How to choose a lamp for gel polish
In the conditions of modern life, many women do not have enough time to go to the salon and put their nails in order. Therefore, more and more often, manicure is done at home. And in order for the nail coating to last longer and to be performed according to all the rules, a special lamp is needed.
Types of lamps for manicure
There are several types of lamps that can be used for manicure not only in the salon, but also at home:
- Ultraviolet lamps are used most often. They are affordable, they can dry not only ordinary varnish, but also gel polish. At the same time, they have several disadvantages - they are limited operating time and harmful effects on the eyes and skin.
- LED lamps dry coating fast. They are especially recommended for gel applications. They do not affect the health of the skin and eyes. At the same time, their high cost is a definite disadvantage.
- The principle of operation of gas-light lamps with a cold cathode is based on the glow of a gas under the influence of electrodes. These lamps consume little energy and are very durable.
- In salons, professional hybrid lamps are usually used. They use all the good qualities of several technologies. These lamps are quite expensive.
All lamps for manicure have different capacities. Depending on this value, the speed of the device and its area of application are determined.
- The smallest power is 9W. Such lamps are distinguished by the simplicity of the device, low cost and small size. They have a single light bulb that is suitable for drying one nail. These low power bulbs are good for home use.
- 18W lamps already have 2 bulbs. This device is for those who have limited funds, but for whom the lamp is really necessary. Lamps with this power will cope with different types of coatings and can be used not only for home manicure, but also in the salon.
- Lamps with a power of 36 W are ideal for salons. They already have several additional functions - a fan, a timer, and others. This allows you to successfully complete various tasks in a short time.
- There are also lamps with a power of 45 watts. Such devices are used only in specialized salons. Two brushes can be placed in them at once, which significantly speeds up drying.
How to choose a lamp for a manicure
If you have firmly decided that a lamp for drying nails is vital for you, then first decide on the area of its use. Also decide which functions of the lamp are important to you and which ones can be neglected.
Ultraviolet lamps are inexpensive and can be used at home or in a small beauty salon. They offer a wide range of models and functions, are suitable for most types of coatings and are easy to use. At the same time, ultraviolet lamps are not without drawbacks. They start to work worse over time and can cause allergies to ultraviolet light.
If performance is important to you, then give preference to an LED lamp. Such devices will dry the coating in a few seconds. They are not harmful to the skin. Even after a few years, such a lamp will not lose power. The disadvantages of an LED lamp include high cost and limited spectrum of action. Some materials are not affected by LED lamps. Only specially marked polymers and gels should be used.
When buying a lamp, the first thing you need to pay attention to is the presence of a reflector. This allows the beams to be directed to the area to be treated and the coating dries more efficiently. It is best if the reflector is made of polymer.
Next, pay attention to the bottom of the case. It must have a removable part and be protected by a special casing. This will make the process of caring for your device much easier.
The presence of useful additions, such as a built-in timer and a fan, will make drying more comfortable and convenient for the client. At the same time, these additions inevitably affect the cost of the device. Therefore, here already proceed from your priorities. Experienced manicurists advise not to skimp on useful supplements. A high-quality device will last longer and will return on investment very quickly.
