2. Nail polish (also called nail varnish or enamel)
is a lacquer.
Varnishes are produced in a variety of colours
and finishes such as clear, metallic and
pearlescent.
There are certain nail polishes that help to
strengthen and enhance the growth of our nails.
These have strengthening fibres and proteins
which prevent nails from chipping, breaking or
splitting and thus promote healthy growth of the
nails.
Introduction
3. History
Nail colouring may have originated with the Chinese in 3000 B.C.
Nail polish is invention of 20th century.
Colouring of nails is not a new concept.
In ancient days upper class of Egypt used henna to colour hair
and nails.
The Japanese and Italians are thought to have been the first ones
to use nail polish.
The Chinese used a color lacquer, made from a combination of
Arabic gum, egg whites, gelatin and beeswax.
They also used a mixture consisting of mashed rose, orchid and
impatiens petals combined with alum.
4. When applied to nails for a few hours or overnight, leaves a
color ranging from pink to red.
The Egyptians used reddish-brown stains derived from henna to
color their nails as well as the tips of their fingers.
Chinese royalty used gold and silver to improve their nails.
In ancient Egypt, nail color represented your social class.
Queen Nefertiti, polished her nails ruby red and queen
Cleopatra polished hers a deep rust red.
Women in the lower rank, colored their nails a pale color.
History
6. Ingredients
Lacquer base
Colouring agents
Other formulating agents
Film former
Resin
Solvent
plasticizer
Dyes
Pigments
Perfume
7. Ingredient type Typical % Function
Solvent 70-80% Common solvents are
acetone, ethyl alcohol,
ethyl acetate and n-
butyl acetate.
Additional solvents such
as toluene and
isopropyl alcohol can
also be used as diluents
(to
Adjust final viscosity)
Raw material for nail polish
Colorant 5% Colorants are
available as
predispersed liquids.
8. Resin 12% Nitrocellulose is the main
resin used, producing a
hardwearing, glossy, non-
toxic film with
Good adhesion. Additional
“secondary” resins are often
used to modify the film
Characteristics to improve
flexibility, gloss, ease of
application (brush ability),
resistance to
Chipping, adhesion etc.
Recent developments
include the introduction of
other resins
Such as methacrylates and
vinyl polymers to replace the
nitrocellulose.
9. Plasticizer 1% Added to keep the
product soft and
pliable. Typically
dibutyl phthalate is
used.
Suspending agent Up to 7% The pigments are
suspended rather than
dissolved into the
varnish. Clays such as
Bentonite and
hectorite are used to
stabilize the
suspension
Filler 2% Silica and other fillers
may be added. Some
fillers may be used to
obtain special effects
Such as pearlescence,
metallic finish etc.
10. Grinding of pigments
Manufacture of nail lacquers
Mixing of pigments with lacquer
Safety aspects
Manufacture of nail polish
11. Add 75% of the solvent and whole of the dilute in a
mixer. Mix well.
Nitrcellulose is then added with stirrer on
Solvent is added
Plasticizer is added
Resin is added
Mixing is continued for several hours until solution of
all ingredients is complete
Clear lacquer is formed
Passed through filter press or centrifuged
Pigmented chips or concentrated tinters are added
and mixing is continued
Nail lacquer product is formed
Steps :
12.
13. Since nail lacquers are highly inflammable,
filling, capping and packaging must be carried
out under fire proof and explosion proof
conditions.
Proper care and precautions should be
followed such as good ventilation, proper
electrical wiring and prohibition of cigarette
smoking in the working area
Filling
14. Glass bottles with a brush applicator is the
most conventional container which is used for
the packaging of nail lacquers.
The capacity varies from 8ml to 18ml
The applicator consists of an air tight
aluminium canister with an acrylic fibre tip or
nib which applies polish directly to nails.
Packing and labeling