A Homemade DIY Substitute For a Nail Primer & Dehydrator
Nail primers and dehydrators are used so that your acrylics and gel polishes can adhere better to your nails which allows them to last longer and prevents them from lifting easily.
But you don’t necessarily need to buy one, with a bit of work you can make your own DIY version.
So in this article, I will be sharing with you an easy DIY Nail Primer and Nail Dehydrator technique.
How to Make a DIY Nail Dehydrator or Primer
The easiest way to make a DIY Nail Primer and Dehydrator is by using a combination of Acetone and Isopropyl Alcohol.
When correctly used together Acetone and Isopropyl Alcohol can remove most of the oil and moisture from your nails allowing your acrylics and gel polish to last longer without lifting.
You see both moisture and oil hinder your acrylics, gel polish, and even regular polish from bonding to your nail plate. This is why most brands of nail primers and dehydrators work by removing any moisture and oil on your nails.
Related Article – What are Nail Primers & Dehydrators- How & When to Use
How to Use Acetone & Alcohol as a Nail Primer
The quickest and easiest way to make a nail dehydrator is to apply a coat of alcohol and then a coat of acetone over your nails.
- First, using an old but clean nail polish brush, apply a coat of Isopropyl Alcohol onto your nails
- And then once all of the alcohol has evaporated you can apply a coat of acetone onto your nails
- Then allow the acetone to evaporate.
- Finally, once the acetone has dried completely you can start to apply your products.
Avoid using cotton wipes when applying the acetone and alcohol – they can leave residues over your nails. So instead, you can use an old nail polish brush to do the application.
Ensure the nail polish brush is thoroughly cleaned, you can use acetone to clean the brush.
Alternatively, if you have time to plan ahead you can mix the two ingredients in an empty nail polish bottle. I recommend using 1 part acetone and 1 part alcohol.
You need to ensure that the type of bottle that you use can handle the acetone and can be tightly closed. Nail Polish bottles are usually safe to use.
Related Article – Nail Primer vs Base Coat – Which One Should You Use
How Alcohol Works as a Nail Primer & Dehydrator
Most brands of nail dehydrators have a small amount of Isopropyl Alcohol.
The alcohol is used to disinfect your nails by killing any harmful bacteria on the surface of your nails.
Another benefit is that the alcohol can help to dissolve some of the oil sediments on your nails making it easier for the acetone to clean your nails.
You should only use very concentrated alcohol since alcohol with a lower concentration tends to have a lot of water which can leave some moisture on your nails.
I recommend using 99% Pure Isopropyl Alcohol since it has the least amount of water. You can click here to see the brand that I use and the price on Amazon.
How Acetone Works as Nail Primer & Dehydrator
Acetone is used for two purposes, it is used to:
1- Dissolves the Oily Layer on Your Nails
When the acetone is applied over your nails it breaks down most of the oily sediments and then removes it when it is evaporated.
Related Article – Are Nail Primers & Dehydrators Necessary – Benefits & Risks
2- Removes any Moisture on the Nail Plates
Acetone is an extremely volatile liquid and evaporates very quickly at room temperature.
This quick evaporation allows it to work as a dehydrator since it forces the moisture on your nails to evaporate as well.
Most brands of dehydrators use acetates for this function but you can substitute it with acetone.
Just like alcohol, you need to use pure acetone since some brands have additives that can leave residues which will hinder the effectiveness of the acetone to act as a dehydrator.
I usually use 99% pure acetone, you can click here to see the brand that I use and to see the price on Amazon.
Important Note:
You need to ensure that the acetone is completely evaporated before applying your acrylics or gel polish.
Any residual acetone can weaken your acrylics and gel polish.
Related Article – 4 Best Nail Bonders to Make Your Gel Nails Last Longer
Bonus Tip
Now to be honest the DIY method isn’t as effective as using nail primers and dehydrators that were specially made to bond your acrylics and gel polish to your nails.
This is because professional primers don’t only remove oil and moisture some of them go a step further and actually change the PH of your nail plate And some even work as a specialized glue, allowing your acrylics and gel polish to have an extremely strong adhesion with your nails.
These Nail primers will allow your nails to last much longer without chipping or lifting
So if you want a professional and strong nail primer and dehydrator, you can click here to read my recommendations.
Citation and References Used
