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

Figuring out which lamp is best for gel polish is not that difficult. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of devices, as well as the main technical characteristics. For a complete selection guide for beginners, check out this article.

What types of lamps are there?

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 and are therefore abbreviated UV or UV. They are based on fluorescent lamps; they are universal in their action and are capable of polymerizing any composition, 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 when 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 replaced (otherwise the varnish does not dry well and even wrinkles);
• drying lasts a relatively long time - for 1-2 minutes;
• such devices may be damaged by power surges.

LED

To properly understand how to choose a lamp for drying nails, it is recommended to also consider LED light sources - they are designated as ICE or LED. They are more advanced than ultraviolet nails because nails dry in just 1 minute or even faster. There are other clear advantages:

• LEDs are durable and do not need to be replaced, since even after a long time they retain the same power;
• they practically do not heat up, so even if you have to work for a long time, it will be comfortable;
• Energy consumption is less, 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, if the combustion stops, you have to throw away the entire device and buy a new model.

Cold cathode lamps

In an effort to overcome the shortcomings of LED-type devices, manufacturers have also developed lamps with a cold cathode spiral, 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 designed in a special way. It consists of several lamps, inside of which an inert gas (for example, neon) is pumped 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 light source for universal use, you should choose this option.

The advantages of lamps with a cathode are obvious:

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

But finding similar devices on sale is not as easy as those described above. Another disadvantage is due to the fact that cold cathode lamps do not have a high drying speed - you have to spend 1-2 minutes.

Hybrid

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

• UV and LED (marking may also be in English letters);
• CCFl (that is, cold cathode) and ICE.

If you understand what a hybrid lamp for drying nails means, you need to say that this is a device that contains 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 purchased. They are more effective and provide 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 levels 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 W is quite 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 may be completely deformed. Although, when studying the question of which lamp for drying nails is better, you should not definitely abandon devices with an indicator of less than 48 W. They also have their advantages:

• low price;
• compact dimensions;
• lightweight, can be taken on the road or out;
• They are 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 matter much. It doesn’t matter what the name of the nail dryer is or exactly how much it will weigh. If you work on the road or 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 sensations.

Additional functions

Another important criterion for understanding 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 and change settings if necessary.
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 and pain.
4. A fan to cool the interior surface from heat - especially useful for UV lamps.
5. If we consider which is the best lamp for universal use shellac, it is worth buying a device that has a removable bottom. Thanks to such models, you can practice not only manicures, but also pedicures at home.
6. Features of the inner surface are better: mirrored, 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 lamp to buy for drying gel polish.

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