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Will Pure 99% Isopropyl Alcohol Fully Cleanse Your Nail Plate?

Can 99% Isopropyl Alcohol Effectively Remove All Surface Oils and Moisture from the Nail Plate?

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We are asked this question a lot, and you are right to call them surface oils. The nail plate contains a lot of oil, but our focus is on removing the surface oils because they can block adhesion. Understanding the complexity of nail oils and the effectiveness of different solvents in removing these oils is crucial for achieving optimal results in nail care.

 Let’s explore why using a professionally designed nail cleaner is more effective than relying on pure isopropyl alcohol alone.

The Complexity of Nail Plate Oils

The nail plate contains a lot of oil, but we only want to remove surface oils because they can block adhesion. We are making a simplification when we say the nail plate contains “oil”. Nail oil contains many different oily substances, and some are much more difficult to remove from the nail plate than others.  The natural oils in the nail plate are a complex blend of more than a dozen different waxes and oily substances. Most of these substances are secreted by the tissue surrounding the nail plate, but some are transferred from the hair to the nails when they come into contact with each other. Not all oily substances found on the nail plate may be removed when the nail plate is cleaned with either acetone or alcohol or ethyl acetate, the most common solvents used.

Solvent Efficacy in Nail Cleansing

That’s because not all types of nail plate oily substances are soluble in every solvent.  Some are more soluble in acetone, while others are more soluble in isopropyl alcohol.  In other words, different solvents selectively remove various contaminants from the surface of the nail plate. Some solvents can leave behind contaminants that may fill up and/or block the various tiny spaces where the nail coating would normally seep into, harden and anchor itself more firmly to the surface of the nail plate.  This helps explain why cleansing the nail plate is so important to good adhesion. A scientifically designed nail surface cleanser will contain a synergistic blend of solvents and other beneficial additive ingredients that are more likely to do a superior job when compared to using isopropyl alcohol alone. That’s why I recommend using professionally designed nail cleaners and avoiding less effective substitutes.

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Definition:<\/strong> Ethyl acetate is a commonly used solvent in nail polish formulations. It plays a crucial role in dissolving and suspending various components, including pigments, polymers, and additives, within the nail polish mixture. Ethyl acetate evaporates during the drying process, leaving behind the desired color and finish on the nails.<\/p>\n
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Usage:<\/strong> Ethyl acetate is an essential ingredient in nail polish production, ensuring that the different components blend seamlessly and evenly. As it evaporates during the polish's drying phase, it contributes to the creation of a smooth, long-lasting, and beautifully colored nail finish.<\/p>\n
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Example in a sentence:<\/em> \"Thanks to ethyl acetate, this nail polish effortlessly combines vibrant colors and essential components, resulting in a manicure that boasts both durability and eye-catching beauty.\"<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_a656a2a40632c1e29663156211bbc0bd":"

Nail coatings<\/div>
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Any product used to coat a finger or toe nail for strength or to add length and\/or colour.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_1246a1b7fb9bed3e4702bd0168f71114":"

Nail plate<\/div>
Nail Plate\n

Hard layers of modified and keratinised skin cells, bonded together, to form a protective plate on the end of each finger and toe, that prevents damage to the underlying bone and allows for manual dexterity.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_fd7643ea3e2121bcf63b92a2783f377f":"

Nail care<\/div>
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Nail care refers to the maintenance and upkeep of the nails and surrounding skin. It includes regular cleaning, moisturizing, and trimming of the nails, as well as protecting them from damage and infection.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_1fc6d774ecea12346a8ffab9f92b78e2":"

Cleanser<\/div>
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A cleanser in nail services usually refers to a product that removes oils and debris from the skin or, more relevantly, the nail plate. It will cleanse the skin or nail plate ready for other products to be used and become more effective as there will be no oil or debris barrier to the effectiveness of the subsequent products.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_5d9a553b829690f7eecc611184e17273":"

Solvents<\/div>
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Solvents (in the context of nail products as water is a solvent) are chemicals such as acetone, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, butyl acetate, toluene. They are able to dissolve certain products or break their bonds. They are commonly used in nail polishes and nail polish removers. They are usually volatile and are the method used to dry nail polish as they keep the product liquid until they are exposed air and will evaporate and leave the pigments and other ingredients (such as plastisers etc) as a nail coating. They are also used in nail plate dehydrators to cleanse and degrease the nail in the preparation for a coating application.<\/p>\n
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Pathogens (with the possible exception of fungal spores) are unable to survive in a product with a high level of solvents. This is why it is safe to use nail polish on several clients without spreading any pathogens<\/p>\n
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(Also see alcohols)<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_0feaed3b66910e1ca5fc2a2031db83b4":"

Acetone<\/div>
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Acetone is a common solvent. It is used to remove nail product coatings efficiently and quickly. It is also a byproduct of metabolism within the human body.<\/p>\n<\/div>"}}; -->