Have you ever painted a neon pink set of nails and when the come out of the lamp after curing have gone darker? Or similarly, painted a set of lighter pink nails only to find the colour has faded? It’s one of those phenomena in the industry that is so frustrating and common to many brands, but why does it happen?
Pink is notorious for being the least stable pigment in gel polishes, but why?
- Organic Pigments: Many pink gel polishes use organic pigments, which are often less stable under UV light compared to inorganic pigments. Organic pigments are more prone to breaking down and fading when exposed to UV radiation.
- Dye Sensitivity: Some dyes used in pink gel polishes are particularly sensitive to UV light, making them more likely to fade.
There are a few factors that can affect various pink shades:
- Oxidation: UV light can cause oxidation reactions, where the pigments react with oxygen in the air, leading to a breakdown of the colourants and resulting in fading.
- · Photo initiators: The photo initiators in gel polishes, which help to harden the gel when exposed to UV light, can sometimes contribute to the degradation of pigments over time. Prolonged exposure to UV light can degrade certain pigments, causing them to change colour or become less vibrant. This degradation can result in a darker hue.
The process of polymerisation of the photo initiators can sometimes influence the appearance of the pigments, particularly if the curing process isn't uniform or if the polish contains high concentrations of certain photo initiators.
- Heat Generation: The exothermic reaction during curing can also impact the pigments, potentially leading to slight colour changes.
Environmental Factors:
- Exposure Time: Prolonged exposure to sunlight or other UV light sources can accelerate fading. Even indirect exposure, such as through windows, can contribute to colour changes over time.
- Additional UV Sources: Tanning beds and certain types of indoor lighting can also emit UV radiation that contributes to fading.
Neon pink gel polishes can go darker in UV light due to a combination of chemical reactions and the properties of the pigments and dyes used in the polish. Here are some additional reasons why the neon colours may be affected.
- Photochemical Reactions:
- UV Light Exposure: UV light can trigger photochemical reactions in the pigments and dyes used in neon pink gels. These reactions can alter the molecular structure of the colourants, leading to a darker appearance.
- Fluorescence: Neon colours, including neon pink, often contain fluorescent pigments. These pigments absorb UV light and re-emit it as visible light, creating the bright, glowing effect typical of neon colours.
- Colour Shift: The fluorescence can be affected by the intensity and duration of UV exposure. Over time, the pigments can shift in colour, often resulting in a darker shade.