NAIL TREATMENT METHOD

Abstract

A nail treatment method includes: a base step of forming a base layer (40) on a nail plate (3); a coloring step of forming a color layer (50) on the base layer (40); and a top step of forming a top coat layer (60) on the color layer (50). In the base step, the base layer (40) is formed so as to be spaced apart from the base of the nail plate (3), and furthermore is formed in a shape including a raised part that has a highest portion at a position that is closer to the base of the nail plate than a position one-half of the length of the nail plate (3) is.

Claims

1. A nail treatment method using a gel nail agent containing photocurable resin, comprising: a base step of forming a base layer on a nail plate by applying a base gel onto the nail plate and curing the base gel by light irradiation; a coloring step of forming a color layer on the base layer by applying a color gel or a mixed gel containing powder or small pieces onto the base layer and curing the color gel or the mixed gel by light irradiation; and a top step of forming a top coat layer on the color layer by applying a top gel onto the color layer and curing the top gel by light irradiation, wherein the nail plate is a nail plate itself, a nail tip when using the nail tip, or a treatment object part formed by the nail plate and the nail tip unified with the nail plate, wherein, in the base step, application and curing of the base gel are performed several times, and at least in a first application, the base gel is applied so as to be spaced apart from a base of the nail plate, and wherein the base layer is formed so as to be spaced apart from the base of the nail plate and furthermore is formed in a shape including a raised part having a highest portion at a position that is closer to the base of the nail plate than a position one-half of a length of the nail plate is.

2. The nail treatment method according to claim 1, wherein, in the base step, the base gel is applied onto a region from the position one-half of the length of the nail plate to a tip of the nail plate in the first application while the base gel is re-applied onto the previously cured base gel so as to be still spaced apart from the base of the nail in a second application and thereafter, and wherein the base layer is formed so that a base side of the nail plate is exposed.

3. The nail treatment method according to claim 1, wherein, in the base step, the base gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view in a second application or thereafter.

4. The nail treatment method according to claim 1, wherein, in the top step, application and curing of the top gel are performed several times, and the top coat layer is formed so as to have a raised part whose highest portion is located at a position one-fourth to one-half of the length of the nail plate from the base of the nail plate.

5. The nail treatment method according to claim 1, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

6. The nail treatment method according to claim 1, wherein, when the nail plate is formed by a nail plate itself of a person to be treated and a nail tip used and unified with the nail plate of the person to be treated, the nail plate is formed so that both side edges of the nail tip in a width direction are extended on respective extended lines of side lines of the nail plate itself of the person to be treated.

7. The nail treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the top coat layer and the color layer that were previously formed are removed while maintaining the base layer previously formed on the nail plate, and wherein, on the maintained base layer and the nail plate, the base step, the coloring step and the top step are performed so as to form a new base layer, a new color layer and a new top coat layer.

8. The nail treatment method according to claim 2, wherein, in the base step, the base gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view in a second application or thereafter.

9. The nail treatment method according to claim 2, wherein, in the top step, application and curing of the top gel are performed several times, and the top coat layer is formed so as to have a raised part whose highest portion is located at a position one-fourth to one-half of the length of the nail plate from the base of the nail plate.

10. The nail treatment method according to claim 3, wherein, in the top step, application and curing of the top gel are performed several times, and the top coat layer is formed so as to have a raised part whose highest portion is located at a position one-fourth to one-half of the length of the nail plate from the base of the nail plate.

11. The nail treatment method according to claim 8, wherein, in the top step, application and curing of the top gel are performed several times, and the top coat layer is formed so as to have a raised part whose highest portion is located at a position one-fourth to one-half of the length of the nail plate from the base of the nail plate.

12. The nail treatment method according to claim 2, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

13. The nail treatment method according to claim 3, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

14. The nail treatment method according to claim 4, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

15. The nail treatment method according to claim 8, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

16. The nail treatment method according to claim 9, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

17. The nail treatment method according to claim 10, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

18. The nail treatment method according to claim 11, wherein, in the top step, the top gel is applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward a tip of the nail plate in plan view.

19. The nail treatment method according to claim 2, wherein, when the nail plate is formed by a nail plate itself of a person to be treated and a nail tip used and unified with the nail plate of the person to be treated, the nail plate is formed so that both side edges of the nail tip in a width direction are extended on respective extended lines of side lines of the nail plate itself of the person to be treated.

20. The nail treatment method according to claim 3, wherein, when the nail plate is formed by a nail plate itself of a person to be treated and a nail tip used and unified with the nail plate of the person to be treated, the nail plate is formed so that both side edges of the nail tip in a width direction are extended on respective extended lines of side lines of the nail plate itself of the person to be treated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating a step of a nail treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a step following the step illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating a step following the step illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0018] FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) are explanatory views sequentially illustrating a base step in the nail treatment method.

[0019] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a step following the step illustrated in FIG. 4(c).

[0020] FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams illustrating a base layer formed in the base steps. FIG. 6(a) is a top view thereof, FIG. 6(b) is a side view viewed from the side of a finger, and FIG. 6(c) is an explanatory cross-sectional view of FIG. 6(b).

[0021] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a coloring step in the nail treatment method.

[0022] FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are explanatory views sequentially illustrating a top step in the nail treatment method.

[0023] FIGS. 9 (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating a finished gel nail by the nail treatment method. FIG. 9(a) is a side view viewed from the side of a finger, FIG. 9(b) is a front view viewed from the tip of the finger, and FIG. 9(c) is an explanatory cross-sectional view of FIG. 9(a).

[0024] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a state in which the nail has grown from the state illustrated in FIG. 9(a).

[0025] FIG. 11 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a repairing step in the nail treatment method.

[0026] FIG. 12 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating the nail treatment method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating a conventional nail treatment method (conventional art).

[0028] FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating a finished gel nail by the conventional nail treatment method.

[0029] FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating a state in which the nail has grown (in the conventional art) from the state illustrated in FIG. 14.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the nail treatment method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, a description will be given on a case in which the nail treatment method according to the embodiments is applied to the fingernails or toenails. Note that each explanatory cross-sectional view in FIGS. 6(c), 9(c), 11 and 12 schematically illustrates only a layered structure of the gel nail part applied onto a nail plate 3.

(Preparation Step)

[0031] For applying the gel nail to the nail, first, the nail and skin around the nail are cared for. Also, the nail is filed and sanded to adjust its length and shape (preparation step).

[0032] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are explanatory views illustrating the preparation step. Sometimes the gel nail is applied onto a nail 1 itself of a person to be treated. However, when it is preferable, for example, that the nail 1 has more length, an ideal shape of the nail may be created using a nail tip 2 made of plastic. In this case, an adhesive 21 is applied onto an end part of the reverse surface of the nail tip 2 so that the end part is adhered to the tip of the nail (nail plate) 1.

[0033] At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the nail tip 2 is adhered to the nail 1 so that both side edges of the nail tip 2 in the width direction extend on the respective extended lines of side lines (i.e. left and right edges) of the nail 1. After the nail tip 2 is adhered, the tip end of the nail tip 2 is cut off so as to have a desirable length of the nail.

[0034] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the length and the shape of the nail is adjusted using a special file (so called file or emery board). Both side edges of the nail tip 2 in the width direction are adjusted so as to extend on the respective extended lines of the left and right side lines of the nail 1. The surface of the nail is smoothed using a sponge file and the like.

[0035] Thus, the nail plate 3 is formed by unifying the nail 1 with the nail tip 2. The side lines of the nail plate 3 are formed so as to extend on the respective extended lines of the side lines of the nail 1 of the treated person.

[0036] In the description below, the nail 1 means a nail plate of the fingernails or toenails of the treated person, while the nail plate 3 means a treatment object part, that is, the nail plate itself, the nail tip 2 when the treatment is performed using the nail tip 2, or both the nail plate and the nail tip 2 unified with the nail plate.

(Base Step)

[0037] Next, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), a base gel 4 is applied onto the nail plate 3. The base gel 4 is a gel nail agent containing photocurable resin, which is also called a clear gel. The base gel 4 is applied onto the nail plate 3 and cured so that a base layer 40 is formed (base step).

[0038] In the base step, application and curing of the base gel 4 are performed several times. As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the base gel 4 is applied for a first time, the base gel 4 is applied onto a region from a position one-half of the length of the nail plate 3 to a tip (free edge) 32 of the nail.

[0039] Here, the length of the nail plate 3 means a length from the base 31 of the nail plate 3, i.e. the tip of the loose cuticle (cuticle line), to the tip 32 of the nail (i.e. tip of the unified nail tip 2).

[0040] In such an application work, the tip of a gel brush is dipped in the base gel 4, and the application is started at the center of the nail plate 3 in the width direction. Sequentially, the base gel 4 is applied onto the left side and then the right side. After that, the base gel 4 and the nail plate 3 are irradiated, using a special light irradiation device, with light at a specific wavelength so as to cure the base gel 4.

[0041] In the second application of the base gel 4, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the base gel 4 is re-applied onto the previously cured base gel 4. At this time, the application range of the base gel 4 is extended toward the base 31 of the nail compared to the first application range, however, the base gel 4 is applied so as to be still spaced apart from the base 31 of the nail. Also, the base gel 4 on the brush is three-dimensionally applied on the previously applied base gel 4 so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward the tip 32 of the nail in plan view. On the side of the base 31 of the nail plate 3, the nail plate 3 (nail 1) is exposed. In this state, the base gel 4 is irradiated with light so as to be cured.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the application of the base gel 4 for the third time and thereafter is performed so that the base gel 4 is overlapped with the base gel 4 previously applied and cured, similarly to the second application. At this time also, the application range of the base gel 4 is extended toward the base 31 of the nail compared to the second application range, however, the base gel 4 is applied so as to be still spaced apart from the base 31 of the nail plate 3. After application of the base gel 4, the base gel 4 is irradiated with light so as to be cured.

[0043] After that, as shown in FIG. 5, the base gel 4 may be applied onto the reverse part of the tip of the nail plate 3 using a gel brush 7, from the palm side, so as to be cured. In this way, both the front and the rear faces of the end edge of the nail plate 3 are covered by the base gel 4.

[0044] By applying and curing the base gel 4 as described above, the base layer 40 can be formed on the nail plate 3, as shown in FIG. 6(a). Although it depends on the kind of used clear gel, usually the base layer 40 is formed on the nail plate 3 as a transparent or a semitransparent resin layer. As shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c), the base layer 40 is formed so as to be spaced apart from the base 31 of the nail plate 3 and also formed in a shape including a raised part that has a highest portion at a position that is closer to the base 31 of the nail than a position one-half of the length of the nail plate 3 is.

[0045] The number of application of the base gel 4 in the base step is not limited to three times. The application may be finished by two times or continued four times or more, provided that the base layer 40 having a raised part as shown in FIG. 6(c) is formed. Also, the application in which the base gel 4 is formed so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape is not limited to the second application. It may be performed for the third time or thereafter.

(Coloring Step)

[0046] Next, a gel nail agent such as a color gel 5 is applied onto the base layer 40 and is cured so as to form a color layer 50 (coloring step). In this step, the color layer 50, which has colors and constitutes the main part of the gel nail design, is formed. The color layer 50 is formed by at least two times of application and curing of the color gel 5.

[0047] In this application work, the tip of the gel brush is dipped in the color gel 5, and the application is started at the center of the nail plate 3 in the width direction. Sequentially, the color gel 5 is applied onto the left side and the right side.

[0048] For example, coloring is performed by applying the color gel 5 onto the base layer 40 so as to put a color on the base layer 40. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the color gel 5 may be gradually applied so that the color deepens toward the tip 32 of the nail plate 3. In addition to use of the single color gel 5, multiple kinds of color gels 5 may be used to paint/draw various patterns and designs, thereby creating nail arts.

[0049] The gel nail agent applied as the color layer 50 is not limited to the color gel 5. It may be a mixed gel made by mixing powder or small pieces such as glitters with a clear gel. Alternatively, both the color gel 5 and the mixed gel may be used. Also, the nail arts may be done by not only using the color gel 5 and the like, but also adhering various nail decorations to the applied color gel 5 and the like.

[0050] After the gel nail agent has been applied, it is irradiated with light so that the applied gel nail agent is cured on the base layer 40 and the nail plate 3. Note that the color layer 50 does not necessarily have a color.

(Top Step)

[0051] Next, a top gel 6 is applied onto the color layer 50 and is cured so as to form a top coat layer 60 (top step). In this step, the application and curing of the top gel 6 is performed several times.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the top gel 6 is applied so as to cover the color layer 50. A clear gel similar to the base gel 4 may be used as the top gel 6. When the top gel 6 is applied for the first time, it is applied so as to be spaced apart from the base 31 of the nail plate 3 and also to cover the color layer 50 from its end portion on the side of the base of the nail to its end portion on the side of the tip of the nail. After that, the nail plate 3 is irradiated with light, thus the top gel 6 is cured.

[0053] The top gel 6 is applied and cured further two times or more, and finally, the top coat layer 60 is formed by covering the nail plate 3 by the top gel 6 from the base 31 to the tip 32 of the nail plate 3 as shown in FIG. 8(b). Also, in the second application or thereafter, the top gel 6 is preferably applied so as to have a teardrop or a drop shape tapered toward the tip 32 of the nail in plan view.

[0054] In this way, as shown in FIG. 9(a), a raised part 60a of the top coat layer 60 is formed so as to be located at a position one-fourth to one-half of the length of the nail plate 3 from the base 31 of the nail. More preferably, the raised part 60a of the top coat layer 60 is formed so as to be located at a position three-eighth of the length of the nail plate 3 from the base 31 of the nail. The region from the raised part 60a of the top coat layer 60 to the base 31 of the nail has a smoothly curved surface. Also, as shown in FIG. 9(b), when the nail plate 3 is viewed from the tip 32 of the nail (tip of the finger), the raised part 60a is formed on the center of the nail plate 3 in the width direction.

[0055] Forming the top coat layer 60 as described above serves not only to protect the color layer 50 but also to gloss the surface of the nail. Especially, forming the top coat layer 60 so as to have a shape as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) gives an excellent luster while obtaining a three-dimensional as well as natural shape of the nail.

[0056] When various nail decorations are used to create the nail art, it is possible to fix such nail decorations on the nail plate 3 by covering them by the top gel 6.

[0057] Note that, when the nail decorations are used, the highest portion of the top coat layer 60 is sometimes, actually, the nail decoration covered by the top gel 6. The raised part 60a described in this embodiment does not contain such increase in height caused by using the nail decorations and the like.

(Finishing Step)

[0058] After the top coat layer 60 is formed, a file, an emery board or a nail cutting machine (simply called machine) is put on the tip 32 and the sides of the nail plate 3 so as to finish the shape. Also, the surface of the top coat layer 60 is wiped off with nail wipe cloth impregnated with a removing liquid, thus uncured resin is removed (finishing step).

[0059] As shown in FIG. 9(c), the gel nail is finished by laminating the base layer 40, the color layer 50, and the top coat layer 60 on the nail plate 3 in this order. The base layer 40 including a raised part, which is the base of the color layer 50 that is a main part of the nail design, is formed so as to be spaced apart from the base 31 of the nail plate 3, and in a shape having the raised part at a position that is slightly closer to the base 31 of the nail than the position one-half of the length of the nail plate 3 is. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(c), the color layer 50 and the top coat layer 60 can be formed in a shape of a smoothly and naturally curved sueface from the raised part 60a to the base 31 of the nail plate 3.

[0060] In this way, by forming the gel nail in the shape of a smoothly and naturally curved surface from the raised part to the base 31 of the nail plate 3, the appearance of the nail can be relatively held in a natural shape even when the nail 1 has grown a few weeks after the treatment, as shown in FIG. 10. Especially, the raised part 60a of the top coat layer 60 is formed substantially at a three-eighth position of the length of the nail plate 3 from the base 31 of the nail, which means that the gel nail is finished so as to have the most raised part at a position that is slightly closer to the base 31 of the nail than the position one-half of the length of the nail plate 3 is. For example, four weeks after this state, the raised part 60a will have moved substantially to the center of the nail plate 3 in the length direction, and the beautiful and natural shape of the nail can be maintained even when the nail 1 has grown.

[0061] Normally, the nail 1 is supported by a belt-like tissue called yellow line so that the nail 1 is fixed onto the nail bed. The yellow line makes contact with the side lines (left and right edges) of the nail 1 at two points (so-called stress points) that are likely to be subjected to load. Thus, the problem such as breaking or chipping of the nail is frequently generated from these points.

[0062] In contrast, in the nail treatment method according to the above-described embodiment, the nail plate 3 is adjusted so that both side edges of the nail tip 2 in the width direction are extended on the respective extended lines of the left and right side lines of the nail 1. Also, since the base gel 4 is applied several times, the formed base layer 40 has a thickness greater than the conventional layer. In this way, the strength of the nail 1 and the nail plate 3 is considerably improved. Furthermore, the top coat layer 60 is formed so as to have the raised part 60a located at a position one-fourth to one-half of the length of the nail plate 3 from the base 31 of the nail, and to have a thickness greater than the conventional layer. With the above configuration, the gel nails can be prevented from breaking or chipping even when the stress points are subjected to load due to housework or work, accordingly, a good condition of the gel nails can be maintained for a long time.

(Repairing Step)

[0063] When a treated person wants to change the nail design or the nail 1 has grown as time passes, the gel nails can be removed so that new gel nails are applied. When the new gel nail is applied, in this embodiment, a part of the previously formed base layer 40 (for example, the part lower than the dashed-double dotted line indicated in FIG. 11) is maintained on the nail plate 3. Also, the previously formed color layer 50 and the top coat layer 60 on the color layer 50, which are located upper than the dashed-double dotted line, are removed. Since the top coat layer 60 is a clear gel similar to the base layer 40, the top coat layer 60 on the side of the base 31 of the nail may also be maintained on the nail plate 3.

[0064] These layers are removed using an emery board or a nail cutting machine (simply called machine). When removing the color layer 50, part of the base layer 40 may also be scraped away together with the color layer 50.

[0065] As described above, since the base layer 40 is formed so as to have a thickness in the raised shape, the nail cutting machine does not make contact with the nail 1. Thus, there is almost no risk of scraping the nail 1. Furthermore, since the remover or the like containing acetone in high concentration is not used, it is possible to prevent the nail 1 and the skin around the nail from being damaged.

[0066] After the color layer 50 is removed, a thin coat of the base layer 40 and the top coat layer 60, which were previously formed, remain on the nail plate 3. Onto this nail plate 3, the preparation step, the base step, the coloring step and the top step are performed (repairing step). Thus, a new base layer, a new color layer and a new top coat layer can be formed.

[0067] Since the new base layer 40 is formed on the remaining coat of the previous base layer 40 of the nail plate 3, the gel nail formed in the repairing step has an increased strength compared to the previous formed gel nail.

[0068] With the method as described above, it is possible to form the gel nail having an increased strength on the nail plate 3 without placing any burden (such as thinning) on the nail 1 of the treated person. Thus, it is possible to avoid disadvantages when the gel nail treatment is repeatedly performed. Rather than that, it is possible to strengthen the nail 1 by repeatedly performing the nail treatment method according to this embodiment, which results in a healthy and beautiful state of the nail being maintained. Furthermore, the gel nails applied as described above can maintain the beautiful gloss and color for a long time, which serves to remarkably improve a sense of satisfaction of the treated person when she/he looks her/his beautiful nails.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the gradation nail design was exemplarily described. However, the nail design coloring the entire nail plate 3 may also be adopted. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable to thinly apply and cure a base gel 4a on the end of the base 31 of the base layer 40 at the beginning of the coloring step. By forming the base gel 4a like this, the resin layer similar to the base layer 40 is extended in the vicinity of the base 31 of the nail plate 3, and the color layer 50 is formed on such formed base gel 4a and the base layer 40. With this treatment method also, the raised part 60a of the top coat layer 60 can be formed so as to be located at a position one-fourth to one-half of the length of the nail plate 3 from the base 31 of the nail. Thus, the gel nail whose gloss is further improved can be formed, which has still a beautiful and natural shape of nail.

[0070] The nail treatment method of the present invention in not limited to apply the above steps on the nail 1 itself of the treated person or the nail plate 3. The above steps may be applied to nail tips made of plastic so as to form fake nails, and such fake nails can be adhered to the nails 1. In the gel nail, there are two kinds of gel nail agents having respectively different hardness, i.e. a hard gel and a soft gel. In the method of the present invention, any gel nail agent can be used, provided that such a gel nail agent contains photocurable resin. The method of the present invention can be applied, of course, not only to the fingernails 1, but also to the toenails.

[0071] The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the gist or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

[0072] This application claims priority based on Patent Application No. 2016-004306 filed in Japan on Jan. 13, 2016. The entire contents thereof are hereby incorporated in this application by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0073] The present invention can be suitably used as a gel nail treatment method for decorating nails.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0074] 1 Nail [0075] 2 Nail tip [0076] 3 Nail plate [0077] 31 Base of nail [0078] 32 Tip of nail [0079] 4 Base gel [0080] 40 Base layer [0081] 5 Color gel [0082] 50 Color layer [0083] 6 Top gel [0084] 60 Top coat layer [0085] 7 Gel brush