Why are UV Gels so thick?

We are asked this question all the time: “Why are UV gels so thick, and can anything be added to thin them out?”

While it might be tempting to modify the consistency of your UV gels, it’s important to understand the science behind their formulation. Adding anything to thin out UV gels can disrupt their chemistry, potentially leading to serious issues, including adverse skin reactions.

The Risks of Thinning UV Gels

Nothing should ever be added to UV gels to make them thinner, because this can disrupt the chemistry and adversely affect cure. The result could be an increased risk of developing an adverse skin reaction, including the potential for permanent allergic reactions.

The Importance of Not Adding Solvents to UV Gels

Never add solvents or any type of thinner to a UV gel unless instructed to do so by the manufacturer’s directions or improper cure becomes a greater possibility. If instructed by the manufacturer to do so, precisely follow those directions or problems can occur.   

Why UV Gels Are Thick: The Role of Oligomers

The base ingredients are called “oligomers” which are molecules that have been partially pre-polymerized into short chains.  These short chains are more prone to be tangled, than small molecules, which makes the product feel thicker or more “viscous”. Then when UV gels are exposed to UV energy, these short chains join to create the very long chains that solidify to create the final polymer coating.

This is done so the UV gel can cure more quickly than it normally would.  Very much like precooking food so it can be more quickly finished in the microwave.  The oligomers are the reason these products are thicker than other types of nail coatings and adding solvents to thin them will result in the creation of a significantly weaker nail coating.