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While I love a gel mani, I don’t love the expense that comes with it. That’s where the best UV lamp for gel nails will come in handy. It’ll still give you that chip-resistant and salon-glossy finish for much longer than a regular mani (at least two weeks). This is all thanks to the UV light that cures the polish and seals it on your nails. We polled nail artists on their favorite UV lamps, and then tested a handful (pun intended), evaluating them on functionality, value, and ease of use. Consider this your ultimate UV gel curing guide, whether you’re a beginner DIY’er or an aspiring nail tech. Uv Glue Curing Systems
How exactly does curing work?
When we shine the UV light on our gel nail polish, it triggers a chemical reaction that causes the molecules in the polish connect to form a hard plastic structure, creating a durable, glossy finish that can last for weeks without breaking or chipping, Kandalec explains.
This result is ideal if you’re someone who works with their hands a lot or dishwashes a ton. As a general rule of thumb: Nail artists recommend using UV gel lamps that are designed to work with the polish you’re using, so you’ll want to start your gel mani routine by picking out a polish brand and its counterpart lamp. Depending on nail polish type and instructions, curing gel polish can take up to 60 seconds for a full cure, 30 seconds for a half-cure, and anywhere from 3 to 5 seconds for a touch-up cure.
What wattage is best for UV nail lamps?
As mentioned, it’s not so much about the wattage when shopping for the best UV nail lamps; it’s more important that it matches the specific nail polish product you’ll be using. “Each lamp is designed to work with certain products, so there isn’t a universal wattage that fits all,” says Julie Kandalec, an NYC-based celebrity nail artist. If the wattage is too low, you risk undercuring the gel; if it’s too high, it might not cure properly either, she says. As always, be sure to read the instruction manual of all UV nail lamps before use.
What’s the difference between UV and LED lamps?
“This is something a lot of people might not realize: An LED lamp still emits ultraviolet) rays,” says Kandalec. The difference between UV and LED is the bulb used. LED lamps generally cure gel faster than traditional UV bulbs, but they still work by emitting UV rays. “While the physical components differ, both LED and UV lamps serve the same purpose, but LED is a bit faster,” she says.
Are UV nail lamps safe?
The truth is, we don’t fully know whether UV nail lamps are safe for the skin, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “Although we know UV exposure can increase the risk of premature aging and skin cancer, based on the limited duration during a manicure, the exact risk associated with UV nail lamps is unknown,” she says. She says that while occasional use is likely safe for most people, repeated exposure over time may have cumulative effects. Pro tip: Dr. Garshick recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, such as the Supergoop! Hand Screen, to your hands before using your UV gel lamp for precaution. “Additionally, wearing UV-blocking gloves with the fingertips cut out, like ManiGlovz, is another effective option,” she says.
Julie Kandalec, an NYC-based celebrity nail artist, prefers to use this lamp by OPI when she’s using OPI polish. “I love that you can switch back and forth easily between using the sensor or turning the light on manually with a touch of a single button,” she says. This lamp is ergonomically designed to make it easy and comfortable for your hand to slip in, and can be used on fingers or toes. It has 5-, 30-, 60-, and 90-second buttons to customize your cure, is suitable for sculpting builder gels, and is acetone resistant (meaning if you spill nail polish on it, you can clean it right off with acetone, without worrying about taking the paint off or dissolving the plastic). The best part is that it’s professional-grade at under $200 (a lamp you’d find in a salon can run from $250 to $300) and easy to use, and it pairs with affordable OPI gel polishes that you can pick up at your local drugstore or on Amazon. All that makes it the best overall in our book.
Kandalec also recommends this easy-to-use LED lamp that has multiple timer settings, from 3 seconds (for touch-ups) to 25 (for half-curing) to 60 (for a full cure). This one prevents the polish from curing too fast, has a removable power cord, and works well with all CND nail polishes. Bonus: It’s roomy and wide enough to use for a gel pedicure too. A Glamour reviewer calls this a fantastic lamp because the polish stayed on for six days after using it without any lifting or chips. They do wish the instructions for each step were a little clearer in terms of tellin how long to cure the base coat, color, and top coat.
Part of the hassle of a UV nail light is that most have to be plugged in, which is why a rechargeable pick like this is a major win. Gerstein loves using this one while traveling, since cordless lamps make it super convenient to cure nails wherever needed. Something to note: “When you’re using cordless lights, make sure they’re at 100% charge. As the charges decrease, the lamp won’t work the same,” she says. One Glamour tester said there’s lots of room in the interior of this one, and it automatically goes on when you put your hand in.
“This is the nail-curing lamp I use the most because it’s cordless and rechargeable, and it pairs with Gelish polish,” says Kandalec, who likes to bring it to house calls. With professional-grade wattage and an acetone-resistant surface, this lamp is a splurge at $230, but well worth it, according to reviewers. One Glamour tester said she’s used hers for four years regularly and it’s remained in good condition.
A mini LED nail light is ideal for traveling, and this tiny pick is a great option if you’re on the go. The LED lights have two timer options: a 45-second curing time, and a 60-second curing time. This nail lamp is perfect for curing Dashing Diva nail strips but can also be used for other gel products. Glamour reviewer Rosa Lilian says it’s the perfect mini lamp for curing a clear coat on top of your natural nail.
This mini lamp is probably the cutest of the bunch. I personally love how compact it is, how easy it is to use, and how quickly the polish cures—I didn’t spend more than a minute drying each nail. What I will say, though, is that the setup is a little flimsy, and the wire is a little short, so be sure to use it near an outlet, and expect to have to hold onto it as you cure each hand to prevent movement.
Another great buy for a beginner, this kit has everything you need to get started on a gel manicure, including a mini lamp. After testing this starter kit myself, I can say that it was extremely user-friendly and took me less than 15 minutes to use on both hands. It is a bit tiny, but that didn’t get in my way while using it, and I also liked the step-by-step polishes included (a base coat, gel color, and top coat). The only critique I have with this one is that the polish is very thick and contains tiny bubbles if you apply too much; I’d stick with thinner coats. Despite this, I can still definitely see myself using the kit again if I need a manicure and don’t have time to hit the salon.
Kandalec loves this one-finger curing lamp if you’re looking to apply soft gel tips, press-on nails, or nail wraps. “It’s motion-activated as the LED bulbs get brighter gradually, is ergonomic, and only $15—a very good price point for at-home DIY users,” she says. Simply apply the gel adhesive, then the nail tip, and flash cure it for 5 to 7 seconds, and then again for 1 to 2 minutes.
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