Not many gel nail brands talk about solvents.
Why is that?
Today, we want to talk about something that often stays behind the scenes.
What is a solvent?
A solvent is, simply put, an ingredient that helps dissolve or loosen other substances.
For example, when a solvent is added to a sticky adhesive, it can make the texture easier to spread, coat, or shape. As the solvent evaporates, the adhesive can regain its bonding properties.
Gel materials used in gel nail products can also be highly sticky and viscous, which makes them difficult to process into the desired form.
That is why solvents are commonly used in many gel and adhesive-based manufacturing processes to help control texture, coating, and application.
Why does this matter?
In many cases, solvents are not used as a main ingredient intended to remain in the final product. Instead, they often serve as a processing aid during manufacturing.
This means it may be difficult to tell whether solvents were used simply by looking at the ingredient list.
Because solvents are highly volatile, they mostly evaporate during the manufacturing process. However, the distinct chemical smell you may notice when opening some gel nail strips can come from residual odor related to volatile substances used during production.
In nail product manufacturing and salon environments, exposure to volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs, has been discussed in safety guidelines as something that may affect the respiratory system, skin, and eyes of workers.
Why did LAONSI choose Solvent Free?
At LAONSI, we do not only look at the ingredients in the finished product.
We also care about the process behind it.
A manufacturing method that uses large amounts of solvents can raise considerations for the working environment as well.
That is why LAONSI spent years developing its own solvent-free manufacturing method.
This choice is not only about the final product.
It is about the experience of the person who wears it, and the environment of the people who make it.
What Solvent Free means to us
For LAONSI, Solvent Free is not just about removing one type of ingredient.
It means designing the product more thoughtfully from the very beginning to the final result.
It may seem like a small change.
But we believe that small choices can help create better standards.