Manicure lamp: how to choose and use?

Today, beautiful nail designs have become available to every fashionista. In addition, you can bring a spectacular manicure to life not only in the salon, but also at home. Today we will analyze in detail how to choose a special lamp used to create an interesting manicure, as well as learn how to use it correctly.

Before proceeding to a detailed acquaintance with the equipment necessary for a manicure, it is necessary to answer the question of what such a lamp is.

The nail polish curing lamp is a fairly simple device. It consists of such elements as a housing with special built-in lamps, as well as buttons for control. There are both professional and home versions of such devices on sale. They also vary in size and function. So, some craftsmen give preference to models equipped with a fan, a mirror surface, a pull-out shelf or other useful little things.

Lamps are built into the inner part of the body and can be fluorescent or LED. It depends on this parameter whether the lamp itself is LED or ultraviolet.

A lamp designed for drying gel polish is a very useful and functional device, without which a beautiful and durable manicure simply will not work. However, the relevance of this device is due not only to this fact.Consider what else is good for such equipment for a nail service.

The advantages of lamps largely depend on their specific type. The most popular and common UV specimens have the following positive qualities.

• These lamps have an affordable cost. In addition, they are widespread and can be found in many stores.
• The UV lamp cures all existing types of gel polishes without any problems. The only exceptions are those trains on which the LED mark is indicated.
• This technique is offered in the widest range. The choice of consumers is a huge number of lamps that differ in their characteristics, sizes, shape, power and manufacturer.
• The UV lamp is the perfect solution for both the salon and the home. Each buyer will be able to choose the best option for himself that meets all his requirements.
• It is easy and simple to use such equipment. A beginner can handle this without any problems.

The second most popular are the modern LED-types of such lamps.

Their main advantages:

• allow you to dry gel polish on ladies' nails very quickly, which makes it possible not to spend a lot of free time on manicure;
• such models serve for a very long time, which distinguishes them from similar options;
• are represented by a variety of models of different capacities.

There are also special hybrid lamps for drying gel polish. These models are relatively new. They are equipped with both types of lamps listed above. Hybrid vehicles have the following advantages:

• with such a technique, the varnish on ladies' nails dries up in the shortest possible time, and it does not take much time for a manicure;
• these lamps boast a long service life, they do not have to be changed often for new ones;
• the combined technique dries virtually any coatings on the nail plates without any problems.

As you can see, each lamp modification has its own strengths. Of course, a lot also depends on the quality of the purchased equipment, it must be of good assembly. It is advisable to give preference to branded copies - usually they are of remarkable quality and long service life.

If you decide to purchase a suitable lamp for drying gel polish, then you should consider not only its positive, but also its negative qualities. The latter, of course, is never done without. The cons, as well as the pros, depend on the type of lamp being selected. The UV variants have the following disadvantages.

• They cannot boast of durability, in many situations they burn out or lose their original power, which makes drying the marigolds useless. It is advisable to replace the bulbs in the UV model every six months (based on the frequency of use).
• Do not use such lamps for girls prone to allergies or other skin reactions. The UV model can cause unpleasant burning sensations on the hands of fashionistas during the polymerization of the varnish.
• You need to be careful with such a lamp. If it breaks, it can vaporize harmful mercury vapor.

As for the equally popular LED devices, several disadvantages can also be noted here.

• Such devices are more expensive than UV lamps, so many young ladies refuse to buy them, opting for more affordable devices.
• When working with the LED lamp, a specialized nail coat should be used. You will need to look for compositions with the appropriate mark. This suggests that these devices are not universal and are not suitable for all varnishes.

The functional hybrid models that are gaining more and more popularity today are also not without drawbacks.

In search of a more economical model, you should not dwell on a hybrid lamp, especially when it comes to branded items.

Before you go to buy a quality lamp for drying varnish, you need to get acquainted with the different types of such technology. Only knowing the characteristics of all subtypes of lamps will it be possible to choose the ideal one.

UV or UV lamps were among the first to hit the market. That is why they are so popular among many craftsmen, both professional and home. Similar specimens are presented in a huge assortment, and differ in many ways. For example, buyers have the option of purchasing an original lamp with a creative design. The sizes of the devices also vary, as does the final cost.

Today, UV lamps for drying are produced, the power of which can reach:

• 9W;
• 18W;
• 36W;
• 54W.

Each of them has 9W. Many of these popular appliances are equipped with timers. In budget models, the time is set for 2 minutes or is turned off manually. As for the more expensive devices, they usually contain additions in the form of timers for 1 minute or 30 seconds.

The UV lamp can be purchased as very small (the mini format is ideal for travel devices) and quite large. The latter provides the ability to simultaneously dry nails on both hands at once.

In such devices, the bulbs have to be changed after about 5-10 thousand hours. Of course, the lifespan of light bulbs largely depends on how and how often the existing equipment is used. When using such a lamp, gel polish usually takes about 2 minutes to dry. The finishing coat takes at least 3 minutes.

The second most popular are modern LED lamps for drying marigolds. These models have appeared relatively recently, and are still considered new. They differ in that they allow the coating to dry in record time - in just 10-30 seconds. In such devices, gel varnishes from different companies are dried, as well as shellac, which is fashionable in our time.

For the most part, LED lamps are large and powerful. Some variants have very sensitive sensors. In such models, the glow is activated automatically as soon as you place your hand in the inside of the device, which is very convenient.

Not so long ago, small LED lamps of a modest power of 6 watts began to be produced. These models are cheaper than standard models and are easier to transport. Experienced craftsmen claim that such lamps are ideal options for long trips or home visits to clients. Also on sale you can find finger-sized LED drying lamps or special flashlights.

Such lamp models can work for about 100 thousand hours. Drying of coatings takes no more than 10-30 seconds. Of course, keep in mind that the gel you choose must be suitable for drying under these conditions. Making marigolds with a beautiful varnish with the described lamp will take no more than 20 minutes. It should also be noted that over time, the LEDs in this equipment do not lose their original power. If one diode in the equipment burns out, the remaining diodes will not be affected in any way.

Not so long ago, functional lamps for drying nails have appeared on the market. They combine fluorescent bulbs with a cold cathode. Such devices have been used recently, but they are chosen by many experienced craftsmen.

The long service life of such models is explained by the presence of tubes in them, in which the gas creates the necessary glow. The specified unit can easily last about 80 thousand hours without replacing lamps.CCFL models generate almost no heat during their operation. There are also special CCFL & LED models. These are hybrids that combine LED and fluorescent lighting. Such functional and practical units allow you to quickly dry all types of nail coatings. The process in this case takes about 30-60 seconds.

If you decide to buy a good nail drying lamp, then you should focus on a number of important criteria. Here is some of them.

• Drying chamber dimensions. The lamp should be comfortable to use. Decide in advance what size option you want to buy. In stores, there are both very small devices and larger specimens in which two hands can be placed at once. The latter, of course, simplify the work and reduce the time spent on manicure.
• Type of lamps. All existing types of lamps have been described above. Experienced masters advise to give preference to universal devices that will not cause burning sensation on the hands, and will allow the varnish to dry as quickly as possible.
• Manufacturer country. The technique, which was made in Asian countries, will always have a lower cost, but its quality often leaves much to be desired. It is advisable to choose not Chinese, but European or American options, despite their high cost.

• Availability of additional functions. Take your time buying a lamp with tons of options that you won't be using. You will only overpay for such a technique, but it will not become more useful for you.
• Body material. Modern dryers for gels and shellac are made of metal and plastic. The latter are cheaper and more common. Metal devices are more expensive, but they also last longer.
• Power. Always pay attention to this parameter of the selected device. It is on the power of the dryer that its efficiency and cost will depend.

As mentioned earlier, it is better to buy a branded lamp for drying ladies' nails. Mostly branded models are of brilliant quality. They do not have to be constantly sent for repairs or quickly replaced with a new lamp. Let's take a closer look at the high quality products of several of the most famous manufacturers, offering a choice of drying lamps, made to all standards.

The well-known OPI brand is known for the highest quality of its products, as well as a chic assortment. The choice of consumers is presented with excellent LED and combination devices, as well as good varnishes that do not harm the health of nails. The company also produces not only large stationary lamps, but also lightweight mini-versions at an affordable price.

Lamps from this manufacturer vary in size and appearance. Most often in stores there are laconic models of white or black and white colors. If you wish, there is an opportunity to find blue, green, red, gold and many other attractive devices.

OPI lamps vary in price. You can buy both a very affordable product (for example, a lamp in the "mini" format for 440 rubles), and expensive equipment of large sizes, suitable for professional use.

This world famous brand produces good lamps that can also assist the master in decorating marigolds. In this case, we are talking about technology that provides good lighting in the space and work area.

The most relevant are the following lamps, about which many nail service masters speak positively.

• KVART. This model is responsible for directional lighting. Has a convenient adjustable tripod. With such a device, it is convenient not only to read books, but also to design women's nails.
• TERTIAL. Another practical directional light model that is perfect for working with nails.It has an adjustable tripod and shade, with which it will be possible to change the direction of light without any problems.
• RIGGADR. Such a lamp will not only create the optimal ambient light for the master, but also allow the phone to be charged from it, because it has a USB port.
• SVIRVEL. The directional lighting of this model is perfect for working with nails. This lamp adjusts both the tripod and the shade.

A lot of modern outlets offer girls not only practical and efficient at work, but also very beautiful hybrid lamps "Crystal" or Diamond. Most of them have a case made with several faces, like a real crystal. Aesthetic models are available not only in classic white, but also in black, red, pink, purple, golden, beige and many other shades.

Such attractive devices are made of metal, and have two options for timers:

• 30-60-90 sec .;
• 10-30-60 sec.

In these lamps, most often there is a convenient removable bottom (attached to magnets or special clothespins), as well as an automatic sensor.

This well-known company produces many different lamps for drying ladies' nails. The most common and common ones are the good old UV models of different powers.

Modern dryers from Yoko are very popular because they are inexpensive. On sale you can find not only fairly simple options, but also copies with a timer. Hardware design is mostly simple and unobtrusive. The most common body colors are white and pink (a little less often - black).

It is not enough to find and buy the perfect nail polish curing lamp. It is very important to use it correctly so that it lasts as long as possible and does not cause problems during its operation. It should be noted here that such a technique is simple and straightforward to use. It is unlikely that you will face any difficulties.

You should act like this:

• the first step is to plug the equipment into the outlet;
• after that, you can press the start button and let the unit warm up a little, usually it takes several minutes;
• the timer should now be set;
• place the nails under the lamp so that the plates themselves are located directly under it;

• repeat this procedure with the rest of the nails (if dry one finger at a time);
• when finished, press the disconnect button of the device, and then unplug it from the network.

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in using this technique at home. Everyone can competently dry the varnish on the nails.

If you do not want to spend a lot of free time on manicure, then you should buy an LED or hybrid model of the dryer. UV lamps do an excellent job of their main function, but they take longer to dry the gel. In addition, if the equipment was bought a long time ago, and has been used for a certain time, its power may be reduced, which will make it dry even more slowly.

For the first time, the usual UV model will be enough. With this technique, you will be able to gain the necessary experience. It is better to switch to more serious options after a while.

The best solution for people who prefer to work with a variety of materials for covering and extending nails are modern hybrid lamps. They have a higher cost, but they will cope with any coatings.

CCFL lamps are very popular today. Experienced craftsmen advise buying equipment that has three bulbs. In these models, the radiation is distributed as evenly as possible, which makes them more convenient to use.

Choose equipment with sufficient power. For example, in the case of using a low-power LED lamp, the lower layer of the gel may simply not harden during drying. Because of this, the gel polish can subsequently chip and flake off in some places on the nail plate.

Many women of fashion are wondering whether lamps for drying marigolds harm health.

The design of the dryers is such that the person himself is not exposed to radiation while working with them. The biggest problem that you may encounter is a slight burning sensation when working with ultraviolet lamps, however, this does not imply bad consequences.

If you work in a salon, then a simple medium-power lamp will not be enough for you. In such conditions, it is necessary to operate a device of high power. With it, you will not spend a lot of time drying the nail plates. If you work in a small table, then it is better to refuse a large lamp - it will clutter up the workspace. In such a situation, the compact model will be the best solution.

Do not overshadow the appearance of the selected lamp.

Take a closer look at your surroundings. It is desirable that the technique harmoniously fit into it, and not knock out, attracting unnecessary attention.

After drying, your nails may suddenly start to bubble. This usually indicates improper storage of materials, poorly processed nail surface, individual intolerance, or the poor quality of the coatings used.

Lamps for drying various gel varnishes or shellac are used nowadays by many women of fashion. They note the main positive qualities of such a technique:

• a large assortment;
• drying speed (especially when it comes to LED options);
• the presence of additional options, for example, a timer;
• maximum ease of use;
• the opportunity to purchase not only an expensive, but also a cheap model for home use;
• ease of use;
• no harmful effects;
• attractive design (applies to many modern models).

The most common disadvantages of drying lamps that have been noticed by fashionistas and craftsmen are:

• the complexity of the selection of suitable coatings (which is suitable for some lamps, not suitable for others);
• the high cost of professional and more practical models;
• short cords;
• fragility (especially plastic options);
• not always comfortable clearances for the hands.

For information on how to choose the right lamp for a manicure, see the video below.