Contents
*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Gel lamps provide fast polymerization (hardening) of varnish when creating a manicure. But not all of them have excellent quality or versatility. Some models are designed only for a certain type of varnish, the latter increase the risk of hand burns, and still others quickly fail. Therefore, when buying, it is important to take into account the manufacturer, type of product, service life, power, size and other factors – which ones, we will tell in our article.
The best manufacturers of gel lamps for drying varnish
Most online marketplaces and retail stores are flooded with “No name” lamps made in China. However, experts do not recommend buying such products. Despite the obvious plus – the “sweet” price – these devices are not designed for intensive use, they quickly break down and dry the coating for a long time. Therefore, we recommend buying gel lamps from well-known brands.
The best manufacturers of products for drying varnish are:
Uspicy;
gelish;
CND;
OPI;
MelodySusie;
Sun;
Beurer;
TNL Professional.
What lamps for drying gel polish are
UV lamps
UV or UV devices are used by novice craftsmen, home workers. They are convenient, lightweight, affordable and suitable for drying various types of varnish (“LED”, “UV”, biogel, etc.).
UV lamps operate in a wide light spectrum, so the polymerization of the coating takes longer (about 2-5 minutes) than when exposed to other models. On average, one layer is cured in 90 seconds.
The fluorescent bulbs that the device is equipped with must be replaced every two to three months, otherwise the varnish will not dry well.
Advantages
Budget price;
Suitable for all types of gel polish, gel.
Disadvantages
Light bulbs need to be replaced regularly;
You can burn yourself – the product is very hot;
Ultraviolet radiation negatively affects vision;
Slow curing coating;
Limited service life (7 thousand hours);
The service life of the product depends on the number of on / off (the more often you use it, the faster it fails);
UV rays adversely affect the condition of the skin of the hands, nails;
Fluorescent light bulbs must not be disposed of with household waste (they contain mercury). They must be disposed of in special containers or handed over to special waste collection points.
LED lamps
These devices are equipped with LEDs. They work in a narrow light spectrum, which allows the coating to dry in about 2 minutes (30-40 seconds per coat). The life of the lamps does not depend on the number of inclusions or the operation of the timer. LED devices are only suitable for products marked with LED.
Advantages
Long service life – 50000-100000 hours;
Practically do not heat up – they cannot cause a burn;
Consume less electricity compared to UV devices;
Coating dries quickly.
Disadvantages
High price compared to UV models;
Not suitable for curing UV varnish, hard gels.
Cold cathode lamps
CCFL products (cold cathode lamps) operate in a wide spectrum of light. They can initiate the polymerization of hard gels and most types of gel polish. The curing of the coating is faster than with a UV device, but slower than with an LED lamp. On average, it takes 30-50 seconds to dry one layer. The service life of gel lamps is 30-50 thousand hours.
Advantages
Long service life;
No need to replace light bulbs;
Designed for regular use (no matter how many times the device is turned on / off);
Do not affect vision;
Practically do not heat up – during the drying of the varnish it is impossible to get burned;
Dispose of with household waste.
Disadvantages
High price;
Not suitable for LED curing gels.
hybrid lamps
Such models are suitable for drying any type of coatings, including solid gel for nail extension. They absorbed the properties of other types of lamps. Mostly craftsmen use LED + CCFL models – they provide fast hardening of the varnish (30-60 seconds). Their service life is 10-80 thousand hours.
Advantages
Suitable for drying all types of coatings;
Do not pose a risk to health, the environment;
Easy to dispose;
Differ in the long term of operation;
Do not heat up.
Disadvantages
The cost of hybrid products is higher than that of UV and LED lamps.
What to look for when choosing a gel lamp
Power
The curing time of the coating is related to the power of the gel lamp. The higher the power, the more efficiently the composition of the varnish polymerizes. Gel lamps with a power of 12-20 watts are well suited for home use, but in professional salons it is better to use products with 36-54 watts. Models with higher power, as a rule, have timers (up to 4 minutes), so that the lights turn off and the polymerization ends automatically.
Size and ease of use
Gel lamps can have different sizes. Overall, heavy models are suitable for professional salons – they are designed for simultaneous drying of the coating on both hands or feet. To create a manicure at home, it is better to choose compact gel lamps that polymerize the gel on one hand at a time. Such products are easy to transport, move, they take up little space. For home use, you can buy devices that cure the coating on one nail at a time.
How to choose a gel lamp – practical advice
UV lamps should be bought by beginners. Professionals should better turn their attention to more expensive and functional LED models or hybrid products.
Some gel lamps have a negative effect on vision. When working with them, you should use special protective glasses.
For regular, professional use, it is better to choose a gel lamp from trusted manufacturers.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.