Having beautiful, long-lasting nails is a goal for many women. But achieving salon-quality nails at home can be a challenge without the right products and techniques. Using a nail dehydrator and primer is key to helping your manicure last.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Apply nail dehydrator first to clean nails and remove oils<\/b>. Let dry, then apply primer to help polish adhere better. Finish with base coat, color and top coat for a long-lasting manicure.<\/p>\n
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to properly use nail dehydrator and primer for the perfect at-home manicure.<\/p>\n
A nail dehydrator is a solution that is applied to the natural nail plate before nail enhancements or polish. It removes oils, moisture, and residue from the nail’s surface to allow products like gel, acrylics, or regular nail polish to properly adhere.<\/p>\n
Using a dehydrator preps the nail bed for a long-lasting, chip-free manicure.<\/p>\n
There are a few main types of nail dehydrators:<\/p>\n
Many brands like Young Nails and NSI offer combination dehydrator and primer formulas as well. These convenient products prep and etch the nails in one step.<\/p>\n
Nail dehydrators work to get rid of moisture and residue through the process of evaporation. When applied to the nail plate, the solution saturates the surface and allows oils and moisture to evaporate away. This leaves the nail clean and dry for enhanced adhesion.<\/p>\n
Dehydrators also lightly etch the nail’s surface through gentle abrasives or acids like acetone. This etching creates microscopic grooves for nail products to seep into and grip onto. An etched nail plate allows the enhancement, gel, or polish to anchor strongly and last longer without peeling or chipping.<\/p>\n
Using a primer after dehydrating seals in the nail’s dry, etched state to further prep it for polish. Primers often contain methacrylic acid, which helps products bond by chemically fusing to the keratin layers in the natural nail.<\/p>\n
While dehydrators are optional for regular polish manicures, they are crucial when getting acrylics, dip powder nails, or gel polish overlays. Applying enhancements or gels on top of oils or moisture leads to premature lifting and damage to the natural nail.<\/p>\n
For best results, be sure to fully dehydrate nails and follow with primer before starting your manicure.<\/p>\n
Using a nail dehydrator before a gel manicure is crucial for achieving a long-lasting, chip-free finish. Gel polish adheres best to nails that are free of moisture, oil and debris. A dehydrator will remove any residue and prep the nails for gel application.<\/p>\n
Most professional nail salons will cleanse and dehydrate your nails before applying gel polish. At home, be sure to swipe on dehydrator like Beauty Secrets Nail Prep before using gel polish for optimal results.<\/p>\n
Dehydrating gives the gel something to “grip” onto so it stays put on your nails for up to 3 weeks without lifting or peeling.<\/p>\n
While a dehydrator is especially key before gels, it can also be used before applying regular nail polish. Prepping with a dehydrator helps remove surface oils so polish adheres better and lasts longer without chips and cracks. Using a dehydrator makes any manicure more long-lasting.<\/p>\n
An at-home dehydrator like Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat works for any nail polish type – regular, gel, dip powder, acrylics, etc. Wipe it on clean bare nails before polishing for a smooth, even application.<\/p>\n
While dehydrator is great for prepping for manicures, you’ll want to avoid it in some cases:<\/p>\n
Overuse of dehydrators can dry out the nail plate over time. Use sparingly only when needed, and be sure to keep cuticles and nails moisturized between manicures. An intensive cuticle oil like Bliss Kiss Simply Pure Cuticle & Nail Oil can rehydrate and nourish nails.<\/p>\n
The first step in properly applying nail dehydrator is to make sure your nails are clean. Use nail polish remover to take off any old polish, dirt, or oils from your nails. You’ll want a clean slate before applying dehydrator.<\/p>\n
An alcohol wipe can help get rid of any remaining debris or oils after using remover. Having clean nails helps the dehydrator work best.<\/p>\n
After your nails are squeaky clean, take the nail dehydrator bottle and brush a thin layer onto each nail from base to tip. Don’t glob it on, a thin uniform layer is all you need. Make sure to get the edges of your nails too.<\/p>\n
Let the dehydrator sink in for a few seconds before moving onto the next nail. Getting an even coat of dehydrator helps remove oils and moisture for better polish application.<\/p>\n
Now comes the important step of letting the dehydrator dry completely. This usually takes 60-90 seconds. Resist the urge to hurry and put polish on right away! Letting the dehydrator dry thoroughly allows it to work its magic of sealing and smoothing the nail.<\/p>\n
Have patience during the quick dry time for a lasting manicure. You can wave your hands to help speed up the drying time.<\/p>\n
A nail dehydrator preps your nails for polish and helps it adhere better and last longer. With a good dehydrator base coat, your manicure can last over a week without chips, cracks or peeling! Some salon brands like CND Super Shiney can even prolong polish wear up to three weeks.<\/p>\n
Using nail dehydrator helps polish resist chipping and fading. It’s a great secret for a long-lasting, flawless manicure.<\/p>\n
A nail primer is a product formulated to help nail polish adhere to natural nails and enhance its durability and longevity.<\/b> It essentially provides a foundation or canvas for the polish to stick to.<\/p>\nPurpose of nail primer<\/h3>\n
There are a few key reasons to use a nail primer:<\/p>\n