Manicure using gel polish has become popular relatively recently. Gel varnish was able to press as a classic coating, and acrylic. This trend is firmly established in the beauty industry. This is explained primarily by practical benefits: on the nails such a coating lasts for two or even three weeks, even if the hands are not protected by special gloves when doing household chores. At the same time, the possibilities of gel polish are wider and allow you to create entire design work, adding personality to each manicure. However, additional equipment is required to secure this product, namely a lamp for drying. Our guide will help determine its choice, talking about all the varieties of such devices, their strengths and weaknesses.
Content:
The best manufacturers of gel polish lamps - which company to choose
The Russian market provides the broadest selection of gel polish lamps. There are quite budget options that are produced by domestic and Asian companies.
There are very good average models of devices made by Russian-Chinese brands. This product has good quality, nice design and affordable price. Most often, these products are bought by novice masters.
Also presented professional products mainly from American brands. The lamps produced by them are in great demand all over the world.
Here is a list of some of the most sought-after brands:
- OPI;
- Harmony;
- Solomeya;
- CND;
- Gelish.
Experts do not recommend purchasing lamps for drying from the so-called nameless manufacturers, although the prices for these products are very attractive.
Most often, such devices are made primitively, without any innovations, have a small set of features, do not withstand frequent use and quickly fail. It is worth buying similar copies only for the most superficial acquaintance.
If you are in search of a suitable model from a proven brand, then go to our rated best gel polish lamps.
The principle of operation and the device of the lamp for gel polish
Gel polish lamp is a device that causes a product that is applied to nails to harden (polymerize) with the help of special light sources. In a short time, the waves of the desired length turn the helium coating into a solid. Thus, the masters are able to create masterpieces of nail art, which will decorate the nails for several weeks.
Visually, the lamp is a block made of durable plastic. In size and shape, it can be anything, for example, small, containing only one finger, or suitable for drying all five. Products in the form of a semicircle are very convenient, since they allow all the nails on one hand to polymerize at once, without resorting to the scheme, when four fingers are dried first and only two at the end.
Models are:
1. Cast;
2. Collapsible.
Often, there is a light reflecting material inside, which improves focusing and enhances impact. Shutdown control is performed using either a manual switch or an automatic timer, and lamps with both options are also found.
All devices need with time to replace the lamp, the resource is exhausted. The wear of each type of device is different. If the time does not change the light bulb, then drying will take more and more time.
LED-models have a service life of up to 50 thousand.hours, but after this time you have to buy a new device, since the light bulbs can not be replaced.
Types of lamps for gel polish
UV lamps
Ultraviolet lamps we know from physiotherapy rooms. The peculiarity is that they are capable of polymerizing all types of gel varnishes, without exception. Even those marked “LED” will dry, albeit a bit slower.
Masters who do not want to limit themselves to the choice of materials for the work, such devices are best suited. It is also worth noting that with these devices, the replacement of used light bulbs will not be expensive, so even their frequent updates will have little effect on the wallet.
The dimensions of the UV lamps are slightly larger than those of the LED models, however, the difference is not so noticeable. Fragile fluorescent bulbs need to be treated with care, they are also sensitive to variations in line voltage and ambient temperature.
Advantages:
- universal;
- affordable cost.
Disadvantages:
- dry nails for a long time;
- heat up;
- may cause burns;
- have fragile light bulbs;
- release harmful substances;
- adversely affect vision.
LED lamps
This group of devices has LEDs of a certain light spectrum. Serve light bulbs without replacement significantly longer than the UV model. Gel polish in them is also polymerized much faster, the time is on average from a few seconds to a minute.
LED devices are one of the most environmentally friendly: during their work harmful substances are not released into the environment, energy is saved, and vision remains healthy. Note that such products are fully recycled. LED-lamps do not heat up, which means that they cannot cause a client's skin burn, which is very important.
LED lamps after the end of life must be completely replaced, which is somewhat expensive, given their high cost. At the same time, they work in a narrow emission spectrum, therefore, only helium products that are specially designed for LED devices and are marked accordingly will be dried.
Advantages:
- durable;
- environmentally friendly;
- polymerize the product in a short time;
- have small weight and dimensions.
Disadvantages:
- are expensive;
- bulbs can not be replaced, you need to purchase a new device;
- Only gel varnishes labeled “LED” can be used.
CCFL lamps
Such devices are often called cold glow lamps. They, like the devices of the previous group, do not have the ability to heat up, so you can not be afraid of the occurrence of burns at customers.
CCFL-lamps are comparable with UV-models in their universality, they work with gels of completely different solidification range. But the minus is still present - it is a long polymerization.
On service life of a lamp of a cold glow surpass ultra-violet analogs. This balances the considerable costs of their acquisition. Emitted light does not affect the vision. Lamps are environmentally friendly.
Advantages:
- universal;
- have a long service life;
- do not heat up;
- do not emit mercury vapors;
- do not spoil the vision;
- Suitable for repeated use throughout the day.
Disadvantages:
- slow polymerization;
- high price.
Hybrid
Hybrid lamps combine all the properties of CCFL and LED lamps. Such a combination can improve the drying of helium products of the widest spectrum.
Varnishes affect both one and the other rays, reducing the overall polymerization time. They also retain all the advantages in the form of durability, lack of heating, stroboscopic effect and other things. Differ in compact size and ease.
Advantages:
- have a long service life;
- universal;
- gel nail polish is quickly dried;
- environmentally friendly;
- harmless;
- do not heat up
Disadvantages:
- are among the most expensive models.
Gel polish lamp selection options
Power
The strength and intensity of the heating elements located in the lamps depend on this parameter. The greater the power of the device, the higher the rate of polymerization of the helium coating.However, we should not forget that powerful manicure lamps consume more electricity, which ultimately affects financial spending.
Before you buy a high-power device, you should consider the feasibility and prefer the average, especially if you recently started working in this area.
Shape, size and weight
The shape of the lamp must be ergonomic to ensure comfortable work of the master and the convenience of the client.
The size of the device is chosen individually: it can be devices for drying each finger individually or the entire palm at a time. Experts still advise to stop the choice on a more compact size, especially those who work at home, leaving bulky lamps for stationary use of beauty salons.
Models of small weight and size are convenient to transport and store. For craftsmen who often go on business trips or provide services in the place indicated by the client, it is best to buy lightweight items that do not weigh heavily on hand luggage.
Package and design
The complete set of lamps for drying gel varnish can be very different. Everything will depend on how much you are willing to spend on the purchase.
Professional devices usually have a convenient removable bottom, reflectors, a fan, a timer function and many other options that can greatly facilitate the work of the master and make the procedure for performing manicure more comfortable for the client.
The design of the models can be very diverse. The choice of colors, drawings, additional decorations is huge. Each master will find one of the options presented.
Try to choose a lamp for the style of your workplace, even if you are not an employee of a beauty salon and provide home services. The client will be much more pleasant to be with the master, where he will receive not only a good manicure, but also aesthetic pleasure.
Which gel polish lamp to choose
1. UV lamps are suitable for beginners who are just learning the art of nail art.
2. LED-lamps, like CCFL-models, should be preferred by masters who already have a developed client base.
3. The hybrid lamp is suitable for those who are looking for a combination of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and LED radiation.
4. If sustainability is important to you, then choose devices with LED and CCFL lamps.
5. Powerful manicure machines with gel polish should be purchased by masters who want to reduce the time to work with the client.
6. For the proper organization of the workplace, choose only ergonomic lamps.
7. For most craftsmen, it is best to purchase compact models of gel polish lamps.
8. If you are looking for a model in the salon, then you can safely choose a stationary large lamp with the options you need.
9. To maintain mobility, you should take light weight models.
10. Lamps with a large set of options will reduce the work time and simplify the process, so you should not save on it.
How much does a gel nail lamp cost?
1. Professional lamps have the highest price in the market among analogs. CCFL and LED-models will cost 20-50 thousand rubles. Ultraviolet will come a little cheaper - about 10 thousand. P. The most expensive will be hybrid models - from 40 thousand rubles.
2. Instruments of Chinese and domestic production cost significantly less. UV-lamps can be purchased for 3-5 thousand rubles, and CCFL and LED for 5-7 thousand rubles.
3. The lowest cost models are from little-known small manufacturers. They are simple and have limited options. You can buy such devices starting from 600 and ending with 2 thousand rubles.
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