All you also confused with all those tricky names out there – primer, dehydrator, acetone, base coat, and so on? We’re here to get you sorted.
All the different nail products have some specific requirements. A base coat plays a certain role while a primer plays a totally different role. And you need all these products as a combination to get the perfect manicure of your dreams.
One such essential nail product is a dehydrator. Now it may sound like something that dehydrates. But dehydration is never a good idea, right? So what exactly is a nail dehydrator and why is it needed? Let’s understand.
Nail Dehydrator: How to Use, Apply, and DIY?
If you’re a nail enthusiast or like visiting professional manicurists to get your nails done, you have probably heard about the term ‘dehydrator’. If you’re wondering what is the role and importance of a nail dehydrator and why it is a must-have tool for not just pros but DIY nail lovers too, here’s everything you need to know.
What is a Nail Dehydrator?
Simply put, a nail dehydrator is something that dehydrates your nail surface. It is a part of the nail prep routine in your manicures and is primarily applied before putting on any other nail product.
A dehydrator, as the name suggests, is a liquid solution that helps eliminate excess moisture and oils from your nails. It may sound that dehydrating your nails may be harmful but it is actually the other way around.
Since nails are dead skin cells, they do eliminate some oils and hydration on a regular basis. This moisture hampers with nail polishes and gels and may lead to chipping and lifting. A dehydrator helps reduce this issue by evaporating this moisture from the nails during the nail prep to ensure the products adhere to a completely dry surface.
Speaking of whether dehydrators are harmful, they in fact help control bacterial and fungal buildup preventing infections in and around your nails. These infections, by the way, are primarily caused by moisture itself.
Nail dehydrators have chemicals like isopropyl alcohol and pH balancing formulas in their composition. This helps in evaporating moisture from the surface without disturbing the pH balance of the nails. This means that being acetone-free, they don’t cause excessive dryness preventing nail damage.
So, a dehydrator is essentially a liquid-based treatment used to eliminate extra moisture from unpolished nails and dehydrate them fully. The product also has antifungal properties that help keep nail infections and skin diseases at bay.
How is it Different from Acetone and Primer?
You don’t need to confuse between different products. Each one of acetone, primers, and dehydrators has a specific role no matter how small. Here’s how all three differ from one another:
1) Dehydrator vs. Acetone
In one word, dehydrator is not the same as acetone. Acetone is not used for dehydrating but for removal of products. It dissolves nail polishes and helps remove them. Contrarily, a dehydrator removes moisture, enhances adhesion, and prevents nail infections. It contains alcohol-based ingredients but cannot help in product removal.
2) Dehydrator vs. Primer
A Dehydrator has a distinct role from a primer. While a dehydrator dries out the natural nails and creates a clean canvas, a nail primer acts as an adhesion enhancer. The alcohol content in dehydrators helps eliminate oils and moisture and the acid-based formula of primers helps products, especially acrylics, bond more securely with the nails.
How to Use, Apply, and DIY Nail Dehydrator
It is very easy to use a nail dehydrator for both pros and beginners. All you need to do is follow some simple steps:
1) Prep your nails correctly
Remove any old nail polish before beginning. Shape and file your nails as per your requirements. Make sure you remove all the dust and debris from your nail surface after buffing your nail surface.
2) Apply the dehydrator
Nail dehydrators usually come with a brush-on applicator. You can also use a lint-free wipe to apply it. Apply the nail dehydrator in small quantities; one dip in the bottle is all you need to coat one hand’s fingernails.
3) Let it dry
Most nail dehydrators/ are air-dry. All you need is to wait for a few seconds till the entire nail surface looks dry and matte. Once the product has evaporated completely, you’re good to go ahead. You don’t need any UV/LED lamp to cure these nail dehydrators.
4) Prime and decorate
After the dehydrator has dried, apply a primer normally and then layer it with a base coat for a smooth and flawless finish. Now, if you’re DIYing your manicure, apply your nail polish just as you’d do otherwise. Let everything dry between coats for a smooth, long-lasting manicure.
Make sure you don’t skip your dehydrator in the case of using gel polish. Using a dehydrator and primer helps in better adhesion of nail gels thereby protecting your natural nails from the harmful effects of nail gels and curing lamps. If you’re working with acrylic nail enhancements, apply the dehydrator to the natural nail surface only, not the fake nail tip.
Wrapping Up Nail Dehydrators
Understanding nail dehydrators empowers you to take your manicure game to the next level. By incorporating this essential product into your routine, you ensure a longer-lasting, flawless finish, whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional nail artist. With its simple application and profound impact, a nail dehydrator is a game-changer for achieving salon-quality nails at home.
So, don’t hesitate to include it in your nail care routine and watch as your manicures not only last longer but also look more stunning than ever.
