1. The Chemistry of the systems

2. Why do we need to know about chemistry?
The chemistry of nail products is similar, but it is important to understand how the products work on the nail
The smallest state a chemical can exist is an atom
When atoms join together with other atoms they become molecules
An example of a molecule is H2O which is two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen – do you know what this molecule is?

3. How molecules form together
Lots of molecules of water packed tightly forms ICE
Fewer molecules loosely packed together will form FLOWING WATER
Very few molecules with only some packed together will form STEAM
FLOWING WATER
ICE
STEAM

4. Polymerisation
Polymerisation is a process that joins single complex molecules called monomers together to form a solid structure called a polymer
This happens with UV gel when it meets the UV light
As soon as the liquid monomer and powder with acrylic system are mixed, polymerisation begins to take place.
For the fibreglass system the activator has to be applied to the resin for polymerisation to take place

5. Initiators and Catalysts
For the chemical reaction to take place, for the product to cure and set hard an initiator and catalyst must be present
The initiator – this gives the instruction for the chemical process of polymerisation to take place
The catalyst – this determines how long it will take for the polymerisation to happen

6. General Information
Gel is known as an Oligomer as it is a semi-solid product that doesn’t become a solid until it is cured under the UV light
Acrylic powders are made up of polymers and most often from 2 or more polymers which are known as copolymers
The polymer beads found in the acrylic powder are what give the structure its strength