What is Slip Solution? Do You Need it For Poly Gel Nails?

If you’re a fan of having your nails done, then you’ll be well aware that there are now a million ways to dazzle the tips of your fingers. There’s the old-school way of using simple nail polish.

And then, there are press-on nails and toenails to tickle your fancy. Of course, there are also acrylics, gels, and polygel nail polish, which most nail enthusiasts take a trip to the salon for.

So, where does slip solution come into all of this? Well, if you’re a fan of polygel nail polish, slip solution plays a big part in the process.

So, what is slip solution, exactly? What does it do for your polygel nails?

In this article, we give you the lowdown, as well as some alternatives.

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What is Slip Solution?

Slip solution is basically a chemical compound that is used to make the consistency of polygel nail polish much thinner. Polygel nail polish, out of the bottle, is a thick, stringy, and oftentimes sticky substance that is difficult to mold.

The slip solution is used to thin out the polygel nail polish so that its application onto your nails is made much easier.

Slip solution is basically a chemical compound that is used to make the consistency of polygel nail polish much thinner.

The compound doesn’t have anything to do with curing your polygel nail polish, though. You will need a UV or LED nail lamp to do that.

Slip solution itself is a water-based and non-toxic chemical compound that is easy to use and dries quickly. It doesn’t leave any sticky residue on your fingers or hands and is safe to use with both natural and artificial nails.

The main ingredients that you will find in most brands of slip solution are isopropyl alcohol and isobutyl acetate, although the rest of the chemicals contained in the bottle will be different, depending on the manufacturer.

Many other common ingredients among the bigger brands include jojoba and soybean oils, vitamin E, and glycerin. All of these ingredients work to keep the skin around your nails supple and hydrated during the process, as a cuticle oil might.

Although some polygel nail kits like this one from Beetles  already include some slip solution in the box, they don’t usually give you a lot. And many kits don’t include any.

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And it’s not always easy to find slip solutions being sold these days, because of manufacturing and supply shortages

Although some polygel nail kits already include some slip solution in the box, others do not. And it’s not always easy to find slip solutions being sold these days, because of manufacturing and supply shortages after the pandemic.

A slip solution is also a great way to keep your manicure (or pedicure) lasting much longer than is usually the case.

That’s because polygel nail polish offers the perfect combination of both acrylics and gels, and gives an instant cure with simple UV or LED light.

Polygel nails, which can come in a wide variety of colors, will maintain their shape after several days of wear — sometimes up to two weeks.

They are easy to use and don’t cause as much mess as gel nails, which makes them perfect for beginners who want to create a nail salon experience at home.

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Why Use Slip Solution?

You may be wondering what the point of using slip solution is. Well, for starters, the slip solution acts like a gel-like top coat for your polygel nail polish, which you can then cure under either a UV light or LED lamp.

Glossy Strength

And it does a great job to make sure that your manicure will last for as long as possible.

Slip solution acts as a barrier between your natural nails and the polygel nail polish. This can help with the prevention of any chipping, staining, or smudging.

Polygel slip solutions are also a great way of giving your beautiful nails a very glossy shine.

Temperature, Polygel Nails, and Slip Solution

For the best results, you’ll need to use your polygel slip solution both before applying your polygel nail polish, as well after you apply the top coat.

Also, you should be aware that slip solution will best work in temperatures between 60 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

This means that if you live in a cold, dry climate, or one that’s humid and hotter than 71 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will have to play around to find the right consistency for the slip solution so that you can make your nails appear the way you want them to.

If you live in a cold, dry climate, or one that’s humid and hotter than 71 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will have to play around to find the right consistency for the slip solution so that you can make your nails appear the way you want them to.

If the temperature range that you’re in is above 71 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will find that the slip solution becomes runnier. If the temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, then the gel’s viscosity will thicken.

And if your bottle of slip solution is affected by fluctuating temperature changes, then the gel will become more stringy.

Temperature changes won’t in any way change the effectiveness of the polygel slip solution. However, if it is used outside of the 60-71 degree Fahrenheit range, then the slip solution won’t act in the way it was intended to, and you may find it more difficult to control your creation.

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Slip Solution Alternatives

As mentioned before, some polygel nail kits have slip solutions included in the box. But if yours didn’t, then this means you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle if you need to remove your polygel nails, and you don’t have any slip solution at hand.

You can order one, but that will take some time!

Luckily, there are a couple of things that you can do if you can’t quickly get hold of a bottle of slip solution.

If you need to use an alternative to slip solution, then it has to be a substance that will evaporate quickly, so that it doesn’t affect the polygel formula. It also needs to blend in perfectly with it, so that it ends up looking like a base coat polish.

If you need to use an alternative to slip solution, then it has to be a substance that will evaporate quickly, so that it doesn’t affect the polygel formula. It also needs to blend in perfectly with it, so that it ends up looking like a base coat polish.

Rubbing Alcohol/Isopropyl Alcohol

So to start, you could go to your local drugstore to get a bottle of isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, although the former is a better option because it has a 100% concentration.

Rubbing alcohol also contains water, but it will still do the trick of thinning out your polygel.

Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover

You can also use nail polish remover — as long as it is of the non-acetone variety . You can tell the difference because it will say “non-acetone” somewhere on the label.

Make sure you read the ingredients! Because if you use acetone nail polish remover, you are asking for a disaster to occur.

Make sure you read the ingredients! Because if you use acetone nail polish remover, you are asking for a disaster to occur.

Acetone itself is a strong solvent that is used to remove acrylics and gels. So, using a nail polish remover that has an acetone base will only weaken or even dissolve your polygel. That will make it more prone to lifting, popping, or chipping, which you don’t want to experience.

Acetone-free nail polish remover has similar chemical ingredients to slip solution. However, it should only be used as a last resort, because it has the ability to cause your polygel nails to not last as long as usual.

If you don’t already have an acetone-free nail polish remover at home, then why not try Plant Therapy’s Natural Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover ? This mostly all-natural acetone-free nail polish remover gives off the scent of tropical flowers from its plant-derived ingredients.

Not only will Plant Therapy’s acetone-free nail polish remover gently work to provide the slip you need, but it also won’t dry out your nails in the process.

That’s a win-win in our book!

Gel Base Coat

Our final recommendation for a slip solution alternative is a gel base coat, which can be used in the polygel process. The transparent and fluid consistency of the gel base coat means that you can use it just like you would with a slip solution.

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Slip Slide Away

Do you need to thin out your polygel and don’t know where to turn? Well, now know what slip solution is, how to use it, and some alternatives that can help you with your polygel nail process.

Now get back to doing your nails and completing that beautiful design!