U.S. patent application number 16/068922 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-13 for nail treatment method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Miho AZUMA. Invention is credited to Miho AZUMA.
Application Number | 20180352933 16/068922 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57358788 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180352933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AZUMA; Miho |
December 13, 2018 |
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.
Inventors: |
AZUMA; Miho; (Osaka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AZUMA; Miho |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
57358788 |
Appl. No.: |
16/068922 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
January 5, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2017/000143 |
371 Date: |
July 10, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 31/00 20130101;
A45D 2200/205 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 31/00 20060101
A45D031/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 13, 2016 |
JP |
2016-004306 |
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
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a nail treatment method,
and in particular to a nail treatment method using a gel nail
agent.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As a method for beautify fingernails and toenails, gel nails
using nail agents including photocurable resin are widely known, in
addition to nail agents for manicure (also referred to as nail
polish, lacquer enamel, and the like). Generally, the gel nail here
means: a method including the steps of applying a gel type nail
agent onto the nail, curing the nail agent by light irradiation,
and thus unifying the nail agent with the nail; the kinds of the
above nail agents; and also a cured nail agent itself. The gel
nails thus treated are hard and scratch-resistant compared to
lacquer enamel for manicure. Thus, gloss and color development of
the gel nails last for a long time (several weeks), which also
serves as a protector of the nails. Also, since such beautiful
nails give a sense of contentment, the gel nails have become very
popular.
[0003] As exemplarily shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in the
conventional gel nail treatment method, the surface and the tip of
the nail are suitably shaped/prepared, and then each gel nail agent
is repeatedly applied and cured in the order of a base gel, a color
gel and a top gel. In this treatment as shown in FIG. 13, first,
the center of a nail 101 in the width direction is brushed with the
gel nail agent, and then the left side and the right side are
respectively brushed, by a brush 102, along the longitudinal
direction of the nail 101, so that the gel nail agent is applied
over the entire nail finely and evenly.
[0004] When removing the gel nail from the nail 101, a cotton wool,
which is impregnated with a remover, is placed on the gel nail, and
the nail in this state is covered with an aluminum foil for
preventing the remover from evaporating, and is left as is for
several minutes. After that, when the gel nail has softened, the
gel nail is removed from the surface of the nail 101 by exfoliating
it using a nail stick and the like or scraping it away using a
cutting tool.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-244141 A
[0006] [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-189668 A
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem to Be Solved by the Invention
[0007] As described above, when treating gel nails, the brush 102
dipped in the nail agent is moved from the base to the tip of the
nail 101 so as to apply the nail agent onto the entire nail 101.
Accordingly, the nail agent is likely to accumulate on the base
side of the nail 101. As shown in FIG. 14, thus finished gel nail
104 has a shape in which the base 103 of the nail is raised when
viewed from the side, which is likely to give an unnatural
impression. Also, such a finished gel nail 104 makes a distinct
step between the gel nail 104 and the nail 105 that has grown and
is being exposed on the base side of the nail, when the nail grows
as shown in FIG. 15. That does not look good, because the gel nail
104 looks like standing out, and moreover the overall appearance is
irregular.
[0008] The tip of the nail is often chipped or broken within two or
three weeks after the treatment. When the nail has been broken or
has grown, the gel nail 104 is removed so that the nail is treated
to have a new gel nail. As described above, the gel nail cannot be
easily removed. It takes time to remove the gel nail, and the nail
105 of a treated person is also shaved off together with the gel
nail 104. Furthermore, it is necessary to roughly sand the surface
of the nail 105 so as to fix the new nail agent. As a result, if
the gel nail treatment is repeatedly performed, the nails become
thin, thereby it is difficult to prevent the nails from chipping or
breaking. In addition, the remover contains acetone in high
concentration. Since the remover is repeatedly used to remove the
gel nail if it cannot be removed at a time, the nail and the skin
around the nail are likely to be damaged.
[0009] The present invention was made in consideration of the above
problems, an object of which is to provide a nail treatment method
with which: the good condition of the gel nails can be maintained
for a long time; thinning or damage of the nails can be prevented
even when the gel nail treatment is repeatedly performed; and the
beautifully finished gel nails have, at the same time, a
strength.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0010] In order to achieve the above-described object, the means
for solving the problem of the present invention is a nail
treatment method using a gel nail agent containing photocurable
resin. The nail treatment method includes: 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 on 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. The nail plate means 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. 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.
Thus, the base layer is formed so as to be spaced apart from the
base of the nail plate, and further it 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 a length of the nail plate is.
[0011] With the above configuration, the base layer including the
raised part serves as the base coat, and the color layer, which
constitutes a main part of the gel nail design, is formed on the
nail plate as the treatment object part. Since the base layer is
spaced apart from the base of the nail plate, the color layer and
the top coat layer applied on the base layer can be formed in a
shape of a smoothly and naturally curved surface extending to the
base of the nail plate. Also, since the base gel is applied several
times, the formed base layer has a thickness greater than the
conventional layer. In this way, the strength of the gel nail is
improved, which reduces troubles such as breaking. Thus, a good
condition of the gel nail can be maintained for a long time.
[0012] Also, in the above-described nail treatment method, when
removing the formed gel nail, it is preferable that the top coat
layer and the color layer that were previously formed are removed
while maintaining the previously formed base layer on the nail
plate, and that the base step, the coloring step and the top step
are performed on the maintained base layer and the nail plate so as
to form a new base layer, a new color layer and a new top coat
layer.
[0013] In this way, the time needed to remove the gel nail is
reduced. Thus, even when the gel nail treatment is repeatedly
performed, it is possible to avoid thinning of the nail by being
scraped away together with the previously formed gel nail or by
being sanded, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent the nail
and the skin around the nail from being damaged.
Effects of the Invention
[0014] With the nail treatment method of the present invention, a
beautiful appearance and a good condition of the gel nails can be
maintained for a long time, which gives greater satisfaction to a
treated person. Also, such gel nails are finished to have a
strength, while repeated treatments hardly damage the nails. As a
result, it is possible to continuously enjoy the gel nails.
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
* * * * *