No Wipe Top Coats

In August 2021, the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published a new research, showing that we have a new problem in the nail industry. And this one we did not see coming: It’s about the NO WIPE TOP COATS– irrespective of brand.

No Wipe Top Coats are amazing for rubbing in our pigment layers. I mean, who doesn’t love a chrome finish?
Pero hay algo más a lo que ninguno de nosotros prestó atención:

1: These No Wipe Top Coats (still) have a sticky layer after curing (and this really does make sense).

2: We must remove the sticky layer of our No Wipe Top Coats with 70% alcohol, or with our favorite nail product cleanser, avoiding contact with the skin. Then, allow our client to wash their hands with soap and water, rinsing well. Follow that with our high-quality oil and lotion.

¿Cómo es posible? ¿Y por qué nos enteramos ahora?
Sinceramente, porque sólo ahora nos hemos dado cuenta.

We already know that in the last year there has been a real problem with clients, customers, hobby techs, and even some real nail professionals showing signs of developed and diagnosed allergies.

We taught all of you that using hand & nail care products, like good quality lotions and oils, is really important. And almost all of you took that advice to heart, not only for your lady clients but your men clients too! You know they are good not only for the nails and the skin, but also to maintain all coatings. You all do it really well. Most quality hand & nail care products have ingredients that promote absorption into the skin, or small enough molecules to penetrate the nail plate. And that’s great! BUT if we don’t cleanse the sticky layer after we have cured our No Wipe Top Coat, then we just smear that, along with the oil, all over our clients’ nails, fingers, and hands, as well as on our own!

Pedí la opinión de Doug Schoon y Vitaly Solomonoff. Además, les pregunté si lavarse las manos con agua y jabón sería suficiente para eliminar lo que es una capa de residuos muy fina. Esto es lo que dijeron:

Doug Schoon:

Coming in contact with the sticky layer can cause allergies. That is well-known. I think what isn’t appreciated is that, to make a No Wipe Top Coat, many use acrylates because they cure faster and harder than methacrylates. But acrylates are more likely to cause allergies than methacrylates. I think that is the bigger issue. And, if they (nail techs) don’t wear gloves, the solvents can combine with the uncured ingredients to carry them into the skin. Also, it’s not a dispersion layer, this is an oxygen inhibition layer. Oxygen has inhibited the cure at the surface and left lots of uncured ingredients behind. Washing alone may not be enough. Ideally, you’d want to:
-borrar la capa
-lavarse y secarse las manos
-aplicar aceite de uñas

Vitaly Solomonoff:

I guess, that the gels with no sticky residue could be washed (I mean the hands) with soap. But a sort of liquid soap, not a regular one should be used – the liquid soap will ensure that the inhibition layer will be removed. It can be achieved with very thorough washing during 2-3 minutes. Some types of inhibition layers are difficult to remove, even with professional detergents, and some residue is spreading over the skin surface. That is why I would prefer wiping the gel nails away with an alcoholic solution before washing hands. Both ways are acceptable, but wiping with alcohol is preferable and safer. It is also important to note that the nail pro should wash their hands, too. So, the best algorithm would be:
-Curar la capa de acabado no wipe
-Limpiar con solución alcohólica
-Lávate las manos con jabón (cualquier jabón aquí)
-Aplicar un aceite o una loción, o ambos, como paso final del servicio.
Puede limpiar su No Wipe Top Coat con (una pequeña cantidad de) alcohol 70% o con su limpiador de productos para uñas favorito.

En conclusión: ¡Realmente tenemos que LIMPIAR NUESTRO TOP COAT NO WIPE!
Then advise our clients to wash their hands with soap and water after we have completed the service. Finish with high-quality nail oil and hand lotion.