Nail – Righting

Since the first nail paint made by the Chinese in 3000 BC, nail cosmetology has come a long way. It is one of the fastest-growing profession. Swagatika , who a beauty parlour at the specialises in putting on ‘Acrylic Nails’ and claims that it is for people who have weak, under-grown or deformed nails or puffiness around nails. The technique is immensely helpful for those who bite their nails.  Once these beautiful nails are on, one would admire rather than bite them!

Acrylic nails, also known as sculptured or build-on nails are made by combining a liquid acrylic product with a powdered one. The two products form a soft ball that can easily be moulded into a strong artificial nail. The basic chemistry of acrylic nails is simple. There are three ingredients in the whole process. Liquid acrylic is a monomer, it is made up of small molecules which are unattached. 

Finished acrylic nails are polymers made up of molecules that are attached in long chains and usually form something hard. The powdered acrylic used is a combination of finely ground polymers and a catalyst (to speed up the hardening process). The hardening process is referred to as ‘airing’ and nail forming as ‘polymerisation’.

It is a multi-step procedure that begins with removing enamel that a person has on the nails. The cuticle is pushed back and the nails are buffed with medium fine abrasive to remove the natural oil. Nail antiseptics are then applied and ‘nail form’, which may be disposable or reusable is positioned on the nails. 

A dot of primer is applied on the nails which prepares the surface for bonding with the acrylic material. When a brush is dipped into the acrylic liquid and rolled on , it picks up a ball, large enough to shape the entire free edge. Another ball of medium consistency is picked up for the nail bed.

The free edge is usually white and the nail bed is clear, natural or pink. It works as a perfect remedy for bruised or eggshell nails. Most of us suffer from ‘leckonychia’ in which white spots appear on nails. Acrylic nails hide these and other stains very well. Furrows or corrugations, under or over growth of the nails can also be easily overcome.

Many aspects of a person’s lifestyle are considered before beginning  the treatment. The job, hobbies  and duration for which hands are soaked in water, any inflammation or allergic reactions are taken into consideration. An important part is choosing the shape of the nail. The shape of the hands, length of fingers, shape of cuticles and the type of work done decides whether the nail should be rectangular, oval, round or pointed.

Nail technology is a step ahead of the traditional manicure and pedicure that have been well-accepted, both by the elite and the middle class. Neither is it a forte of women alone as an increasing number of men are also taking to it.

Use of hands while dealing with people does not leave any room for being callous with one’s hands, which, after the face, is the most exposed part of the body.