Acrylates - Information (Polyacrylates, Cyanoacrylates)

Petroleum: An Everyday Item

Without “black gold,” our modern daily lives would be unthinkable.

Refining

The crude oil that is extracted must be refined into petroleum before it can be used as fuel. Since crude oil consists of more than 500 components, byproducts are also produced during refining.

Byproducts of Refining

Plastics made from petroleum are ubiquitous. About 15% of the petroleum produced is used to manufacture plastics. Products such as PVC flooring, medical devices, window frames, foam in mattresses and upholstered furniture, as well as most of today’s clothing, are made from acrylic fibers. Even everyday items like yogurt cups, cream containers, and DVDs are made from petroleum. Some chemical products, such as surfactants in laundry detergents, ammonium salts in fertilizers, and certain medications like ammonia, are also made from petroleum. Most adhesives, paints, and varnishes are also synthetic petroleum products.

Main Ingredients in Eyelash Adhesives

The most commonly used ingredient in eyelash adhesives is cyanoacrylate, but polyacrylate is also becoming increasingly popular. Polyacrylate has the advantage that it evaporates differently than cyanoacrylate during polymerization and is therefore less irritating.

Difference between cyanoacrylate and polyacrylate

While cyanoacrylate is initially produced during manufacturing, polyacrylate is produced later in the process. Polyacrylate is of higher quality and therefore evaporates differently than cyanoacrylate during polymerization.

Adhesive Vapors as Triggers of Reactions

Polyacrylate vapors are less “aggressive” than cyanoacrylate vapors, which improves their tolerability. Clients who react to conventional eyelash adhesives usually do so because of the cyanoacrylate vapors. With polyacrylate, the risk of a reaction is therefore lower. This also explains why some clients can wear eyelash extensions with polyacrylate adhesives without any problems.

What other ingredients can cause reactions?

Sometimes, however, clients do not react to acrylates, but to other ingredients in the eyelash adhesive. The pigment in the adhesive is believed to be the second most common cause of reactions.

Is polyacrylate eyelash adhesive only for sensitive clients?

An eyelash adhesive containing polyacrylate is not only suitable for sensitive clients but can also be used as a standard adhesive, as it offers excellent long-lasting adhesion.

UV Eyelash Adhesive with a Photoinitiator as the Main Ingredient

Another innovative development in the field of eyelash adhesives is UV eyelash adhesive, which uses a photoinitiator as its main ingredient. This type of adhesive cures under ultraviolet light and offers several advantages over conventional adhesives. The main ingredient, the photoinitiator, reacts to UV light to initiate the adhesive’s curing process. This allows eyelashes to be applied more quickly and efficiently, as no drying time is required. In addition, UV eyelash glue often offers improved durability and flexibility, resulting in a more natural look and long-lasting results.

What were those old, harsh adhesives like?

In the past, people tried to reduce the cyanoacrylate content to minimize fumes during polymerization. However, this resulted in a very slow-curing adhesive and a shorter shelf life. That wasn’t practical for everyday salon use and didn’t exactly make clients happy either.

Thank you for reading!

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