Dermatologic clinics
-
Nail polish is a nitrocellulose-based film that is modified to create a plastic shiny colored film that can be painted on the nail plate. The desire to develop a long-lasting pigmented film has resulted in the development of nail shellacs based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) designed to polymerize on the nail plate. These films are chip resistant and long wearing, designed to last 3 to 4 weeks. Further polymer use has resulted in the ability to sculpt an elongated nail on the nail plate to create the appearance of long nails.