What you should definitely know about light-curing nail polishes!

All light-curing nail systems are calibrated with precise amounts of photoinitiators that are activated by light energy. A chain reaction is triggered and the liquid nail polish is transformed into a solid plastic.

Photoinitiators:

• React to UV light and form radicals
• The radical combines with the oligomer (small plastic chain)
• A chain reaction leads to complete polymerization

Proper curing

• For correct curing, the lamp must be calibrated exactly to the product.
• Not only the lamp must be calibrated to the product, but also the curing time.
• If the balance between all components is not correct, under- or over-curing will occur.

Over-curing

One speaks of over-curing when a product is cured for too long or with too much energy.

• This can lead to the product not holding.
• May cause the product to shrink.
• Makes it difficult to remove the product.

Under-curing

Undercuring occurs when not enough UV energy is used to cure the product

• The product only cures on the outside. The core is not cured.
• The coating becomes unstable.
• An allergy can be triggered.

There are three types of UV energy, all of which occur in sunlight and are classified by wavelength.

UVC - Short wavelength
The most harmful radiation that is filtered by the atmosphere and does not reach the earth's surface.

UVB - Medium wavelength
Filtered by the atmosphere, but responsible for thickening the cornea, which protects the skin from the sun.

UVA - longer wavelength
Tans the skin and can cause sunburn if the radiation is too strong. This light is also used in light-curing devices to harden plastics. The radiation in the devices is harmless to the skin.