2. INTRODUCTION-
Nails are transparent protective coverings on finger
tips and toes of feet. The care of nails is referred to as
Manicuring .
A set of manicure preparations consists of a number of
different cosmetic products which are concerned with
cleansing and decoration of nails.
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3. Manicure preparations include:
Nail lacquer
Enamel remover
Nail cream
Nail bleach
Cuticle remover
Cuticle softener
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4. 1.NAIL LACQUERS :
Definition : “Nail lacquers are viscous preparations
intended to decorate nails of fingers and toes”.
Ideal Characteristics-
• It should have proper viscosity and flow properties.
• It should have uniform colour .
• It should have good gloss and good adhesive
properties.
• It should not produce cracks or become brittle.
• It should have reasonable drying time (1-2 minutes) .
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5. Composition of nail lacquers-
• Film formers
• Resins
• Solvents
• Plasticizer
• Colours
• Pearlescent pigments
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6. Film forming substances-
Impart hardness, toughness, resistance to abrasion .
Nitrocellulose-widely used .
Other examples include cellulose acetate , cellulose
acetate butylate , ethyl cellulose, various polymers of
methacrylate.
Resins-
It impart adhesion and improve gloss , help in dispersing
insoluble pigments .
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7. Natural resins : Shellac, benzoin resins
Synthetic resins: Sulphonamide -formaldehyde resins
(poly aryl sulphonamides ).
Solvents-
Solvents are volatile organic liquids that combine all the
ingredients of lacquer formulation and make a
homogeneous viscous preparation.
Eg.ether,acetone,ethyl alcohol ,benzene
Plasticizers-
• Nitrocellulose or other film formers alone ,normally
make a dull and brittle film which can easily flake off the
nail.
• Plasticizers imparts the gloss adhesion to the nail &reduces
its tendency to shrink.
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8. Two types of plasticizers:
Solvent plasticizers :
Act as solvents and are of high molecular weight. Eg.
Butyl acetyl ricenoleate.
Non-Solvents plasticizers:
Act as a softener. Eg. Castor oil.
Colours-
The colouring agents should disperse well ,should be
resistant to light , acids and alkali found in detergents
,should be non-staining and produce a good gloss. Eg.
Eosin, erythrosine, carmosine
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10. 2.ENAMEL REMOVERS:
Definition : Nail removers / nail cleansers are defined
as the mixture of solvents containing small amounts of
fat intended to remove the nail enamel.
Ideal Characteristics:
It should not be too volatile to evaporate during
application.
It should not be non-irritating to surrounding skin.
It should not leave the nails fatty or sticky.
It should not produce nails become brittle.
It should not have unpleasant odour.
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11. Formula-
1.Castor oil 3ml
2.Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 15 ml
3.Acetone 82ml
4.Perfume q.s
3.NAIL CREAMS
Due to excessive removal of fatty substances from
nail surface the appearance of the nail becomes
dull to overcome this brittleness &maintain the
health of nail some preparations are used.
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12. Emollient cream can be used.
4.NAIL BLEACHES-
• These preparations are used to remove different types
of stains and discoloration on the nails.
• Oxidizing agents normally used are hydrogen
peroxide,zinc peroxide.
• Formula-
1.hydrochloric acid 0.4 ml
2.glycerine 10ml
3.water 89.6ml
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13. 5.Cuticle softeners &Removers
Cuticle softeners :-
The cuticle is the thin fold of skin that extends over
the lunula at the base of the nail.
It becomes unpleasant looking due to its irregular
growths.
Therefore preparations are used to improve its
apperence.
Cuticles softeners can soften the cuticles along with
preventing nail to become brittle.
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14. Cuticle Removers:-
Cuticle Remover are used for a removal of cuticle or by
hydrolysis and swelling of the softened cuticles.
This is done by using potassium hydroxide and sodium
hydroxide.
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15. Evaluation Nail Lacquers:-
1. Drying Rate.
2. Smoothness.
3. Hardness.
4. Water Resistance.
5. Viscosity.
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16. References-
Sanju Nanda, Arun Nanda , Roop K. Khar , Cosmetic
technology ; Birla Publications(Pg No:317) .
B.M.Mithal , R.N.Saha , A hand book of cosmetics ;
Vallabh Prakashan .(Pg no:182-196).
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