Which lamp is better for gel polish and how do they differ? Learning to choose the best equipment for drying shellac - Setafi

It is not so difficult to figure out which lamp is best for gel polish. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of devices, as well as with the main technical characteristics. A complete selection guide for beginners can be found in this article.

What are the types of lamps

A good lamp for gel polish leads to rapid crystallization of the composition applied to the nails. Moreover, the principle of operation is always the same - the device acts on polymers using radiation. But it comes in different wavelengths, on the basis of which several types are distinguished. To understand how to choose a lamp for gel polish, you need to consider each of them.

ultraviolet

These devices, as the name suggests, produce ultraviolet radiation, hence the abbreviations UV or UV. It is based on fluorescent lamps, they are universal in their action and are able to polymerize any compounds, even those marked “LED”. This is a very important, but not the only advantage - such light sources work efficiently and at the same time do not waste a lot of energy.

But considering which lamp to choose for drying gel polish, you need to take into account the disadvantages:

• over time, the heating elements lose power, so they need to be changed (otherwise the varnish does not dry well and even wrinkle);
• drying lasts a relatively long time - within 1-2 minutes;
• such devices may be affected by power surges.

LED

In order to correctly understand how to choose a lamp for drying nails, it is also recommended to consider LED light sources - they are marked LED or LED. They are more perfect than ultraviolet, because the drying of nails takes place in just 1 minute or even faster. There are other clear benefits:

• LEDs are durable and do not need to be replaced, because even after a long time they retain the same power;
• they practically do not heat up, so even if there is a long work ahead, it will be comfortable;
• less energy consumption, which saves money.

But to really understand which is the best lamp for drying gel polish, it is important to learn about the disadvantages. A significant disadvantage is that these diodes are not universal, because they do not dry all varnishes. In addition, not all lamps can be replaced. Often, when the burning stops, you have to throw away the entire device and buy a new model.

Cold cathode lamps

In an effort to overcome the disadvantages of LED-type devices, manufacturers have also developed spiral cold cathode lamps, which are abbreviated as CCFL. This is another option that allows you to understand how to choose a lamp for drying gel polish.

The model is arranged in a special way. It consists of several lamps inside which an inert gas (such as neon) is pumped in and small amounts of mercury are added. Therefore, we can say which lamp is better to buy for gel polish. If you need an improved universal light source, you should stop at this option.

The advantages of cathode lamps are obvious:

• you can work with varnish of any composition;
• there is no filament, so the surface does not heat up even during prolonged use;
• saves electrical energy.

But finding such devices for sale is not as easy as those described above. Another disadvantage is that cold cathode lamps do not have a high drying speed - you have to spend 1-2 minutes each.

hybrid

When studying which lamp to choose for gel polish, it will not be superfluous to consider hybrid devices that have the features of 2 models at once. Combinations can be:

• UV and LED (marking can also be in English letters);
• CCFl (i.e. cold cathode) and ICE.

If you figure out what a hybrid lamp for drying nails means, you need to say that this is a device that has both types of light sources. Therefore, they have the advantages of each of them:

• universal purpose;
• do not heat up even during prolonged operation;
• spend a minimum of electricity;
• dry in just a few seconds (maximum 1 minute).

Regardless of the name of the lamp for drying gel polish, and how it is designated, hybrid devices are most often bought. They are more efficient and give maximum freedom in choosing different formulations.

Main selection criteria

The main way to choose an ice lamp for gel polish or another type of device is to study its technical and consumer characteristics. The most important parameters are described below.

Power

Modern models can have very different power in a wide range of 9-90 watts. Therefore, it is not so easy to understand which good lamp for drying gel polish is suitable in a particular case. But from experience we can say that a power of 48 watts is enough to work with almost any composition.

You can choose more powerful devices, but they will be more expensive. If you purchase a low-power model, the varnish layer may not dry out or even deform. Although, when studying the question of which lamp for drying nails is better, you should not unequivocally refuse devices with an indicator of less than 48 watts. They also have their advantages:

• small price;
• compact dimensions;
• light, can be taken on the road or on the road;
• quite suitable for working with different compositions (but it is better to apply them in a thin layer).

Weight and dimensions

If you work at home with clients or use the device purely for yourself, these parameters do not really matter. It does not matter what the name of the nail dryer is, and how much it will weigh. If you work on the road, often go on business trips, the device should be compact and light enough. It is enough to hold it in your hands and focus on your own feelings.

Additional functions

Another important criterion that allows you to understand which lamp to buy for gel polish is related to the presence of additional functions:

1. Almost all models have a timer. It can be set to different times, such as 30 or 60 seconds.
2. Display - a small screen on which you can track the time, if necessary, change the settings.
3. The button that allows you to reduce power is a very useful option. If necessary, you can make the heating less intense to get rid of burning sensations and pain.
4. Fan to cool the inner surface from heating - especially useful for UV lamps.
5. If we consider which lamp is better for universal use shellac, it is worth buying a device that has a removable bottom. Thanks to such models, you can do not only manicures, but also pedicures at home.
6. Features of the inner surface - better mirror, because it distributes light rays more evenly.
7. The back wall is a simple and convenient addition that allows you to protect the varnish in containers from accidental exposure to UV rays. This is another criterion that helps you understand which gel polish drying lamp to buy.

These are almost all the parameters that really play an important role. To make a profitable purchase, it will not be superfluous to study the reviews on different sites. This will allow you to understand how the lamps for drying gel polish differ, and which model is better in terms of price and quality.