Gel Nails | Artificial Nails Terms Explained

As you enter the beauty world, especially the one related to nails and their enhancements there are dozens of terms which may become difficult to understand when you come across them. Some are also similar sounding and at times you may also end up confusing one for the other.

The terms below intend to explain the definitions related to artificial nails and iron out any confusion that you may face:

A
Abrasive Material like the emery or pumice stone used for smoothing and polishing skin to remove dead skin.

Absorbent Material which soaks or absorbs liquids.

Acrylic - A coating formed by mixing together a ratio of polymer (powder) and monomer (liquid). This mix creates a mixture which when applied on natural nails, forms an enhancement mimicking the features of the natural nail.

Adhesive Chemical which binds two surfaces together.

Allergen Natural or artificial substance which is capable of causing an allergic reaction.

Allergic Reaction Allergy caused due to the allergen which may produce itchiness, redness, blisters and swelling.

Artificial nail builder Enhancements used for building or lengthening the natural nails.

B
Bacteria An organism with a single cell.

Benzoyl Peroxide An initiator which is sensitive to heat and used in monomers and polymers.

Brittleness Features determining how likely the nail is weak, brittle or expected to break.

C
Callus Thickening of the skin especially on the heel area which can be cleaned by means of a pumice stone.

Contamination Impurities caused in a substance due to the addition or contact with something.

Co-polymer Polymer made with two or more monomers.

Cross linked Chemical bonding created between polymer chains which strengthens the chemical.

Crystallization Formation of crystals on the nail plate. These crystals are formed when the monomer freezes before it reacts with the polymer and solidifies.

Cuticle Translucent skin at the bottom of the proximal fold.

D
Dehydration Removal of moisture from the nail plate so that it responds better to the action of adhesives.

De-lamination Coming apart of two layers stuck by adhesive due to lack of moisture on the natural nail plate.

Disinfection A process by which you sterilize tools and implements.

Distal Edge The free edge of the nail plate.

E
Epidermis The upper most layer of the skin on which the bottom of the nail plate is attached.

Eponychium - Thick layer of skin surrounding the finger and toe nails. It protects the nail and the epidermis from infection of bacteria.

Essential Oils Concentrated oils extracted from flowers and plants.

Esters Chemical compounds used in fragrances.

Etch This term is usually used while making a design on glass. In nail terminology, it means the preparation of the nail surface by removing the surface moisture and shine from the natural nail and making it ready for the adhesion of enhancements like acrylics and gels.

Ethyl Methacrylate EMA is a monomer used for the purpose of creating artificial nail enhancements.

Exfoliate Different scrubs used to remove dead skin cells and invigorating the skin by massaging the exfoliating cream or lotion.

F
Free Radicals Molecules which mix with other molecules and cause chemical reactions.

G
Gel Nails Type of nail enhancement for the purpose of beautifying or extending natural nails.

H
Hydroxyl Methacrylate HEMA is a monomer protein known for its adhesive properties. It attaches itself to the protein on the nail plate and hence used for adhesion.

Hyponychium Portion of epidermis under the free edge of the nail plate.

K
Kerationcyte Skin cell responsible for the formation of keratin.

L
Lateral Nail Fold Soft tissue on the sides of the nail.

Lunula The crescent shape is at the nail base and the area immediately in front of it is the lunula.

M
Matrix The portion which produces the cells through which nails grow. It contains blood vessels and nerves. The cells that it produces get hardened and flattened out to become the natural nail plate.

Methylacrylate MMA is a substance banned by the FDA in the 70s and is known for its strong odor for identification. Its usage has known to cause damage to the natural nails and also allergic reactions at times.

Monomer A liquid/molecule which is mixed with a polymer in a ratio to create the right consistency for application on nails. It consists of repeating polymer units.

N
Nail Bed The portion containing blood vessels on which the nail plate sits.

Nail Conditioner Agents which are used to moisturize nails and improve their look and condition.

Nail Plate The hardened cells or keratin which is the upper part of the nail.

Nail Root This is present beneath the skin, the origin of which is the matrix.

O
Over exposure Continuous or repeated exposure to any substance which may cause an adverse reaction.

P
Polymer Synthetic material which is made up of repeating units of monomer.

Prep A dehydrator which removes natural moisture from the nails to make it ready for enhancement applications.

Primer Methacrylic acid which aids in product retention and acts like an adhesive as one end of its molecule sticks to the natural nail and the other end of its molecule sticks to the monomer.

Proximal Nail Fold The closest end of the nail which helps seal the matrix from where the new nail cells grow.

S
Solehorn Epidermis at the bottom of the nail plate which extends beyond the free nail edge.

These basic terms should help you get acquainted with often used nail industry terms.