Did you notice that almost all nail salons apply a thin coat of a product before applying the nail paint you want? This product is a nail primer. Salons apply a layer of nail primer before your regular nail polish as it helps not let it lift easily and lasts longer.
We know that finding a nail primer can be a hassle. So, if you have been wondering, “what can I use instead of a nail primer?” This article is for you.
What Can I Use Instead of a Nail Primer?
You can use alcohol instead of a nail primer, but be careful not to overdo things. To help you with this, here are a few tips and tricks to guide you with the proper application.
The first step is to apply a coat of alcohol to your nails. Once it dries up, top it off with a single coat of Acetone. But make sure that your nail bed is dry before applying the Acetone, as it helps to retain the nails longer. If you want to avoid residue marks, stay away from cotton balls.
To prepare the nail primer, you will require two ingredients – half a bottle of Acetone and half a bottle of alcohol. All you need to do is mix them well and store them in air-tight packaging. If you have empty nail polish containers, that will work best to store without spilling.
Use of alcohol and Acetone as a nail primer
You cannot see bacteria with the naked eye, but it exists everywhere. Your nails are no different. A lot of brands contain small amounts of Isopropyl Alcohol in them.
Using Alcohol to wipe your nails helps clear off the harmful bacteria on your nail bed. It ensures that the new nail polish lasts longer and has a seamless application. Not just that, Alcohol and acetone also do the work of removing excess oil and moisture from the nails.
Try and use concentrated Alcohol to not have your nails soak in moisture. The less dilute the Isopropyl Alcohol is, the better it works.
Work of Acetone as a Nail Dehydrator and Nail Primer
Many brands use acetates, but Acetone is the best alternative. Acetone evaporates at room temperature and does the job of a dehydrator. After applying Acetone to your nails, please wait for it to evaporate, as it automatically removes oil from the nails. If you apply nail polish on Acetone, your gel polish and acrylics tend to weaken.
Tips:
- You cannot compare the branded dehydrators and nail primers to the DIY procedure. It is not as effective as the branded primers.
- Your gel polish and acrylics may not stick well and may peel off.
- The professional primers tend to change the PH level of the nail plate, whereas branded nail primers make your nails last a longer period as they stick well to your nails.
DIY primer/nail dehydrator
The biggest hindrance to your gel polish and acrylics is oil and moisture. Many brands of dehydrators and primers remove excess oil and moisture from your nails.
Combine Isopropyl Alcohol and Acetone to make a DIY dehydrator and nail primer.
Isopropyl Alcohol and Acetone help remove 95% moisture and oil from the nails with the correct proportions. It helps the gel polish and acrylics to stay for a longer period.
Do You Have To Use Nail Primer?
It is unnecessary to apply a nail primer or a nail dehydrator before you do your acrylic nails. But definitely, you would want to know the mind-blowing benefits a nail primer has. So here are a few of them.
A nail primer increases the lifespan of manicures. It does not lift, chip or peel and last for over three weeks. What’s more? Your nails look consistent, and you save time in grooming yourself. You also save a lot of money because you don’t need to change your acrylic regularly.
But like every good thing, it surely has some drawbacks too.
Methacrylic Acid, which is present in most primers, damages your nails. If you use Acid-based primers, it weakens your natural nails. Chances are that it will cause holes and microscopic tears on your nails.
What happens if you don’t use a primer before acrylic nails?
You can eliminate service breakdown of nails by properly using a nail primer and preparing the nail plate well. Nail and skin problems can arise due to incorrect use of a primer.
Too much usage can damage nails as primers contain many chemicals in them. Without the correct proportion of a primer, the gel or acrylics tend to lift off from your nails. The nail plate ultimately becomes thin.
You can use Acid-based or Acid-free primers. The acid-free primer is a better choice as it is a double-sided sticky tape and protects your nails, unlike the Acid-based primer, which causes tiny holes in your nails, ultimately damaging them.
An Acid-free primer protects your nails as it contains an ingredient that slightly changes the PH level of your natural nails, but an acid primer removes all the excess moisture and oil from your nails.
Usage of the primer depends on the brand you are using and its consistency. Do follow all instructions carefully before use. Silk, nail polish, gel polish, and fiberglass do not require a primer, so you should know how to use a primer. Do check your primer’s clarity before usage.
Conclusion
I have tried to incorporate various tips and tricks and the usage of primers. Don’t use any product until you carefully read all the rules and regulations.