Acrylates

Specialized acrylic monomers (cross-linking) that have good adhesion to the natural nail plate and polymerize in minutes. used to make UV gel

Acrylics

The name for the entire family of chemicals used to make all types of nail enhancements and adhesives, including wraps, glues, UV gels, and liquid/powder systems

Adhesion

A chemical reaction resulting in two surfaces sticking together

Adhesive

An agent that causes two surfaces to stick together

Catalyst

Substances that speed up chemical reactions

Chemical

Substance obtained by a chemical process or producing chemical effect

Coatings

Products, including nail polish, topcoat, artificial nail that enhancements and adhesives that cover the nail plate with a hard film

Corrosive

A substance capable of seriously damaging skin, eyes or other soft tissue on contact, some corrosives have delayed action (minutes) others almost effect skin instantly

Cross linker

A monomer that joins together different polymer chains

Cyanoacrylates

A specialized acrylic monomer (no cross linking) that has excellent adhesion to the natural nail plate and polymerizes in seconds, used to make nail wraps and nail adhesives

Evaporate

A change from liquid to vapor form

Fumes

A blend of soot like particles mixed with vapors

Gas

A state of matter different from liquid or gas, Gases are not formed by evaporation of liquids as are vapors. Gases must not be confused with vapors or fumes

Methacrylates

A type of acrylic monomer (cross linking) that has very good adhesion to the natural nail plate and polymerizes in minutes, used to make all liquid powder systems and at least one type of UV gel

Methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA)

A substance in wide use around the world for many applications, such as bone repair center for implantation into the body

Monomers

Molecules that can polymerize to form long polymer chains

Nail primer

A substance that improves adhesion, used on the natural nail prior to product application to assist in adhesion

Oligomer

Short chain of monomers that is not long enough to be considered a polymer

Overexposure

Prolonged, repeated, or long-term exposure that can cause sensitivity

Over filing

Excessively roughing up the nail plate

Photoinitiator

A chemical that in combination with resins and the proper curing lamp causes UV gels to cure

Plasticizers

Ingredients used to keep nail enhancement products flexible

Polymers

Substances formed by combining many small molecules (monomers) or oligomers usually in extremely long, chainlike substances

Polymerization

Also known as curing or hardening, a chemical reaction that creates polymers

Simple polymer chains

The results of a long chain of monomers that are attached from head to tail

Thermal initiator

Ingredients that use heat as an energy source for starting chemical reactions such as polymerizing monomers into polymer

UV stabilizer

Ingredients that control color stability and prevent sunlight from causing fading or discoloration

Vapors

Vapors are formed when liquid evaporates into the air