What is the process of polymerisation in nail products?

• A. The initiator kick-starts polymerisation
• B. Heat alone initiates polymerisation
• C. The product polymerises without any initiator
• D. Sunlight starts the polymerisation process

Answer: (A)

Polymerisation in nail products is the chemical curing process that turns a liquid or creamy mixture into a solid nail enhancement by forming long polymer chains. This reaction needs an initiator to start it, because the initiator generates reactive species (free radicals) that begin the chain-growth process.

In many gel systems, a photoinitiator absorbs light from a UV or LED lamp and releases radicals, triggering polymerisation and hardening. In acrylic systems, a chemical initiator present in the monomer or powder starts the reaction when the components mix or when exposed to the appropriate conditions. Without that initiating step, the monomers wouldn’t link into polymers, so the product wouldn’t set.

That’s why the initiator kicking off polymerisation is the best description of how these nail products cure. Heat or sunlight alone aren’t reliable starters for all common systems.