Question: My understanding is some L&P systems are porous, but UV gel is not. Top coats that don’t have a dispersement layer are non-porous and do not soak off. Is this correct? Answer: No, it is not correct. All nail systems are porous, just to different degrees. In fact, no type of artificial nail coating ever …
Question: How does the grit of a nail file affect the natural nail? Are there grits that shouldn’t be used on the natural nail and why? I’ve been told not to use any coarser than a 180 grit on natural nails. But I don’t know if this is supported by science. Answer: The “grit” describes …
Question: I am confused. I see breathable nail polishes from quite a few brands now. So, does that mean that nails breathe? Answer: Sorry, no they don’t and there is no evidence to support this silly notion. Here’s why: the nail plate isn’t alive and doesn’t have any lungs. Nor does it have any ability …
Question: I’ve read your reports and understand that UV nail lamps are safe for my clients. But, what should I tell someone with a history of skin cancer? Answer: This is a great question. I talked in detail about the safety of all nail lamps in another question. Scientific evidence shows these lamps are safe as …
Question: What about applying nail enhancements to children under 16? I’ve been told that this is unsafe. Why? Answer: I hear this question often and I generally reply in this way: wearing any type of nail coating is like owning a puppy. Mom and dad should be the ones to decide when their child or …
Question: If we use a good sanitizing procedure, how close are we to 100% clean? Is this something compared to sterilization with an autoclave? Answer: Few things are 100% clean. Clean dishes are typically about 98-99% “clean”. We don’t disinfect or sterilize dishes, since there is no need. Sanitizing is reducing the number of bacteria, …
What is dotting? Dotting nail art is exactly what it says: creating a wide variety of designs using dots! It can be achieved using brushes but is easier using dotting tools of various sizes. How do you create dotting nail art? Dotting isn’t just about creating a series of isolated dots. (Although using a clear …
Question: Does filing in only one direction, towards the center, really help the nail? Answer: I have not found this to be true. I have tested this concept by using high magnification photography to record the results of various filing techniques. After examining nail plates filed using various abrasive grits and filing techniques. I didn’t …
Question: Are glass nail files really better for natural nails? Answer: What’s better for the nail plate is to use nail files that are not overly aggressive. Low grit abrasives are more likely to shred the nail plate, which can lead to over-thinning and peeling at the free edge. Glass nail files are equivalent to high …
What is an ombré? Ombré literally means “shaded” in French, and it is the blending of one color hue to another, from lighter to darker. The term is also used for the gradual shading from one color to another, although the correct term for that would be “sombré”. The gradation between hues or colors can …
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