Product Chemistry and Equipment
Product chemistry and equipment items test why products behave as they do and how to use equipment without harming the client or yourself. Focus on monomers and polymers, pH, solvents and e-file discipline.
Core chemistry
- Monomers are small liquid molecules that link into long polymers; the powder's initiator (benzoyl peroxide) starts the reaction. Never mix brands - ratios, initiators and cure chemistry differ.
- Nail plate is slightly acidic (about pH 4.5–5.5). Strongly alkaline products swell and damage it; acid-based primers etch, acid-free primers rely on dehydration and bonding.
- Gels contain photoinitiators that react to light at roughly 365–405 nm; keep gels capped and away from light.
- Solvents: acetone is flammable, volatile and drying; ethyl acetate is slower and gentler. Cap containers, store away from heat and flame, and never use acetone near an open flame or pilot light.
Equipment
- E-file: choose bits by task - carbide for product removal, diamond or ceramic for natural nail and skin, fine grits for finishing. Keep speed low on natural nails, keep the bit moving, and never dwell on one spot or use a bit that has lost its shape.
- Lamps: match the gel to the lamp's wavelength and wattage; replace bulbs as recommended.
- Ultrasonic cleaners, autoclaves, disinfectant trays, spatulas and droppers each have a specific role; label and clean them.
Safety and compliance
- Keep a safety data sheet (SDS) for every product and follow its handling, ventilation and disposal instructions.
- Monomer vapor is heavier than air: use local exhaust or a fan at table level, keep containers closed, wear nitrile gloves, and never eat or drink in the service area.
- Do not pour liquid monomer waste down the drain; absorb it and dispose of it as directed.
Worked example
A client's gel top coat stays tacky after two minutes in the lamp. Reasoning: likely causes are too-thick application, an old or underpowered lamp, expired product, or a gel designed for a different wavelength. Correct actions: check the lamp rating, thin the layers, and replace old product - not simply leave the hand in longer.
Traps that cost marks
- Mixing two brands of liquid and powder.
- Using a high-speed e-file on the natural plate or holding the bit still.
- Storing acetone near a flame, or assuming 'no smell' means 'no vapor'.
- Skipping the SDS or ventilating only after complaints.