Best Nail Drying Lamps: UV or Ice? How to choose, application features

Gel polish on nails, unlike ordinary polish, can be worn for 2-3 weeks. In this case, the coating will not deteriorate and will not peel off the nail. It is impossible to dry gel polish in the usual way; you need to use an ultraviolet apparatus to dry it. Determining which lamp for drying your nails is the best is very difficult. Therefore, just before choosing, it is better to analyze the most famous brands.

Working principle of UV lamp for drying varnish

UV nail curing lamp is one of the most common. Its price is not high, it is available to any consumer and dries almost any coating.

The design of the apparatus is a plastic box with fluorescent lamps, which dry gel polish using broad-spectrum ultraviolet radiation. The device can contain from 1 to 4 elements emitting ultraviolet color, 9 watts each.

The power of the UV dryer depends on their number:

• 1 lamp - the power will be 9 watts,
• 2 - 18 watts,
• 3 -27 Watt,
• 4 - 36 watts.

Sometimes the device is equipped with a mirror coating inside or a pull-out tray. In some models, the external panel may have control buttons and a countdown timer dial. In rare cases, the device is equipped with a fan.

The disadvantages of a UV lamp include:

• harmful effect on the eyes, skin of the hands and the nail plate itself;
• the manifestation of allergic reactions in some girls;
• short service life;
• decrease in power when one or more elements burn out;
• heating of the case.

Luminescent elements wear out quickly, not only due to the long burning time, but also due to frequent switching on and off. The lamps will have to be changed frequently, if even one burns out, the dryer power will decrease.

When choosing a UV lamp for drying gel polish, you need to take into account its power. Also, factors such as the type and number of layers of coating used will affect the quality of drying.

How does the led manicure lamp work?

A LED device works like UV by scattering ultraviolet radiation. The essential difference is that LED lamps, rather than fluorescent ones, emit UV waves. LEDs are not picky about the number of uses, the frequency of switching on and off.

They will not heat up the plastic of the case. If one or more of the components burn out, it will not affect the operation of the device. Due to the fact that all the energy is converted into light, the polymerization time of one layer will be only half a minute.

However, with all the advantages of using Led lamps, there is a significant disadvantage - not every coating can be dried. Such a device has a narrow range of emitted ultraviolet waves and performs its functions only for special adapted means. Therefore, it may not dry out some “heavy” gels or not dry at all.

What is the difference between UV and LED lamp

The nail drying lamp (which one can better understand the comparison table below) works using ultraviolet light, which is emitted by fluorescent or LED devices.

The table shows the differences between UV and LED devices:

There are also hybrid lamps on the market of the manicure industry. Such models are equipped with both luminescent elements and LEDs. They combine all the advantages of using Led lamps, but at the same time, like UV devices, they dry any type of coating.

The main disadvantage is the overpriced in comparison with analogs operating on fluorescent lamps or LEDs separately. For professionals, such a device will be irreplaceable and will last a very long time.

Are manicure lamps harmful?

Drying nails in a UV lamp harms the skin of the hands and directly the nails due to exposure to ultraviolet rays. On the forums describing such devices, you can see information that prolonged use of UV devices causes cancer. Scientists have denied this information.

A number of tests have been carried out by researchers at the American Cancer Association. After studying the principle of operation of ultraviolet devices for manicure, experts did not confirm this fact. The dose of radiation on the skin is negligible and is not even equated with the harmful effects of a tanning bed.

Before drying, it is recommended to apply sunscreen to the skin of the hands or wear special gloves for manicure. Such actions will certainly protect the skin from negative effects.

Led nail lamps are considered completely harmless. It is believed that such a device has a bad effect on vision. This is due to cheap LEDs, the design of which may not be performed correctly.

The more expensive the device is, the better the manufacturer has supplied the lamps. Therefore, when choosing which device is better, you need to carefully study the design so as not to harm your own health and the health of customers.

Are allergies possible when using manicure lamps?

The nail dryer lamp (which is best for women with UV or Led allergies, depends on the heating element) can cause an allergic reaction. It's all about ultraviolet radiation. In rare cases, women have allergic reactions to ultraviolet radiation.

Most often, the symptoms are observed in girls who are sensitive to sunlight. They can appear both after the first use, and after several uses of the device, due to the accumulation of the allergen in the body. And factors such as heredity or individual intolerance can aggravate the reaction.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can manifest as:

• rash around the nail;
• itchy skin;
• redness;
• swelling, blistering, or swelling.

Even without using the UV apparatus for a long time, when the procedures are resumed in prone girls with sensitive skin, the allergy returns again. For such women, LED devices are more suitable, since they have a small range of UV radiation.

How to choose a lamp?

When choosing a device, you need to be guided by the criteria:

1. Financial opportunities. For home manicure, you can purchase a budget UV lamp. You can buy such devices very cheaply on websites with Chinese goods or in any store that sells goods for manicure.
2. Allergy to ultraviolet light. If a girl has a skin reaction to ultraviolet radiation, a Led lamp is the best alternative for her.
3. What is the device for? If a woman buys a device only for home drying of gel polish, she can safely take a Led device and use the means adapted for it. If you plan to do your manicure professionally, it is best to purchase a powerful hybrid lamp.
4. Manicure or pedicure. For coloring nails and on legs, you need to pay attention to the dimensions of the device.Not every model is suitable for this purpose due to the small size and width of the finger opening.

All devices have different characteristics. You can buy an expensive UV lamp with additional features, or buy a budget LED machine that lacks many auxiliary functions, but which will provide quick drying and health safety.

Do you need a professional lamp for home use?

More often women buy medium-cost lamps, regardless of their type, UV or Led. Small and low-power devices are used at home. Such functions like curing speed in 10-30 seconds are important only for manicurists. The main requirements for a manicure at home are the durability and compactness of the apparatus.

A lamp for drying nails (which one is better depends on the capabilities of the consumer and the field of application) should be universal, small-sized and with a long service life. You don't need a multifunctional device to dry gel polish at home.

How much do UV and LED lamps cost?

The cost depends entirely on the characteristics of the device. UV devices with a power of 9 watts will cost about 1,500 rubles, and with a power of 36 watts - up to 3,300 rubles.

Led devices are about twice as expensive as UV (up to 8000 rubles). Their price is no longer based on power (maximum - 45 watts), but on the polymerization time and additional functions. If the UV machine cures the coating on average in 60 - 120 seconds, then the LED will dry it in 20 seconds.

A lamp for drying nails (which is better defined also by the fact of safety) with fluorescent elements has a small proportion of mercury, and LEDs are completely safe. Additional advantages of the LED device can be considered its urgency. It can operate without maintenance for up to 100,000 hours. It is due to the characteristics and additional advantages that its price also depends.

Rating of the best lamp manufacturers

The table shows a comparative list of the main brands of gel polish drying machines on the nail industry market and their average price.

If you buy a device for home manicure, you can spend only 650 rubles, and if you need a more professional and versatile device, you will have to spend (13000-19000 rubles).

CND UV Lamp 36W

The device is more often used by masters of manicure and pedicure. In comparison with analogs, the model has a number of advantages. It has a display with a countdown and a display of power, the possibility of manual control and a number of additional functions for comfortable use (removable pallet, convenient handle for carrying).

JessNail 36V

A common but widespread Russian-made apparatus. This model is suitable for non-professionals and novice craftsmen. Powered by 4 fluorescent elements for a total of 36 watts. The device is programmed to count down only for 2 and 3 minutes, which is extremely inconvenient.

OPILED light

The leader among devices for professional use. OPILED light has 32 powerful LEDs that cure the coating in a very short time (10 to 30 seconds). Controlled by a sensor.

There is a stopwatch for the countdown. Consists of a durable metal body and a mirror finish inside the body, which increases its efficiency at times compared to other models. The disadvantages of using, in addition to the high cost, will also be a certain list of coatings that can be dried and a network euro-plug, for which a special adapter is needed.

LED + CCFL "Diamond"

The golden mean in the rating of LED devices. It has 12 LEDs and 1 spiral, which allows drying the coating in a short time.

There is a countdown of 10, 30 or 60 seconds, however, it is installed on the back of the device, which is uncomfortable for self-drying.It is also worth noting the small size of the model, in which it will be possible to dry only the nails on four fingers at once.

RuNail 36 WRU 911

The device is widely used both by girls at home and by masters of the nail industry. RuNail 36 W RU 911 looks like a "tunnel" and weighs 1.5 kg. The device is equipped with 4 fluorescent lamps, 9 Watt each. There is a timer with 3 modes. The disadvantages include only the warranty period established by the company equal to 3 months, which may imply a short-term operation.

Planet Nails Big Heart

One of the cheapest Led devices. Planet Nails Big Heart is suitable for home use or beginner training. It is equipped with 28 4.5 W lamps.

A special feature is its long-term operation without maintenance. The developers have set 40,000 glow hours, but only when working with certain coatings. The downside is the lack of a timer and dial.

9W Mini Nail Dryer LED UV Lamp

The smallest Led lamp. The main features are compactness and very low price. Naturally, this model is not suitable for professionals, however, it will be very effective for manicure at home. Despite its small size, it has a timer. It is very pleasant to take her with you. Among the disadvantages are low power and a short cord.

UV Lamp 36W Aliexpress

An indispensable option for beginners. The device from China does not have any additional functions. The Aliexpress 36W UV machine is equipped with a 2 minute timer and a pull-out tray.

It dries all types of nail coatings and is in high demand. The disadvantage is a frequent factory defect and a short service life of luminescent elements after purchase.

The best lamps, according to customer reviews

It is impossible to form a general opinion of users on a particular nail dryer, since they are all subdivided into several types. There are both cheap, practical at home, and expensive, used both at home and in beauty salons.

In Russia, the Master Professional W 818 36W UV lamp is in great demand. It belongs to one of the cheapest lamps. Although it lacks additional features, most user comments on it are positive. The main features are the price (1000 rubles) and the presence of a timer with one mode for 2 minutes.

The body has a pull-out tray. The dimensions of the device allow you to dry gel polish on five fingers at once. Internet users describe the disadvantages of this lamp in the poor quality of plastic, short power cord and frequent factory defects. However, customers like Master Professional W 818 36W for its affordable price, easy maintenance and durability.

Girls choose ORLY Gel FX 480 from more expensive and high quality lamps. Its price ranges from 8,000 to 10,000 rubles. This model is compact, lightweight and has a beautiful design. It is equipped with touch control and user-friendly interface, has a timer for 10, 20 and 30 seconds.

Owners of such a device appreciate its long-term use without replacing elements (resource up to 45,000 hours). Most often, ORLY Gel FX 480 is used by professionals in the nail industry, but users also use it for home manicure.

Nail drying lamps come in different types and sizes. The service life and price of these devices are also very varied. When choosing which device is better, you need to pay attention to all the criteria and rely on the opinions of buyers who have already tried the devices.

Article design: Vladimir the Great

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