Most nail salons offer gel manicures and pedicures since this type of polish lasts longer than traditional lacquers. Gel polish requires curing under a lamp to set and harden, and you can use two types of lamps for this process: LED and UV lights. We’ll explain the differences between LED and UV lamps so you understand the options for your salon.
What Are LED Nail Lamps?
Many nail salons use LEDs to cure the polish. These lamps are popular due to their fast-curing time; it takes less than a minute to dry polish! LED nail lamps emit light in a specific wavelength, activating photoinitiators in the gel polish and causing it to harden.
LED nail lamps often cure gel polish faster than UV lights. However, this type of nail light may not work for all gel polishes, as it uses a narrower wavelength than ultraviolet lamps, so some polishes may not cure properly. Luckily, relatively new gel polish formulas work with LED and UV lamps.
What Are UV Nail Lamps?
Most of us have heard of ultraviolet (UV) light, which is common in tanning beds and naturally comes from the sun. Nail salons also use UV light to cure gel polish. These lamps emit a broader light spectrum than LEDs, making them compatible with a wider range of gel polishes. They also activate the photoinitiators in gel polish. UV lamps typically take about two minutes to cure gel polish thoroughly.
As many of us know, over-exposure to UV light can become dangerous. That said, UV lamps for nail curing emit much lower levels of ultraviolet light than tanning beds, let alone the sun. Still, if you worry about this exposure, it’s best to stick with LED nail lamps, as they emit little to no UV light.
Which Is Best?
When explaining the differences between LED and UV lamps, it’s worth noting that the two are very similar. LED and UV nail lights come in small sizes that work in any salon. Likewise, they complete the same job of curing gel polish.
One of the main differences between both lamps is that LEDs cure gel nail polish faster than UV lamps, making them ideal for busy salons that aim to serve more clients in a day. Additionally, LED nail lamps have a longer lifespan than UV light models, making them better long-term assets.
Check Your Polishes
Remember that some gel polishes only cure under UV light. Before purchasing a lamp, check the gel polish packaging to ensure it is compatible with the nail lamp your salon has available.
Shop for Quality Nail Supplies
Mia Secret sells many options for professional gel nail polish. Shop our collection of easy-to-apply, beautiful polishes that cure under UV or LED light. With various colors, your clients will love the available options, and your salon can provide great services with a professional finish!