fromone tech to another
is the gel set?
And so the real question is how do we know if the Gel has set? The truth is we don’t, and the problem is that when you remove the induction layer the very top layer will always be set, as it’s the bit nearest to the bulbs, leading you into a false sense of security that the rest of it is OK. This could lead to overexposure of uncured Gel, potential allergy problems, premature problems with the nails not lasting to their full potential and truthfully all manner of other problems. In the meantime you are blaming the product and it could be that your lamp was the culprit all of the time.
But, I hear you say, it’s 36-watt and that’s what the instructions said, cure in a 36-watt lamp. This has unfortunately become the generic term for the larger lamp units and only relates to the amount of electric that they are consuming and nothing else. Just because a lamp says 36-watt I am afraid that it doesn’t mean that it will cure your Gel. It’s the UV output that you need to be conscience of.
It is also true that Gel with pigment in it is very difficult to cure accurately and so we have to be even more sure that we are using the correct lamps.
bulb replacement habits
One last thing for you to consider when working with Gels and lamps is how long you leave it before you change your bulbs. It is only too common for techs to get a little lazy with their bulb replacement habits. I heard of a salon recently who were complaining that there topcoat Gel was taking 15 minutes to cure each hand (this should be about three minutes depending on the manufacturer) and when asked when they had last changed their bulbs they said never. This means the bulbs were at least 10 years old.
I think some techs make the assumption that as long they are still glowing blue that they are OK, but the truth is they will always glow blue. UV bulbs lose their strength from the minute that you start using them and so it is a necessity that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on when to change the bulbs.
The rule of thumb is that if you are busy tech then you should change your bulbs every four months, if you are medium busy, then you should change them every six to eight months and if you aren’t using them too much then you should change them annually. Consider putting a note in your diary so that you change them without having to think or worry about it, that way you’ll always know that you are on top of things and not causing any harm to your clients’ nails through not curing the Gel adequately.
I truly hope this article has helped you to realise that it’s not the manufacturers trying to squeeze some more money out of you but a necessity for you to have the right equipment for you to be able to do your jobs properly and continue to have successful businesses.
Lisa Dunlop has 15 years’ experience as a Nail Tech,
and is National Training Manager for Cuccio Europe. For more information telephone 0115 9753656 quoting Guild News.
88 GUILD NEWS
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