Anyone who has worked with Hard Gels before knows just how much the thickness can vary. The ‘thickness’ is actually viscosity, and viscosity can be influenced by temperature. What does that mean for us? It means we are in control of the gel, not the other way round!
So what is viscosity?
Viscosity is a similar concept to thickness but not quite – it’s actually a measure of a product’s resistance to distortion. Think of a funnel – if we pour honey into that funnel, it will drain slowly. If we pour water into the funnel, it will rush straight through. This is because honey has a higher viscosity than water. A product with low viscosity moves more quickly because its molecular makeup results in very little friction when it is moving.
How does heat affect viscosity?
When a product is warm, the molecules begin to move. The energy of this movement is enough to overcome the bind between the molecules, allowing the product to become runnier – effectively decreasing its viscosity.
What does all this have to do with nails?
Have you ever noticed that sometimes your Hard Gel is really runny and floods more easily? Chances are, you’re noticing this on a hot day, or when your salon is really warm. Put the jar in the fridge for 2-3 minutes (no more than that!). This will increase the viscosity and make it easier to work with.
The same goes with cold weather – sometimes your gel becomes so thick that it’s difficult to use. In this case, it needs to be warmed. You could wrap it in a hot towel, or you could keep it simple – just pop the jar under your leg as you prep and let your body heat do the work.
I love the science behind the products we use and learning exactly why they react to things the way they do.
The longer I’m in this industry the more I learn just how much we are not only artists, confidantes and craftsmen – we are scientists too. Chemistry has a massive amount to do with our work and knowledge is power!
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