There are many nail products out there in the form of polishes, drops and even sprays claiming to dry your nails instantly. While I'd love to cut down on drying time when doing a manicure, I was curious about the technology behind quick-dry products and if they really dry quicker than "regular" nail polish.

How do nail polishes work?
First, it's helpful to understand the key ingredients that go into making a nail polish:

  • Solvents - Usually the first ingredient in a polish (ethyl acetate, butyl acetate and alcohol are common choices). Solvents are volatile liquids (just means that they evaporate quickly) and also allow the ingredients required in polish to mix together so you have a uniform product. Solvents are the key ingredient in determining the dry time of your polish as well as the thickness of the product.

  • Film Formers - They're listed as nitrocellulose on the ingredient label. Film formers allow the polish to form a nice, smooth surface once it is applied.

  • Resins - Used to modify the film and enhance its properties. Resins add gloss and hardness to the film.

  • Plasticizers - Add flexibility to the film. Resins and film formers create a hard film but it can be brittle and chip easily. Plasticizers give the film more flexibility which helps to reduce chipping.

  • Pigments and Pearls - These are the ingredients that give your polish color and shimmer. Ingredients like titanium dioxide and mica give polish a "pearly" effect.

How does quick-dry polish work?
Quick-dry polish uses the same technology and ingredients that are used in regular polish, the only difference is the ratio of ingredients. Quick-dry polishes use higher levels of solvents (remember that solvents evaporate quickly) - more solvent means that the evaporation rate increases, thus reducing your dry time. The issue with reducing dry time is that the film formers don't always have enough time to set a proper film. Quick-dry polishes have to add another film former (copolymer) to help ensure a good-quality film is formed.

How do other quick-dry products work?
There are other quick-dry products available that are not polishes but usually drops or sprays that you can apply immediately after painting your nails. These products claim to dry nails almost instantly. They use simple formulas that contain volatile (quick-drying) silicones which protect the nail polish film from smudging while it dries and helps the solvent in the nail polish evaporate quicker.

Do quick-dry products actually work?
Yes, they do work. However, you are not going to get completely dry nails in "less than a minute" as is often claimed. Quick-dry products can reduce your dry time but they don't eliminate it. If you glop on thick coats of polish and expect it to dry right away you will be disappointed. Even, thin coats of polish will give you the best results and help minimize setting time. A quick-dry top coat works well in protecting your polish and can reduce overall finishing time.

Bottom Line
While quick-dry products offer some benefit in reducing dry time, the difference between them and "regular" polishes is not dramatic. I know that some women swear by quick-dry and others don't think they work at all so it's really up to you to decide what works best. Both types of polishes come in a wide variety of color choices so there really is no down side no matter what polish you choose.

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