Running out of nail polish removers is a crisis we all have suffered at some point. And after a long tiring event, you would not want to get your shoes on and go to a supermarket to buy one, especially when a chemical already available at your home will do the trick.
So this begs the question, how effective is hydrogen peroxide in removing nail paints? And if it is, how can you do it by yourself at home?
Read on to find out all about it!
SNS Nail Polishes
When it comes to the world of cosmetics and beauty products, nail polishes are one of the biggest stars. A simple way of bringing out the contour of a dress you have to wear or just to feel radiant, nail paints are the way to go. And what other company to best place your trust than SNS and its nail polishes.
However, after a long hard day of looking glamorous, all you would want to do is remove these nail paints and relax.
You run out of nail polish remover most of the time, primarily due to the cap lid remaining half-opened or forgetting to order a new batch. But do you know, even in that time of crisis, hydrogen peroxide comes again to your rescue with its fantastic cleansing properties?
But before we can begin discussing how exactly hydrogen peroxide is effective in removing nail paints, we first have to look at the chemical composition of both these compounds.
Nail Polish Composition – Why Hydrogen Peroxide is Effective In Its Removal
Have you ever wondered how the colored liquid present inside the nail paint bottle turns into a dry coat whenever you apply it over your nails? What is the mechanism behind this, and how is hydrogen peroxide effective in targeting this process?
Conventionally, nail polishes are made up of complex long-chain polymers with pigments (which give the paint its characteristic color).
These polymers are dissolved in a solvent that retains the liquid media of the solution and prevents the polymer from clamping into itself. The most commonly used solvents are ethyl acetate or butyl acetates, with low boiling points.
Whenever these chemicals are exposed to average temperatures, they quickly evaporate. What is left behind is a coat of colored pigment responsible for the glossy color of your nails.
And we see how people living in colder regions have to use unique nail polishes with solvents with a lower boiling point!
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent and can react with any chemical present within its reactive range.
The most common polymer of nail polishes, e.g., nitrocellulose has carbon and nitrogen bonds. Whenever hydrogen peroxide is exposed to this compound, it loses its composition and reacts with the chemical.
Nail Polish Removers – The Mechanism
Now that we know the mechanism behind normal nail paints and how they stick to your nails and form a glossy coat, we can discuss how nail polish removers work.
The most common nail polish remover people are acetone-based products. What this chemical does is that it starts to dissolve the nitrocellulose polymer as well as the glossy coats, which are made up of non-polar fatty acids.
By doing this, acetone quickly strips the nail of its color, and you see coarse parts of the original paint after applying the chemical. This is the partially dissolved form of the original pigments which have left the nail.
Removing Nail Polish Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Now that we know exactly what happens whenever you apply a nail polish remover on your painted nails, we can get into the complete procedure of how you can accomplish that task using hydrogen peroxide as well.
Mind you, the key for removing nail polish lies in dissolving nitrocellulose polymer present in the dye and some of the non-polar lipids to expose the natural nails. Most of this task is accomplished through the oxidative properties of hydrogen peroxide!
What Do You Need
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- A bowl
- Warm water
- Nail file
The Procedure
- You first have to make a solution by mixing ⅔ hydrogen peroxide and ⅓ warm water into a bowl
- The hot water increases the breaking down of hydrogen peroxide so that more oxygen is liberated
- Then dip your fingers into the solution until the nails are fully submerged
- Gently massage the nail polish off, and you will start to notice how to dye starts to peel off easily
- Once you are satisfied with the removal, take your fingers out
- As a final touch, use a nail file to scrub off any remaining nail paint
And voila! It is as easy as taking off nail polish from the regular acetone solution as well as quite effective. This amazing utility of hydrogen peroxide makes it a favorite among users.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Is It Safe?
As we are done with the procedure, as well as all the basic stuff you need to know about nail paints and how they are removed, we can address the main concern that people have regarding hydrogen peroxide.
Due to its reactive nature, whenever hydrogen peroxide is applied over the skin (in situations such as disinfecting), it starts to react with cells indiscriminately.
Therefore, some people complain of a mild burning sensation whenever hydrogen peroxide is applied to the skin.
However, research shows that at lower concentrations like 3%, hydrogen peroxide is entirely safe for human use. Some doctors even suggest adding hydrogen peroxide in mouthwashes for a deeper clean.
So, when it comes to the tough, keratinized coating of the nails, hydrogen peroxide is most certainly safe and recommended by experts.
The Bottom Line
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most popular disinfecting agents in the market. The ease of availability and wide functionality makes it a must-have at everyone’s home.
This chemical is a star when it comes to DIY home procedures, and that’s because it’s effective along with being safe.
Removing nail paints using hydrogen peroxide is just another case of hydrogen peroxide’s versatility. Some people even prefer to use hydrogen peroxide as a nail polish remover because it is available at every home.
So, if you do not have hydrogen peroxide at your home, order a set today!
