UV or LED?

[katiilynd]

I am looking into purchasing a nail curing lamp so I can do Soak off Gel nails at home but there is so much conflicting information out there about the types of lamps that I am not sure what to buy! Do I go with a UV lamp as, from what I have read, it will cure it all? Or should I go with a LED lamp and if so what should I look out for (since there are conflicting opinions on whether all brands can be cured under LED)?

I am interested in using CND Soak off Gel, OPI GelColor, and Gelish. What is my best choice of lamp without spending an arm and a leg (I am willing to spend up to $100)?

Thank you!

 

[syncage]

Hey, I know that you have posted here on consumer queries but I still think you are not really in the right place! As professionals we would really not recommend that you attempt DIY gel polish nails at home.

I'm from the UK and these types of products aren't really available without a professional qualification and to me that makes sense as you need a basic minimum knowledge of nails anatomy and product chemistry to use these products safely and without damaging your natural nails. You should understand the difference between normal nail polish and gel nail polishes which contain acrylates.

Having said that I understand that in the USA/Canada there is much more of a market for consumer gel polish lines. Unfortunately that is not something I can really advise you on as a) as a professional, i use professional only not consumer brands and b) it's against site rules.

I would say if you are going down this route you should definitely do more research on the technology. Essentially both 'UV' lights and 'LED' lights give off UV light radiation. But LED lights give off this light in a narrower spectrum so depending on the formulation of the gel polish and the type of photo initiators it is made up of an LED type light may not work. If you search the forum there is more detailed links to scientific articles and such.

Do not experiment or go off what others say on the internet works for them as gels look + feel cured at only 60% so you can't tell if you are undercuring and long term you may potentially cause yourself an allergy. Follow the manufactorers instructions and use the light that is intended for the polish system you want. To me $100 will not get you anywhere near a quality lamp but maybe there is a smaller consumer unit that works with a particular line for this budget.

Hopefully you will find this reply useful although I appreciate you haven't really gotten the answer you wanted I expect. It should be made clear when you sign up to this website that you are entering a professional forum, so in this context a 'consumer query' is something that a client might ask their manicurist/hairdresses/beautifican.. I doubt in real life you would walk into a nail salon and start asking them how you can do your nails at home!!

My honest best advice if you are serious about having beautifully polished healthy nails is either undertake some training to get the knowledge and access to the best products or stick to using a certified salon! Hope that helps. xx