour later they started to hurt! I tried not to pay attention, and in the evening I looked at my fingers that were in contact with the degreaser and was horrified - my skin was corroded! She began to peel off. Frightened, she took off the covering. Everything is fine with the nails, but who knows what would have happened to them if it had been on longer... Than such a product, it is really better to replace it with homemade preparations, for example, boric acid. My advice – don’t be flattered by the low price and take care of your health!
