The 5 best lamps for home manicures
The field of nail service is actively developing and updated with new technologies. These include a lamp for manicure. There are several types of lamps, each with different characteristics.
What is a lamp for manicure
Manicure lamp is a tool that helps to significantly reduce the drying time of the nail coating and increase its stability.
Tools are used to dry and polymerize gel lacquers. The process takes only a minute, and sometimes even 30 seconds. At the same time, the result exceeds all expectations.
Now you can find lamps of different levels and for any budget. It should be borne in mind that a good-quality tool according to the instructions should work without complaint for about 3-5 years.
Types of lamps for manicure
Lamps for manicure are divided into groups depending on the technology. There are UV, LED, CCFL, as well as hybrid devices that combine several technological solutions.
UV lamps
UV lamps emit specific light in the UV range, under the influence of which the gel polish quickly hardens on the nails. This type of lamp is the most accessible. The radiating element is designed for 3-4 months, after which it is replaced.
The device itself has a plastic body, inside there are cartridges to connect the emitters. Each element produces a power of 9 watts. There are models with two or more emitters.
So that the rays are not scattered, the plane has a mirror coating. Thus, all the radiation is used as much as possible. Additionally, there can be a retractable bottom, which is easy to clean from debris and dust.
Ultraviolet lamps polymerize all types of lacquers. They are reliable and consume little power. Drying takes about 1-2 minutes, which is slightly longer than other types of equipment.
The main disadvantage of ultraviolet lamps is the harmful effect on human eyes, nails and skin. Sometimes there are allergic reactions.
Other disadvantages are the low resource and heating of the base. Replace burned out elements should be immediately, otherwise the performance is markedly reduced. Poorly dried varnish can deform on the nail.
Installations burn out because of intensive use or because of frequent switching on and off.
LED lights
Less common are LED lamps. They are more effective than ultraviolet models, but the high cost discourages potential buyers.
Conductors of this type are environmentally friendly and do not contain mercury, which is safer. They are also economical and heat less. All energy is fully converted into visible radiation, which reduces the drying time of one layer to 30 seconds.
LED machines can handle a small range of UV rays and are not suitable for particularly dense coatings. It is best to use only lacquers that are labeled "LED".
LEDs last much longer than UV lamps and retain their characteristics throughout their lifetime.
If LEDs do fail, you need to buy a new lamp. This is a significant cost.
CCFL-lamps
CCFL units are a modified and improved version of the standard UV lamp. Polymerization occurs through the glow of fluorescent elements with a cold cathode. Inside the bulbs there is an inert gas and a small amount of mercury. It is not easy to find such a modification on sale.
CCFL elements have no filament, so they do not generate heat and do not overheat the design elements. Energy losses are reduced, reducing electricity costs.
Radiation is suitable for all types of paints without limitations, even for dense coatings of high strength.
The disadvantage can be considered a long curing time. It takes 1-2 minutes to fully treat the gel surface.
Hybrid Lamps
The most advanced and functional - hybrid lamps for manicures, which managed to combine the advantages of different sources of radiation.
With hybrid models you can dry any type of coating, because 2 types of lamps provide a significant expansion of the scope of application. There is no heat during intensive use, and drying a single layer takes no more than one minute. The most advanced models can even dry the varnish in only 10 seconds.
The most versatile and popular models are those that combine LED technology with traditional ultraviolet.
How to choose a lamp for manicure
When choosing a lamp for manicure, first of all pay attention to the power of the device. It determines the intensity of radiation and efficiency. Now there are models ranging from 9 to 90 watts.
The average value for the home appears to be 48 watts, which ensures drying of even very dense coatings. For the salon, choose a more powerful device, about 72 watts.
For stationary use, size is not important. For portable ones, weight and compactness matter.
Recommended for viewing: What should be the ideal curing lamp
In addition, let's consider the functionality of the equipment:
- Timer. A useful option that allows you to automatically turn off the radiation.
- Display. It displays the timer readings, which allows you to control the process of polymerization.
- Power adjustment. Sometimes the ultraviolet light can cause unpleasant sensations on the skin. In such a situation, it is possible to reduce the power of radiation.
- Motion sensor. Instead of pressing the start button, the lamp will automatically turn on when you bring your hands.
- Cooling system. Presented by the fan, installed in the case. Keeps the temperature at the right level.
Some models of manicure lamps do not have a back wall. On the one hand it is convenient for your hands, but the ultraviolet radiation can get on the outside objects, polymerizing them. If there is a bottle of gel polish nearby, it can thicken.
It is best to choose options with a mirrored inner surface, they hold the radiation inside and distribute it evenly over the working area.
Sometimes there are "blind spots" in the process, where the ultraviolet radiation does not have the right strength. This can cause some inconvenience.
Polymerization time in models can vary from 30 seconds to 2 minutes for a single layer. Of course, the equipment with a shorter drying time is more effective.
Popular lamps for manicure
Below are the best lamps for manicure, which have managed to get recognition from users. Let's consider their features in order to choose an option for specific tasks.
For home manicure and novice masters
TNL PROFESSIONAL LED-UV Mood 36W
Pros:
- High power;
- Compact size;
- Durability even with intensive use;
- Versatility, which means that it can work with any varnish.
Cons:
- Motion sensors only work well on one side.
Hybrid model with UV and LED light. Designed to cure gels, gel lacquers, permanent lacquers, shellacs, biogels and other materials. The design uses the latest double-source technology to cover a wider range of ultraviolet rays. Due to this, the polymerization time is reduced by 50%. There is a timer that can be set for 30, 60 or 90 seconds depending on the varnish and mode selected.
Diamond 36 W CCFL+LED with sensor
Pros:
- Suitable for home or salon;
- Life span of more than 30,000 hours;
- Environmental cleanliness and rejection of mercury-containing elements;
- Virtually no heating.
Cons:
- Limited functionality.
Efficient and relatively inexpensive device that allows you to dry gel polish in 10 seconds. The specific figure will depend on the brand of coating, but it will in any case be much higher than that of ultraviolet models. LED-lamps are perfectly safe for humans and the environment. The specificity of the technology is the absence of heating of the structure.
Sunuv Sun9X Plus 18LED UV 36W
Pros:
- Beautiful look;
- Dries the varnish quickly;
- Relatively small size;
- Wide UV spectrum.
Cons:
- Touch controls fail quickly.
Model in an impact-resistant plastic case that can withstand a fall from a height of 1 m. The model is equipped with a new generation technology Smart 2.0, which reduces the drying time in half. UV and LED LEDs are suitable for processing dense and thick materials, as well as for complex extensions.
PLANET NAILS UV 36W Tunnel Econom 36W
Pros:
- Laconic design;
- Affordability of purchase;
- Large internal volume;
- Handy timer for 2 minutes.
Cons:
- Large size.
Tabletop ultraviolet lamp with mirror reflectors across the inside surface. Accelerated gel polymerization time. The model is suitable for home and salon.
Solomeya Mini Sun 6W LED Lamp
Pros:
- Availability in stores;
- Compactness, good for carrying;
- Ease of use;
- Minimal controls.
Cons:
- Low life span.
A pocket-sized model that's easy to take on the road. Equipped with LED-emitters, acting without heating of the equipment. Power supply is realized through USB cable connected to the battery charger or computer. Additionally, you can check money bills and disinfect items with ultraviolet light.
The best lamps for professional manicure
SUNUV LED-UV 5 48 W
Pros:
- Design;
- Compactness;
- High quality workmanship;
- Handles all varnishes.
Cons:
- Short power cord, requiring extension cords.
This is a versatile professional-grade device with a built-in Low Heat Mode feature. It helps to gradually increase the power of radiation, reducing unpleasant feelings on the skin. The device has an option of turning it on with your hands.
TNL PROFESSIONAL LED-UV L48 48W
Pros:
- Unusual design;
- A resource of about 50 000 hours;
- Fast drying of all varnishes.
Cons:
- Fragile plastic, sensitive to scratches and chips.
LED-UV precision manicure equipment. Quick polymerization of lacquers. Built-in timer for 10, 30 and 60 seconds.
SUNONE LED-UV 48 W
Pros:
- Convenient arrangement of diodes;
- Availability in any store;
- Bottom easily removable for cleaning.
Cons:
- Low life span.
Appliance for drying all types of coatings. Has 30 LEDs inside for full coverage. Magnetic bottom allows for pedicures. The equipment is safe for skin and nails. High power ensures even and fast drying of any varnish.
