Gel nail polish is a type of nail polish that is cured under a UV or LED light instead of drying in oxygen like regular nail polish. The ingredients in gel nail polish react with the light and adhere tightly to the nail, resulting in a longer-lasting manicure that is less prone to chipping than regular nail polish. Gel nail polish is made up of methacrylate compounds, photoinitiators, and plasticizers, which give it its strong but flexible nature. Photoinitiators are molecules that initiate a chemical reaction upon absorption of light at a certain wavelength, and one of the most common photoinitiators in gel nail polish is benzoyl peroxide. Gel nail polish also contains pigments and stabilizers, similar to conventional nail polish.
While gel nail polish is generally safe to use, it is important to protect your skin during the curing process. UV radiation can cause skin damage, including skin cancer, so it is recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen or UV shield gloves specifically made to be worn during the curing process. It is also important to use a curing lamp that is up to standards for the best protection for your skin.
Some gel nail polish brands, such as Green Flash, have formulated their products using natural ingredients with no known endocrine disruptor or allergenic molecules, making them a non-toxic option. Green Flash is also 12-free, meaning it does not contain any of the blacklisted toxic ingredients such as toluene, DBP, camphor, and formaldehyde resin. Other gel nail polish brands may contain methyl acrylate, a colorless organic compound with a signature acrid odor, which is found in most nail polishes, including gel nail polish, for its adhesive properties.
In summary, gel nail polish is made up of methacrylate compounds, photoinitiators, and plasticizers, and it is cured under a UV or LED light. While it is generally safe to use, it is important to protect your skin during the curing process. Some gel nail polish brands have formulated their products using natural ingredients and are non-toxic, while others may contain methyl acrylate.
