Gel Nail Lamps: How to Choose a Compatible Lamp

Gel nail lamps are what turn liquid gel polish into a hard, glossy coating. Gel does not dry in the air. It hardens, or cures, only when light of the right wavelength reaches the ingredients in it that start the reaction. That is why the most important point when buying a lamp is whether it matches the gel you use.

How curing works

Gel polish contains photoinitiators. When they absorb light of a particular wavelength, they trigger the gel to harden. If the lamp does not give out that wavelength strongly enough, or the gel layer is too thick, the gel stays soft underneath, even when the surface looks set.

Types of lamp

All of these lamps emit ultraviolet A light. "LED" describes the kind of bulb, not the absence of UV.

Matching the lamp to the gel

1. Check the gel bottle or the brand's website. It states whether the gel cures under LED, UV or both, and for how long.
2. Buying a lamp from the same brand as your gel is the most reliable option, because the two have been tested together.
3. If you mix brands, choose a dual-wavelength lamp and follow the gel's recommended time. Results are not guaranteed.

Features to compare

• Power (watts). Higher wattage does not automatically mean better curing. The wavelength and the arrangement of the LEDs matter as much. Many home lamps are between 24 and 54 watts.
• LED placement. LEDs on the sides and near the thumb position give more even curing.
• Size. A lamp should fit a whole hand, including the thumb, without it touching the top. A removable base helps for pedicures.
• Timers. Preset times of 30, 60 and 90 or 120 seconds, and an automatic sensor, are convenient.
• Low-heat mode. Some gels become hot as they cure. A gradual mode reduces the "heat spike".
• Reflective interior. It spreads the light.
• Safety marking and a proper power adapter for your country.

Curing well at home

1. Apply thin coats. Thick gel blocks the light.
2. Keep gel off the skin. Clean the edges before curing.
3. Cure each layer for the full time given by the gel's maker.
4. Cure the thumbs separately if they sit at an angle in the lamp.
5. Wipe off the sticky layer after the top coat, if the product requires it.

Signs of under-curing

• Gel wrinkles, or peels off in a sheet.
• The surface stays tacky after wiping.
• Color dents under light pressure.
• Lifting within a day or two.

Under-cured gel is not only a cosmetic problem. Uncured ingredients in contact with the skin are a known cause of allergy to acrylates, which can be lifelong and can also affect future dental or medical treatments that use similar materials.

Protecting your skin

Dermatologists advise protecting your hands from the lamp, because ultraviolet exposure adds up over time.

• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to your hands 15 minutes beforehand, keeping it off the nails, or
• Wear fingerless gloves made with UV-protective fabric.
• Do not use the lamp for longer than directed.

See Sunscreen for Hands: How to Add It to Your Routine. If you take medicines that make your skin sensitive to light, ask your doctor before using a nail lamp.

Care of the lamp

• Unplug it and wipe the inside with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Remove any gel spills before they cure.
• Do not use acetone on the plastic.
• Replace tubes in older UV lamps as the maker recommends. Weak tubes cure poorly.
• Store it dry. See How to Clean and Store Nail Tools.

Is a home gel kit right for you?

Home gel can work well if you follow the system carefully. A salon may be the better choice if you are unsure about matching products, or if you have had skin reactions before. Whatever you choose, remove gel properly. See How to Remove Nail Polish at Home. For the wider comparison with regular polish, see Gel Manicure vs Regular Polish: Key Differences, and for nail recovery, Nail Care After Removing Acrylic or Gel Extensions.

Related on ArniSun

• Gel Manicure vs Regular Polish: Key Differences
• How to Remove Nail Polish at Home
• Sunscreen for Hands: How to Add It to Your Routine
• Nail Care After Removing Acrylic or Gel Extensions
• How to Clean and Store Nail Tools

Sources and further reading

• American Academy of Dermatology: Gel manicures: Tips for healthy nails
• US Food and Drug Administration: Nail care products
• American Academy of Dermatology: Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage