Gel nail paints are designed to harden when exposed to various types of light and sources. UV light, which is present in the sunshine, tanning lights, and nail-polish lamps, is a virtually invisible kind of light. Curing your nails with a UV lamp might take up to 2 minutes. UV wavelengths have always been used to cure gel nail polish. The light emits a broad spectrum of UV wavelengths at lower concentrations and energies, absorbing light and transforming it into the energy required to fuel the polymerization process. When UV photons interact with those molecules, they get activated, causing the gel to “cure” into hard plastic.
These days, UV-B nail dryers are increasingly becoming popular. Although solely up to the expert’s discretion, the switch to UV-B promises to be better in the long run, not just for the technology but also for the clientele. UV-B lights function similarly, except they emit smaller UV wavelengths, greater concentration, and more energy. The photoinitiators in the gel are targeted by these light-emitting diodes, allowing the gel to cure significantly faster than UV.
What Happens When UV Light Is Used To Cure Gel?
Instead of waiting for hours for your nails to dry in front of an oscillating fan, a gel polish treatment employs ultraviolet (UV) light to dry your nails quickly. The UV light used to apply gel nails is comparable to a hand-sized tanning bed. The application of gel nails is a lengthy procedure. Each natural or synthetic nail applies four to five coatings of a particular nail solution. The nails are momentarily exposed to UV-A or UV-B light within a tiny box after each coat is applied. As a result, the nails repair and dry swiftly.
Can All UV Lamps Cure Gel?
Because you are only supposed to use certain gel polishes with particular UV-A nail lights, a UV-B lamp will not function in these situations. Always double-check that the brand of gel polish you’re using is compatible with the UV light you’re planning to use. Any UV light will work with all gel polishes since it emits a broader band of wavelengths that can cure all varieties of gel polish. The type of light you can safely use with the product will be available on the bottle. Some gel polish companies advocate utilizing their custom-made light for their formulations; this is typically to ensure that you’re using the correct wattage and not over-curing the polish.
Which UV Lamp Should You Buy?
When deciding between a UV-B and UV-A nail light, consider not only your budget but also what you want to achieve. If you buy a UV-B nail drier for polish or gel nails, make sure you have the right gel system for it. It will significantly impact the final output because gels are designed to operate with certain formulae. The bad news is that UV-B lights cannot cure all gel brands; however, UV-A lamps can cure all UV-B polishes. Here is a great value-for-money UV lamp for curing all gel nails. If you elect to cure UV-B polishes using a UV-A drier, you may need to reduce the length of time you cure. Check the gel manufacturer’s website for information on how long to cure different polishes under UV-A or UV-B lights.
Conclusion
To summarise, all UV lights can cure gel polishes, but you must first determine whether the polish is compatible with the specific type of lamp. If you work in the manicure industry, you’ll need a light that can get the job done swiftly. Curing time is one area where you may be liberal and save money if this is more of a pastime or something you do once in a while for family and friends. A UV-B nail lamp generally cures considerably faster than a UV-A light; however, you must always consider the type of nail polish you use. Whatever option you select, be sure it’s the most excellent match for your company, clientele, or personal requirements!
More Articles On Gel Nails:
- Are My Nails Extremely Short For Gel Nails?
- How To Dry Soak Off Gel Polish Without UV Light?
- Can You Dry Or Cure Gel Nail Polish With A Hair Dryer?
- How To Dry Soak Off Gel Polish?
- What Is UV LED Soak Off Gel Polish?
- What Is Soak Off Base Coat And Top Coat?
- How To Use Soak Off UV Gel Polish?
- What Is An UV LED Nail Lamp & How to Use it Correctly?
- Can You Use Gel Polish For Stamping?
- Can You Use Acrylic Paints On Gel Manicured Nails?
- Can You Use Black Light For Gel Nails?
- How To Dry Gel Nail Polish With LED Light?
- Is UV Light Necessary For Gel Nails?
- Right Way of Curing Gel Nails
