Which statement best describes the initiator's role?

• A. It acts as a solvent
• B. It determines color of gel
• C. It is a chemical that speeds up the reaction directly
• D. It starts the polymerisation process when activated

Answer: (D)

The initiator’s job is to start the polymerisation process when it’s activated by energy such as UV or LED light. In gel nails, the photoinitiator absorbs the light and generates free radicals. These radicals create reactive centers on the monomer units, kicking off the chain-growth reactions that build the solid gel network. Without activation, the initiator stays inactive and the gel doesn’t cure.

It isn’t a solvent, so it won’t simply dissolve ingredients to determine consistency. It also doesn’t directly set the gel’s color. And while the overall curing process can be faster under the right conditions, the key role of the initiator is to start the polymerisation once activated, not just to speed it up.