The scope of manicure and pedicure does not stand still. New materials and technologies are emerging to make the nail coat durable, safe and, of course, effective. To preserve the created beauty, the nail coating must be properly dried. This can be done with an ultraviolet lamp. And it doesn’t matter if you put your nails in order with the help of a professional master, a skilled girlfriend or on your own.
What it is?
Modern lamps not only consolidate the effect and provide the material with the necessary strength. They also significantly save time. Without them, the process of polymerizing materials for manicure can take more than a dozen minutes. And if you take into account the multilayer coating - then the clock. After all, first you need to apply a basic, leveling layer, then one or two layers of colored varnish. And finally - a gel that can fix the coating of the nail from above and from the end.
It is better to apply each subsequent layer after the previous one is completely dry. Without an ultraviolet lamp, this is definitely not enough. Depending on the material used for the coating and the lamp power, the hardening process will take no more than two minutes.
The lamp for drying nails is a device consisting of the following elements:
- a plastic case that performs not only a protective, but also a decorative function;
- built-in lamps (there may be several);
- internal reflective coating;
- a fan that prevents overheating of parts of the device and the surface of the hands;
- external switches with which control is carried out - on, off, timer settings, and so on.
In addition to the standard set of functions, such a device can include:
- a timer with a light or sound indicator that ensures strict adherence to time frames;
- retractable bottom panel, necessary to make drying more convenient, for example, in a pedicure.
What are the differences from LED lamps?
Depending on the lamps in them, the dryers can be ultraviolet (UV), light emitting diode (LED) and gas light (CCFL), which are their variety. Much less often on sale you can find devices that combine two types of lamps at once. This is necessary in order to maximize the use of the advantages of one type or another or to minimize their disadvantages.
The principle of operation of such lamps is simple, but different. UV (UV) fluorescent lamps contain gas that conducts current and emits ultraviolet rays. The principle of operation of CCFL discharge lamps is similar, but they heat up less due to the fact that they do not have incandescent filaments, and they are more economical. According to the radiation spectrum, these two types of lamps are the same. LED sources emit light from special elements through which current flows. Moreover, these elements are connected by microcircuits to electric current converters. The emission spectrum of such lamps is less.
Thus, the following pros and cons can be noted.
- Despite the fact that conventional UV lamps are energy-efficient, LED lamps are more economical.
- LED lamps do not need to be changed. Fluorescent lamps are designed for a certain number of hours of operation (this information is usually indicated on the package). That is, they must be replaced. But given their low cost and the fact that it takes a little more than a minute to dry, these costs can be considered negligible.
- LED devices have fewer features. That is, they will cope with ordinary gel polish or biogel. In addition, special gel coatings adapted for them have now appeared. An ultra-violet lamp of average power will cope with any coating.
- If you take lamps of the same power, then drying under UV will take a little more time. But the polymerization (solidification) in such a lamp will be more uniform. For this purpose, light sources are installed in it and on the sides.
- LED dryers are usually more compact. But if you need to dry the nails on your feet, for a comfortable placement it is better to take a larger UV device.
In general, it is not entirely correct to compare devices in which lamps of a different spectrum of radiation stand. In fact, they are just designed for different materials. And the presence in them of different types of lamps or diodes also leaves its mark on functionality.
The question of the harmfulness of ultraviolet radiation during manicure is controversial. Firstly, its range in such drying devices is not harmful to humans. Secondly, the time spent by the fingers inside is limited. Thirdly, the protective housing and the inner coating are designed so that the rays are scattered only inside.
The mercury inside the lamps carries a great danger. Therefore, before transporting the device, they must be unscrewed. And if integrity is violated, they should immediately be placed in a hermetically sealed container and contact the appropriate service for disposal. If you follow these simple rules, then there will be no problems with use.
Varieties
Having decided to choose an ultraviolet lamp for manicure, you will be surprised at the huge selection. They may vary in several ways.
By capacity:
- for one hand (do not try to place all five fingers at the same time; for convenience and uniformity of polymerization, four fingers are first dried, without a thumb);
- for two.
By color - the choice is quite large, you can pick up almost any interior or choose something for the mood.
In shape:
- can be closed (round, rectangular, fancy);
- models without a lower part or with a retractable bottom (in the form of an arch).
By lamp power they can be divided into two large groups:
- 9 and 18 watts;
- 36 and 54 watts.
With an increase in capacity, drying time decreases proportionally, but their price rises. Therefore, the first option is suitable if a person has just begun to master the coating of nails and does this only for himself or a narrow circle of loved ones. If you plan a large amount of work, various experiments in the field of materials and making a profit - it is better to choose the last option.
Electrical appliances with a power of 54 watts are used for two hands and most often they can be seen in the salons. Masters doing manicures at home usually choose simpler devices. By the way, sometimes it is more profitable to purchase two devices for drying hands separately than for two at the same time.
Depending on the ignition scheme, the lamps are:
- electronic;
- induction.
The second is heavier, with an additional element to run. If voltage fluctuations are possible in the network, this option is preferable. Electronic are cheaper, but more often fail. Marking is usually indicated on the lamp base with power.
Selection recommendations
Making the right choice is not easy, especially when the modern market is literally full of offers. This can be affected by several nuances.
- First, decide what you need the device for. Think about how often you plan to use it. Often the services of a manicurist bring a good additional income. Therefore, if you are a beginner, but admit the possibility of further training, choose a more powerful option. As a rule, the cost of the device quickly pays off, even if you decide to do a manicure yourself, compared to going to the salon.
- Before purchasing the material, be sure to check with the seller whether it is suitable for your type of lamp. Moreover, all the time there are new options with different effects. Despite the fact that UV lamps are quite versatile in terms of materials, it is only possible to predict how the new coating will look in the end only experimentally.
- Find out in advance where to buy replacement bulbs. And also take care of the uninterrupted power, as nail dryers are quite sensitive to power surges.
There are many manufacturers on the market. A nail dryer can be bought online or directly at a professional store. Be sure to check out the reviews. The device must have a guarantee, then there will be no problems with its maintenance in case of detection of defects. Make sure that instructions in Russian are always attached to it, carefully read the rules for use and care.
It’s better not to buy hand-held devices that were already in use, because you don’t know how they were used. Internal and external surfaces are often dirty and many owners use aggressive cleaning products that are not acceptable in this case.
See how to choose a UV lamp for gel polish in the next video.
