Nails - LED Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A need for speed
products faster, having therefore a shorter waiting time of curing.”
The reduced curing time is arguably one of the main reasons why LED lamps are taking favour over UV lamps, not just down to convenience, but from a business perspective too.
Hennessy Hair & Beauty Supplies explain: “Most gel can cure under an LED lamp in 30 seconds as opposed to one minute, two minutes and three minutes curing time in a UV lamp.”
Of course, this is extremely appealing if you’re working in a busy salon with a big client base. “The faster the curing time, the faster turnover in clients, and the more revenue you generate for your salon. LED lamps are more expensive but well worth the investment if you are a busy nail tech and under pressure for time,” they add.
Although LED lamps are generally more expensive to buy, it can be argued that the difference can be made back through the faster turnover in clients.
In addition to this, LED lamps are also considered more efficient, as the bulbs often never need to be changed.
“Normally, an LED bulb can last for about 50,000 hours. UV bulbs instead must be changed every two to six months, depending on how often [the lamp] is used,” note The Beauty School.
An LED lamp requires much less energy to work than a UV lamp, making it completely eco-friendly and better for those utility bills!
There is often talk about the safety of nail curing lamps, as people make the assumption that they’re harmful for the skin, however there is no solid evidence to prove this.
The Beauty School says: “It is important to know that these lamps are not harmful for the skin, since they emit light closer to the UV-A spectrum [as opposed to] UV-B which is the one responsible for skin related problems.”
Choosing the right one…
When choosing the right lamp, you will need to consider a number of factors, including practicality, budget, and how often your lamp will be used; if your salon predominantly offers nail services then you may wish to consider an LED lamp, however, if you aren’t booking gel polish treatments in on a regular basis and wish to keep your budget to a minimum, then UV may be the route for you.
“In general LED lamps are slightly smaller than traditional UV lamps,” comment The Edge Nails. “Making them a good choice for mobile use.”
You will also need to ensure that the lamp you choose is compatible with your products, as some gel polishes are UV curable only.
“Always use the lamp recommended by the brand of product you are using,” explains Team CND™ International Ambassador, Fee Wallace.
So, if you are loyal to a particular brand in your salon, see if they also sell a curing lamp. If they don’t, most brands will be able to recommend the best one to use alongside your products.
As lamps can all differ from one another, you will need to be aware of exactly how your lamp works, from curing time, to materials and maintenance.
The practicality values and the advanced technology behind LED lamps means they are winning the hearts of many nail technicians, but there are so many choices out there which can make choosing the right lamp for you and your clients can be a little overwhelming.
LED lamps help the gel manicure process, providing practical chip free polish for weeks. Image ©
istock.com/MoustacheGirl
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Let’s take a look at what’s available for nail technicians to buy at the moment…
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