Alright... while I have your attention. I am interested in more about light-curing technology than is reasonably applicable to the average nail tech. For starters: I want to confirm my suspicions regarding the type of curing. My research leads me to think that our products are cured using a "free radical cure" process. I understand there is also a "cationic" cure process, but it doesn't sound like it would be suitable for nail products-- are there any nail products that use a "cationic" cure? Recently, we've been hearing a lot of "correction" in the previous explanation of "heat-spikes." It used to be acceptable to over-simplify this phenomenon with the "friction" explanation. Suddenly everyone is saying that it isn't friction. Ok-- so "exo-thermal reaction", fine-- but WHAT CAUSES the exo-thermal reaction? Specifically? At the molecular level? What's the process by which heat is generated? (research teaches me words like "precipitation" and "crystallization" but I'm still looking for how those words apply to our products and their specific curing processes.) And I'm also trying to understand what is different-- chemically-- from the "traditional" or "hard" gels that we've used for decades to build extensions; the ones that we could soak in acetone for a week and they'd still be perfect, shiny, and untouched (Ok, I've never actually soaked one of these for a week-- it's possible that after that long they would start to break down... but I'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT TOO!) vs these "soak-off" or "soft" gels that can be removed with acetone in 10-20 minutes. Why? Are they entirely different types of compounds? Why makes them different? Does the "12 week lifespan" statement apply to all gels? Acrylics? Or only to gel polishes? To gel polishes that are all-gel formulas? or to gel polishes that contain solvents? And I still haven't had anyone explain how the difference between all-gel vs gel & solvent gel polish formulas is supposed to affect me and my clients? I understand what's different about them, but I keep getting half-statements about how they apply to different nail types, but no one's telling me what different nail types? I thought the hybrid formulas worked fine! I don't understand why I need an all gel formula? Have I asked enough questions? And-- be warned-- answers only beget more questions, choosing to humor me WILL open a Pandora's box. Oh yes: And WHY does oxygen inhibit polymerization?
Maggie Franklin: Owner & Artist, The Art of Nailz, Visalia CA "Visionary rebel dreamer; obviously way ahead of my time." Maggie Rants [and Raves]@Nails Magazine Facebook -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NailTech" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en.
