What is a chemical that triggers curing in nail products when exposed to UV or LED light?

The chemical that triggers curing in nail products when exposed to UV or LED light is a photoinitiator. In the context of nail products, photoinitiators are essential components in gels and similar formulations because they absorb light energy and convert it into chemical energy. This process initiates a series of reactions that lead to the hardening or curing of the product, resulting in a durable finish.

Without photoinitiators, UV and LED gel products would remain in a liquid state and not provide the long-lasting results that are expected from these types of nails. They are specifically designed to work with the wavelengths emitted by UV or LED lights, making them crucial for achieving the desired structure and permanence in gel applications.

Other terms in the context, such as monomers and polymers, refer to the components and structure of the nail products themselves rather than the specific chemical that initiates the curing process. Monomers are the individual building blocks that combine to form polymers, which make up the cured product, but neither is responsible for the light-triggered curing reaction. An activator typically refers to a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction but is not the specific agent that triggers the curing under light exposure in this scenario.