Mysterious nail cleanser: what is it? Understanding its purpose and looking for analogues

Ever wonder why nail cleanser is becoming more and more popular in the world of manicures and pedicures? With its promise to enhance both the health and appearance of your nails, this enigmatic product has become a mainstay in many nail care routines. But what does it actually accomplish, and is it worthwhile to include in your assortment of nail care supplies?

The purpose of nail cleansers is not limited to cleaning. They assist in cleaning the nail surface of oils, debris, and moisture to provide the ideal foundation for applying nail polish or gel. Cleansers help guarantee that the polish adheres better and lasts longer by prepping the nail, which lowers the likelihood of chipping and peeling.

Even though professional salons frequently use specialized nail cleansers, many consumers are searching for easy-to-use, reasonably priced alternatives that they can find at home. We’ll discuss the function of nail cleansers, how they operate, and what you can use in a pinch as alternatives.

What is a nail cleanser. Understanding the concept and content

You might be surprised to learn that you can use what seasoned pros refer to as the "cleanser," even though you are unaware of its existence. They say that a manicure of any kind cannot be achieved without it. A degreaser is all that nail cleanser is. Yes, the same one that’s used to prime the nail plate for the application of the gel polish base coat and, when the gel manicure is almost done, to remove the dispersion layer.

Startled? Now take a look at your degreaser bottle; it likely states "Cleanser" on the label. Furthermore, this is the name of the product group for manicure products—not the name of the business.

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A water-alcohol mixture scented with particular oils is called a cleanser. This substance is a fairly universal product that is simply required for a high-quality manicure. Let’s examine the numerous applications it has:

1. You can treat your hands with a cleanser before a manicure. In other words, it acts as an antiseptic, preventing the penetration of bacteria and fungi into the nail plate.
2. Cleanser can also be used to disinfect manicure tools. The alcohol content in the solution for this procedure is optimal.
3. Some expensive brands of cleanser can also be used to treat nail baking lamps.
4. Cleanser removes the water-fat layer from the nail plate and thus ensures the best adhesion of natural keratin to gel polish.
5. Cleanser is what is simply necessary at the final stage of any gel coating. It removes the sticky layer and thereby provides a beautiful glossy shine of the artificial coating and gives additional strength to the manicure.

An analog version of cleanser is a dehydrator

After discussing what a cleanser is, let’s examine its most popular equivalent, a nail dehydrator, in more detail. It’s a product that a lot of people have probably heard of; maybe you use it to remove the dispersion layer and clean the nail plate. Maybe even that someone will conclude that these are just new names for the same methods. And someone will decide, after reading the previous section, that he uses a dehydrator to pass an important manicure point and forgets about the clincher.

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They are both in error. Although the clinser and the dehydrator serve similar purposes and have similar qualities, they are entirely different tools. Thus, only the natural fat layer on the nail plate is removed by the Kliner, which operates more delicately. The dehydrator penetrates the depths of the nail to remove extra water from the nail plate in addition to removing the fat layer. As a result, the dehydrator offers the nail plate a more trustworthy adhesion.

Out of all the degreas, the dehydrator is the mildest solution even though it dries the nail plate. Butylcetate, its primary active ingredient, evaporates rapidly. In the least amount of time, the pH balance is restored after using the dehydrotor. Furthermore, it doesn’t irritate skin or trigger allergic reactions when it gets on it.

Of course, each person has to determine for themselves what kind of preparation product to use in order to get their nails ready for gel polish application. Only the situations where using a specific degreasing solution will be more appropriate are worth mentioning.

• If you have “wet” nails, then your option is a dehydrator. How to determine the “wetness” of nails? Only empirically. Perhaps you have noticed that you or your friends’ manicure, done according to all the rules, begins to come off after a couple of days, while for others it lasts for weeks. And so over and over again. All this means that your nails are too “wet”. In your case, a dehydrator is the best option.
• If, on the contrary, your nails are too dry, then a dehydrator is contraindicated for you, because it will dry them out even more. You can also “identify” a dry nail plate empirically. As a rule, after applying a dehydrator, the free edge of the “dry” nail plates curls up into a cone-like shape. It is in this case that you should use only a cleanser.

Choosing the right product for the last step is no longer crucial because both the cleanser and the dehydrator effectively remove the sticky layer and give the manicure a glossy sheen.

Though they may seem strange, nail cleansers are essential to getting the ideal manicure and pedicure. With the help of these products, polish will adhere more effectively and last longer on the nails by being free of oils, dirt, and residue. Knowing how nail cleansers function and looking into alternatives will help you make decisions that will keep your nails healthy and looking great.

Rules for using a cleanser

There are no special skills needed to use the cleanser; it is very simple to use. Treating the nails only requires soaking a napkin in the solution. However, there are a few guidelines that if followed, will guarantee that your manicure lasts for a long time.

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• Try to use a cleanser of the same brands as gel polishes. Gel manicure products from the same company complement each other perfectly and “do not conflict” with each other. So, the gel coating under the influence of a “foreign” cleanser can fade or change color.
• If you can"t buy manicure products from one company, then at least take care of a high-quality cleanser. You shouldn"t skimp on it. So an expensive cleanser will never ruin your manicure, while cheap brands can affect its final effect. This is especially true for inexpensive brands of gel polish.
• Always use lint-free wipes with the cleanser. Never use regular cotton pads. This is especially true when preparing the nail plate for applying the base coat. There is a risk that the lint from the cotton wool will remain on the nails and your manicure will be ruined.
• Apply the cleanser to the nail plate immediately before you start applying gel polish. You shouldn"t treat all your nails at once, because after 30 minutes the effect of the cleanser wears off.
• Never do a manicure without degreasing agents. Neglecting this rule will lead to the gel coating coming off at the first contact with water.
• Be sure to remove the sticky layer at the finishing stage. If you do not remove it, the gel coating will lose its attractive shine, and this is in the best case. In the worst case, you risk developing an allergy, because the dispersion contained in gel polishes can cause an allergic reaction.

For a gel manicure, degreasing agents are only used in the beginning, right before applying the base coat and right after. Between the other manicure stages, the gel coating cannot be cleaned off. In this manner, the dispersion that forms after the gel polish dries in the lamp will be removed, ensuring consistent adhesion between all layers of gel polish. Furthermore, many cleansers have oils in their formulation, which will present another challenge to the gel layers’ adhesion.

Knowing why you use a nail cleanser can significantly alter your regimen for getting a manicure. It’s not just a cleaning product; it’s an essential step in making sure that, before applying polish or gel, your nails are free of moisture, oils, and dirt. This gives you a more polished and long-lasting finish by improving the polish’s adhesion and duration.

Although specific nail cleansers work well, there are a few easy at-home substitutes. You can use acetone or rubbing alcohol as alternatives, but they might not be as good for your nails or as gentle. These are excellent options when you’re in a hurry, but remember that the best results can be achieved with products made especially for nails.

Ultimately, the objective stays the same whether you go with a store-bought or homemade nail cleanser: getting your nails ready for the greatest manicure. You can attain healthier, longer-lasting, and cleaner nails by adding this step into your routine.

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