Lamp for manicure: how to choose and use?

Today, beautiful nail designs have become affordable for 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, and also learn how to use it correctly.

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

A lamp for drying varnish is a fairly simple device. It consists of elements such as a housing with special built-in lamps, as well as buttons for control. On sale there are both professional and home versions of such devices. They also vary in size and function. So, some masters prefer models equipped with a fan, a mirror surface, a pull-out shelf or other useful trifles.

Lamps are built into the inside of the housing and are either fluorescent or LED. This parameter determines 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 unit is due not only to this fact.Consider what is still good such equipment for 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. They are also widespread and can be found in many stores.
• The UV lamp dries all existing varieties of gel polish seamlessly. The only exceptions are those on which the LED is indicated.
• This technique is offered in a wide range. A huge number of lamps are presented to the choice of consumers, differing in their characteristics, sizes, shape, power and manufacturer.
• UV lamp - a great solution for both the salon and the home. Each buyer will be able to choose for himself the best option that meets all his requirements.
• Using such equipment is easy and simple. A novice can handle this without any problems.

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

Their main advantages:

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

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

• with this technique, the nail polish on ladies' nails dries out in the shortest possible time, and it doesn’t take much time to manicure;
• these lamps can boast a long service life, they do not have to often be replaced with new ones;
• The combined technique painlessly dries almost any coating on the nail plates.

As you can see, each lamp modification has its own strengths. Of course, a lot depends on the quality of the acquired equipment, it must be of good assembly. It is advisable to give preference to branded copies - they usually differ in remarkable quality and a 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 negative qualities. Of course, it’s never done without the latter. Cons, like pluses, depend on the type of lamp selected. UV variants are characterized by the following disadvantages.

• They can not boast of durability, in many situations they burn out or lose their original power, which is why drying the nails becomes useless. It is advisable to replace the bulbs in the UV model every six months (based on the frequency of operation).
• 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 varnish.
• With such a lamp you need to be careful. If it breaks, it can vaporize mercury vapors that are harmful to health.

As for the equally popular LED devices, here you can also note a few drawbacks.

• Such devices are more expensive than UV lamps, so many young ladies refuse to buy them, choosing more affordable devices.
• When working with an LED lamp, use specialized nail coatings. You will need to look for compounds with the corresponding mark. This suggests that these devices are not universal, and are not suitable for all varnishes.

Functional hybrid models, which are gaining popularity today, are also not without drawbacks.

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

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

UV or UV lamps were among the first to appear on the market. That is why they are so popular among many masters - both professional and home. Such specimens are presented in a huge assortment, and vary in many respects. For example, customers have the opportunity to purchase an original lamp with a creative design. The sizes of the devices also vary, as well as the final cost.

Today, UV lamps for drying are available, 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 determined by 2 minutes or turned off manually. As for the more expensive devices, they usually have additions in the form of timers for 1 minute or 30 seconds.

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

In such devices, the bulbs have to be changed after about 5-10 thousand hours. Of course, the life of the bulbs in many respects depends on how and how often the existing equipment is operated. When using such a lamp, it usually takes about 2 minutes to dry the gel polish. It takes at least 3 minutes to finish.

The second most popular are modern LED lamps for drying marigolds. These models 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 of various companies are dried, as well as shellac fashionable in our time.

LED lamps are for the most part represented by large and powerful instances. Some options have very sensitive sensors. In such models, the glow is activated automatically, as soon as you put your hand in the inside of the device, which is very convenient.

Not so long ago, small LED lamps of modest power of 6 watts began to be produced. These models are cheaper than standard ones, and it’s easier to transport them. Experienced craftsmen argue that such lamps are ideal for long trips or trips to customers' homes. Also on sale, you can meet LED drying lamps the size of a finger or special light bulbs.

About 100 thousand hours can operate such models of lamps. Drying coatings takes no more than 10-30 seconds. Of course, we must not forget that the gel you have chosen should be suitable for drying under such conditions. Making nails with 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, this will not affect the other diodes.

Not so long ago, functional lamps for drying nails appeared on sale. In them, fluorescent bulbs are combined with a cold cathode. Such devices are used recently, but they are chosen by many experienced craftsmen.

The long life of such models is explained by the presence of tubes in which the gas creates the necessary glow. The specified unit can easily last about 80 thousand hours without replacing the lamps.CCFL models almost do not generate heat during their operation. There are also special CCFL & LED models. These are hybrids in which LED and fluorescent lighting are combined. Such functional and practical units allow you to quickly dry all types of nail coatings. In this case, the process takes about 30-60 seconds.

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

• Dimensions of the drying chamber. Using the lamp should be convenient. Decide in advance what size option you want to buy. In stores, there are both very small devices and larger units in which you can place two hands at once. The latter, of course, simplify the work and reduce the time spent on manicure.
• Type of lamp. All existing lamp types are described above. Experienced craftsmen advise giving preference to universal devices that will not cause burning sensation on the hands, and will allow the varnish to dry as quickly as possible.
• Producing country. The equipment, which was manufactured in Asian countries, will always have a lower cost, but its quality at the same time 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 features. Do not rush to buy a lamp with a bunch of options that you will not use. You will only overpay for such a technique, but it will not become more useful to you.
• Body material. Modern dryers for gels and shellac are made of metal and plastic. The latter are cheaper and more common. Metal devices will cost more, but they also last longer.
• Power. Always pay attention to this parameter of the machine you select. It is the capacity of the dryer that will determine its effectiveness and cost.

As mentioned earlier, it is better to buy a branded lamp for drying female nails. Mostly branded models are of brilliant quality. They do not have to constantly be sent for repair or quickly replaced with a new lamp. We’ll get to know more closely the high-quality products of several of the most well-known manufacturers, offering customers a choice of drying lamps made to all standards.

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

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

The cost of lamps from OPI varies. You can buy a very affordable product (for example, a lamp in the “mini” format for 440 rubles), as well as expensive equipment of large sizes, suitable for professional use.

This world famous brand produces good lamps, which can also assist the master in the design of marigolds. In this case, we are talking about a technique that provides good lighting in space and in the working area.

The most relevant are the following lamps, which many nail technicians respond positively to.

• 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 female nails.
• TERTIAL. Another practical model of directional light, which is perfect for working with nails.It has an adjustable tripod and ceiling with which you can easily change the direction of light.
• RIGGADR. Such a lamp will not only create optimal ambient light for the master, but also allow you to charge the phone from it, because it has a USB port.
• SVIRVEL. The directional lighting of this model is perfect for working with nails. In this lamp, both the tripod and the ceiling are adjustable.

Many modern outlets offer girls not only practical and efficient in work, but also very beautiful hybrid Crystal or Diamond lamps. Most of them have a body 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 metal devices are made, 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 (mounted on magnets or special clothespins), as well as an automatic sensor.

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

Modern dryers from Yoko are very popular because they are inexpensive. On sale you can find not only fairly simple options, but also instances with a timer. As for the design of the equipment, it is basically 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 lamp for drying varnish. It is very important for her to use it correctly so that it lasts as long as possible and does not cause problems during its operation. It should be noted that in the application of such a technique is simple and understandable. It is unlikely that you will encounter any difficulties.

Proceed as follows:

• First of all, you need to plug the equipment into a power outlet;
• after that it will be possible to press the start button and let the unit warm up a little, usually it takes several minutes;
• Now set the timer;
• place the nails under the lamp so that the plates themselves are located directly under it;

• repeat this procedure with the remaining nails (if drying one finger at a time);
• When finished, click on the device’s power off button, and then unplug it from the network.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in using this technique at home. Properly dry each nail polish.

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 their job well, but they dry the gel longer. In addition, if the equipment was bought a long time ago and has been used for a certain time, its power can be reduced, which makes drying even slower.

For the first time, an ordinary UV model will be quite enough. With this technique you can gain the necessary experience. Switching to more serious options is better after a while.

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

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

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

Many fashionistas are wondering if the lamps for drying nails harm the health.

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

If you work in the cabin, then a simple medium-power lamp will not be enough for you. In such conditions, it is necessary to operate a high-power apparatus. With it, you will not spend much 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, a compact model will be the best solution.

Do not fade into the background the appearance of the selected lamp.

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

After drying, the nails may suddenly begin to bubble. Typically, this indicates improper storage of materials, poorly processed surface of the nails, individual intolerance or not the highest quality of the coatings used.

Lamps for drying various gel varnishes or shellac are used in our time by many fashionistas. The main positive qualities of such a technique they note:

• a large assortment;
• drying speed (especially when it comes to LED options);
• the presence of additional options, for example, a timer;
• maximum usability;
• the opportunity to purchase not only expensive, but also a cheap model for home use;
• ease of use;
• lack of harmful effects;
• Attractive design (applies to many modern models).

The most common disadvantages of lamp dryers that have been noticed by fashionistas and craftsmen are:

• the difficulty of selecting 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 gaps for hands.

See how to choose the right lamp for manicure in the video below.