How does this work then? I was told when training that you couldn't apply a gel top coat over normal polish as it's not completely dry and can therefore cause fungal problems underneath the layer of gel top coat?
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sorry to say your training is very incorrect - the solvents in nail polish will kill pathogens very nicely..
added to that, fungus is almost non-existent on hands as the environment is completely wrong for it to thrive...
The science behind these products sounds quite misleading and would
undoubtedly lead to service breakdown...
Lets look at why...
1) polish you mix into gel..
gel is an oligomer (short chain of preformed monomers) that uses a catalyst to turn into a solid - nail polish is a solvent evaporation leaving behind a nitrocellulose plastic coating
Mixing these two together will stop the solvents evaporating through the polymers forming AND the polymers will not be able form fully into long chains due to solvents and polish ingredients blocking the chain formation..
2) polish with gel applied over top
In theory this could work, but would have the following limitation - if the polish is not fully cured the solvents will not be able to evaporate, weaking the structure. (NAIL POLISH TAKES UP TO 12 H0URS FOR ALL SOLVENTS TO EVAPORATE) So.... would you wait till tomorrow to top coat?
And most importantly, the gel will then only stay on as well as the polish can hold it, as opposed to a full gel system that has the bond direct to the nail plate...
anyway, thats my science lesson over - I'm sure many techs will find it works 'good enough' for them and won't be worried