Lamps for manicure, pedicure: types, features, popular brands

The correct lamp can make all the difference in getting a perfect manicure or pedicure. These lamps are necessary pieces of equipment for maintaining healthy nails because they rapidly and efficiently cure and dry gel polishes. The number of styles and features available makes selecting the ideal lamp seem overwhelming.

This post will walk you through the various kinds of lamps—from UV to LED—that are used for manicures and pedicures. We’ll go over their special qualities, benefits, and application in your nail care routine. We’ll also highlight some of the well-known brands that are unique in the industry to assist you in making an informed decision regarding your nail care requirements.

Whether you work as a professional nail technician or just like doing your own nails at home, knowing these lamps will help you achieve the best possible results every time you apply them. Discover which manicure and pedicure lamp is best for you by exploring the world of these devices.

Types of lamps for manicure and their purpose

Manicure and pedicure lamps vary in the following ways:

  • by type of glow: LED, CCFL, UV and hybrid
  • by radiation power: 9, 36, 24, 48, 50, 54, 66 W
  • by timer: 5, 30, 60.90, 180 seconds
  • by mode switch – UV, LED, combined
  • by autostart sensor
  • by size and dimensions
  • by shapes
  • by colors
  • by open or closed back wall
  • by removable magnetic or retractable bottom

Let us examine each of the attributes in greater detail. Knowing the features will help you select the best model for your needs, whether at home or at work. You’ll also be able to decide what materials to use and how to polymerize or dry the material. Every drying material is made of polymers that solidify when exposed to LED or UV light. For this reason, the drying process is known as polymerization. Occasionally, you may encounter the phrase "baking." It speaks of gels and gel paints.

UV lamp for manicure

The first UV nail drying lamps were released onto the market for the nail industry. These were initially tiny devices that lasted two to three minutes to dry gel polishes and gels with a single 9 W bulb. These are uncommon and no longer meet current power requirements. Neither professional nor novice users at home should use them.

The second generation – UV devices with a power of 36 W. These are most often rectangular, fairly voluminous devices with a retractable mirror bottom for 4 9 W bulbs. They polymerize all known types of coatings marked UV – gel polishes, gels, acrylics, gel paints. Inexpensive models are equipped with an on / off button and a timer for 2 minutes and infinity. Newer versions may also have a timer for 30 seconds, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes. The time is set depending on the coating, the thicker it is in consistency, the more time is needed for polymerization. Regular gel polishes dry for 2 minutes. The same mode is required for drying casting.

Applying patterns to nails that give the appearance of aged metal, such as in baguette frames, is known as casting. Gel is used to create the design, which is then covered in foil on the colored side, pressed, and UV-polymerized for two minutes. After that, the foil is taken off, and a top is used to seal the effect.

It is advised to replace the UV device’s bulbs every six months while maintaining a steady clientele of three to five individuals each day. The replacement interval for home use can be anywhere from 12 to 18 months. When there is a high client flow, the device itself can last up to four years.

Lamps in salons are changed every four to six months even though they can still shine. This is because the power needed for the casting technique, which requires two minutes and thirty-six watts, or for the polymerization of thick gels, is not sufficient.

Liquid-textured transparent bases and tops dry in one minute, gel polishes and paints in two, and colored and camouflage gels, particularly when applied thickly, in three to five minutes. LED-marked materials don’t dry out under UV light.

UV devices have fluorescent bulbs installed, which, in accordance with SanPiN 2.1.2.2631-10 standards for beauty salons, require specific disposal conditions with industrial waste rather than household waste.

Two varieties of UV lamps exist:

  • Electronic. Lightweight – about 1 kg, require a stable voltage in the network.
  • Induction. For professional use. Weight about 2 kg. Easily withstand voltage drops in the network. More reliable, but more expensive.

It’s critical to comprehend the various varieties, their unique features, and the top brands on the market when selecting the ideal lamp for your manicure and pedicure. The most popular types of lamps are UV and LED ones, each of which has special advantages based on the kind of gel polish being used and the required curing time. Well-known companies with a strong track record of dependability and efficacy include CND, OPI, and Gelish. You can use this guide to sort through these choices and select the ideal lamp for your nail care requirements.

LED lamp for drying manicure

What distinguishes UV models from LED lamps?

One major benefit of LED lamps over UV lamps is that, thanks to their higher power and radiation intensity, they polymerize coatings more quickly. As an illustration, an LED device will dry one layer of gel polish in 30 seconds compared to a UV device’s two minutes.

Under LED lights, some gel polish models dry in just five seconds. LED lamps are great for beginners to use at home and will save the master time when working in the salon or at home.

One could refer to LED devices as the newest generation of nail polish drying equipment. They work well with shellac, gel paints, bases, tops, strengthening biogel, strengthening gel polishes, and ibx nail strengthening systems, among other multi-phase gel types.

There are timers built into LED devices that last for 5, 30, 60, and 90 seconds. Beginners frequently enquire as to whether LED light bulbs can be changed and, in the event that they cannot, what kind of lifespan the device will have. Diode bulbs or strips can be changed in contemporary LED device models, such as the Sun line; a single strip costs roughly 100 rubles. The original diodes have a maximum lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours, after which the material’s polymerization quality and glow intensity diminish. Over 5.5 years of continuous operation equates to 50,000 hours. Amazing!

When drying, LED models frequently give the nail plate area a burning feeling. The intensity of the glow and the rate of polymerization are to blame for this. The material can tighten the nail plate and cause a burning sensation because it hardens quickly. Only clients with delicate or thinned nail plates following extensions experience this infrequently.

By switching out the LED device for an ultraviolet one, the issue is resolved. Professional masters are advised to own a hybrid model with a mode switching option or both types of lamps in this regard.

Additionally, you can prolong the time it takes for the material to polymerize and simultaneously get rid of the burning sensation in LED lamps that have the option to switch from 48 to 24 W of power. If you have delicate nail plates and have experienced uncomfortable sensations when drying under LED lamps in the past, it is crucial that you inform the master. Occasionally, it is sufficient to remove your hand from the nail polish for a brief period of time while it is drying to allow the nails to cool.

A fan is included in some lamp models; this helps to cool the polymerization zone and get rid of the burning feeling.

There are fewer and fewer models that are solely LED; hybrid lamps are gradually replacing LED ones. The majority of models available are LED + ultraviolet (UV or CCFL).

CCFL lamp for manicure

UV lamp analogue fitted with fluorescent lights that have a cold cathode. With this type, you can prevent burning with delicate nail plates because the material is not heated while it dries. It polymerizes every kind of substance. The 12–18 W power of these CCFL lamps is equivalent to 36–48 W of a UV lamp.

With a dense client flow, you can extend the time between regular replacements to a year or longer thanks to the twice as long-lasting bulbs in CCFL models. They are, in our opinion, more cost-effective than UV.

Hybrid lamp for manicure

Blends two different glow types and works with any kind of coating that is labeled LED and UV or LED and CCFL. An arsenal such as this ought to belong to a modern master. The option to use the modes independently is something to consider. Certain low-cost models come with two glow options, and they cannot be changed to the desired coating type. As a result, the bulbs burn out more quickly and have a shorter service life.

The most cutting-edge option available for professionals is hybrid lighting. These gadgets are the newest generation, and they stand out for their robustness and functionality.

Lamp shapes

Professionals who intend to work with clients and provide both manicures and pedicures should consider this criterion.

Small and medium-sized models work well at home and as an on-site option. Bigger, bulkier models work well for simultaneous hand and pedicure drying. Professionals who perform pedicures should also be aware of semicircular open models that are either removable or without a bottom. Applying the coating, covering the nails with the lamp, and waiting a while is sufficient. You can remove the bottom or fasten it with magnetic clips.

The best models to use for working at a table and doing manicures are closed models shaped like hemispheres or half helmets. Only the client’s side is visible through them; from the rear, jars containing gel, varnish, and brushes are not reflected. This is precisely the disadvantage of through-through semicircular devices when operating at a table.

It’s convenient to use models that have a screen with a second timer. Modern lamp models come equipped with an inbuilt motion sensor, so the master doesn’t have to constantly press the switch to turn on the light when they bring their hand or foot near the sensor area. When doing a pedicure, this is convenient and saves time.

Are lamps harmful for manicure

Even the strongest UV and LED lamps don’t have enough intensity to endanger people’s health or skin. The device’s effects are comparable to taking a 15-minute stroll in the summertime because of how intensely the rays affect skin.

Although it happens very infrequently, there are isolated cases of allergies to UV radiation, including from UV lamps.

Beauty Nail’s 36 W rectangular white UV lamps were among the first on the market. Now, the SUN line, which includes UV, LED, and hybrid models, is the most well-liked. Their ergonomic design, high power at a low cost, and availability of all the features required by experts set them apart.

American brands Harmony, OPI, and Gelish are examples of professional manicure lamp brands. They frequently only function well with materials from the same brand. Russian and Chinese-made devices that are compatible with all coatings have shown great performance. Irisk, RuNail, Polaris, and Sun, Diamond are a few of them. The latter, which was previously limited to orders from China, is now available for purchase in Russia and comes with warranty service.

It is important to consider whether a lamp will be used for home or work when selecting a model. On the basis of this, examine the technical attributes and consider the minimal specifications for the most popular coatings.

The selection of lamps for various purposes will be covered in the upcoming material. It makes sense to select a hybrid light now.

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Type Features Popular Brands
UV Lamp Uses UV light to cure gel polish; often has a longer drying time Sun, MelodySusie
LED Lamp Cures gel polish quickly; uses LED light which is less harsh on nails Beetles, Gelish
Hybrid Lamp Combines UV and LED light; versatile and fast curing Opi, CND

To get the best results from nail care, selecting the appropriate lamp for manicures and pedicures is crucial. When choosing from the many kinds of lamps that are available, such as hybrid, LED, and UV lamps, it’s crucial to take durability, ease of use, and curing time into account.

Well-known brands provide dependable solutions to suit a range of requirements and tastes. There’s a lamp that fits your needs, whether you value versatility or quick curing times. Investing in a high-quality lamp guarantees your nail treatments will be effective and satisfying.

Ultimately, choosing the appropriate lamp improves your overall nail care experience, increasing the efficiency and enjoyment of the procedure. For optimal results, take your time weighing your options and select a lamp that meets your unique requirements.

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Victoria Sokolova

Hello! I am Victoria, and I love experimenting with colors and textures in manicure. Having worked as a master for 7 years, I realized that nails are a small canvas for great art. On this site I share my favorite techniques, talk about fashion trends and give advice on how to make the perfect manicure and pedicure at home. Join me and let's create beauty together!

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