Olya Likhacheva

Beauty is like precious stone: the simpler it is, the more precious :)

Content

In the world modern technologies new devices for personal care are constantly emerging. This affected the sphere of manicure and pedicure. Today, you can not only take full care of your nails, but also cover them with special varnishes that last much longer than the usual coating, but in order to dry it, you must use a special lamp to dry the coating.

How to choose a nail dryer lamp

A manicure lamp is a small box with a control panel and UV or LED bulbs. Additionally, the device is equipped with a fan, a timer, but the essence of the device does not change from this - the result of use should be a well-dried varnish.

There are devices of different body sizes, shapes, colors, so it will not be difficult to choose it to match the interior color. In addition, it is worth noting professional and household lamps, for two hands at once (which significantly saves drying time) or only for one. Professional lamps are often more powerful than those made for home use, but they also cost significantly more.

The main difference among such devices is the lamps, which are built into the box itself. They are of two types: UV and LED. Both options dry nails perfectly after coating, but there is a difference between them: price, material, size, power, additional functions. Read more about each of them below.

Shellac UV Lamp

A UV nail curing lamp is a more affordable option for those looking to enjoy a great home-made manicure. The power of this device can be different: 9W, 18W, 36W and 54W. This indicator directly affects the duration of the drying itself, that is, the greater the value and number of bulbs (one - 9W), the faster the process of drying the varnish itself. The cost of the device itself depends on this.

Today, low-power devices are not very popular, but the compactness and price do their job: girls choose inexpensive devices for home use and the result does not differ from the use of more powerful lamps. In beauty salons, devices with a power of 36 or 54 watts are used, so drying of nails takes 3-4 minutes at most.

The main advantages of such a device:

• price;
• a large selection of shapes, colors;
• versatility.

UV nail lamp has its drawbacks:

• shelf life;
• it is not advisable to break UV lamps, as they emit mercury vapors;
• some customers report a burning sensation while drying the varnish due to the powerful infrared radiation.

Led lamp for manicure

This option is the highest step, because it has not yet been invented better. The impact of LED bulbs is more powerful and completely painless, in addition, much less energy is spent. In just 30-40 seconds, the gel polish layer will dry 100% and will delight you with its shine and smoothness for 2-3 weeks. It is worth listing the many advantages of LED lamps for gel polish:

• instant drying of nails;
• high power: gel polish polymerization occurs in a matter of seconds;
• LEDs are more difficult to break, but even if this happened, then there can be no question of any mercury;
• LEDs do not lose their power, so the shelf life is unlimited.

Such a device has some disadvantages, but they are insignificant:

• the cost is much higher than the UV analogue;
• not all coatings can be dried with this device, so you have to carefully choose varnishes;
• impossibility of processing acrylic coating.

How to choose a shellac lamp

If you like to do manicure and apply a gel coating (shellac) to your nails, then you can choose a lamp from both options. Both the one and the other will perfectly cope with their task. You only need to build on the cost, compactness, frequency of use. So, a UV lamp will cost you 2 or even 3 times cheaper than an LED one, however, you will have to change bulbs more often, while LED devices do not require this at all (except for the breakdown of individual elements).

What is the difference between a UV lamp and an ice lamp

We offer you a visual table, which indicates the presence of the main functions of the UV and LED lamps:

	UV curing lamp	LED nail lamp
Acrylic coating
Drying time
Replacing the lamp	Every six months (with regular use)	Once every 5 years (as needed)
Security	Slight burning sensation	100% safe
Transportation	The need to pull out the lamps	No additional action required

How much does an ultraviolet nail lamp cost

The cost of a UV nail curing lamp will depend on the availability of additional features as well as the manufacturer. The easiest option for drying shellac you can purchase for little money - from 1,000 rubles. This cheap option is ideal for those who prefer to get their nails done at home. It is advisable to choose a well-known manufacturer so that later there will be no problems with the purchase of spare parts. You can buy the device on the Internet or in a specialized store.

As for LED lamps, then you have to shell out a tidy sum. The approximate cost is from 2,000 rubles. The more additional functions, the more expensive they are, but the price justifies itself: you get a 100% safe device that will help you work wonders on your nails. Professional models are even more expensive - from 4,000 rubles. This option is suitable for those who work in a beauty salon.

Svetlana Markova

Beauty is like a precious stone: the simpler it is, the more precious!

Content

Modern lamps for the polymerization of decorative coatings fulfill their task very quickly. The waiting time was reduced from two minutes to 30-60 seconds. A number of models of dryers are presented on the market, which have become in demand and popular among home craftsmen and in salons.

UV Nail Dryer

UV radiation is produced by fluorescent lamps. Dryers of this type have a power range of 9-54 W. The higher the indicator, the faster the gel polish will polymerize. Drying takes 2-3 minutes on average. Most popular model:

Name	Beurer MPE58 (updated version of the Beurer MPE38).
Specifications	UV emitter type: UV-9W-L 365nm (4 pcs), rated power - 40W. Shutdown time - 90 s, 120 s, continuous mode. It is powered from a 220-240 V network. Dimensions - 220x210x100 mm, weight - 1.63 kg. Equipped with a fan. The inner surface is mirrored. 2 year warranty.
	Easy to clean, has powerful ventilation, which speeds up the drying time of the varnish, the surface is insensitive to chemicals.
	Noisy dear.

A similar nail dryer is available from the Harizma brand. It is intended for professional use. Model Description:

LED lamps

This type of dryer uses diodes that emit UV waves as a light source. The advantage of the devices is a long service life (about 5 years), low power consumption, fast polymerisation of the coating. Minus - not all materials freeze under the rays of LEDs. Popular model:

For home use, it is not necessary to buy a powerful gel polish dryer. Such a miniature device also copes with its tasks:

Hybrid CCFL / LED

Combination type nail dryer is more practical. Individual LED lamps are very effective, but they do not make all types of coatings hard. The manufacturer solved this problem by integrating CCFL lamps - fluorescent ones - into the devices. They emit a broad spectrum of rays that polymerize almost all types of varnishes. Popular model:

Name	Professional Nail 48 W CCFL + LED white.
Specifications	The device is equipped with one CCFL lamp (12 W) and 15 diodes (36 W). Rated power - 48 W, timer - 10, 30, 60 s. Service life - 50,000 hours. Size - 180x220x90 mm, weight - 1.3 kg. Works from the network. There is a fan, the inner surface is reflective. The warranty is 6 months.
	Ergonomic, dries quickly and evenly artificial nails resistant to power surges. The upper insert is rubberized, the bottom is removable with magnets.
	A fluorescent light bulb needs to be replaced every 6-12 months, regardless of whether it is on or off. The technician needs to wear glasses to reduce eye strain.

A nail polish dryer can be inexpensive and of high quality. The following model confirms this:

UV / LED

These are also hybrid dryers, but they combine fluorescent and LED lamps. Devices are slightly inferior to CCFL / LED devices in terms of service life and polymerization rate. Bestseller in category:

Name	Sunuv Sun5 Plus.
Specifications	The dryer is equipped with 36 LEDs and a UV lamp. Power - 48 W, the indicator can be reduced to 24 W (two modes of operation). Timer - 10, 30, 60 s, low thermal mode - 99 s. The dryer has a countdown display, an on / off sensor is built into it. Service life - more than 50,000 hours.
	Quickly dries shellac (5-10 s) and gel (30-60 s), covers a wide range of UV radiation. Can be used for two hands. The device is safe, comfortable and stylish.
	Not found.

A powerful and affordable nail polish dryer is offered by the domestic brand Nova in cooperation with the Chinese manufacturer Sun. Description of the device:

Video

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Women who pay attention to their appearance strive to be impeccable to their fingertips. It is expensive to get a manicure in the salon, so many people perform the procedure at home. Required materials to cover can be ordered from the online store. The main thing is to buy a reliable and convenient apparatus for the polymerization of varnish.

Types of lamps for manicure

More recently, spray or oil drying was used to fix the varnish. Now there are special devices for these purposes. They help to quickly dry the nail polish to get beautiful manicure... There are several types of devices that are convenient to use at home. They differ in their design, power and price.

What devices are there for fixing manicure, and which one is better? Popular are:

• Ultraviolet. Equipped with luminescent elements, it is characterized by low power consumption, low price. Serves up to 10 thousand hours, convenient for working at home. Disadvantages - frequent replacement of elements is required, special disposal, because they contain mercury vapors.
• Gas CCFL. Powered by the glow of the gas. Action time up to 80 thousand hours. The energy-saving device does not harm the skin and eyes, but it has a high price tag.

There are devices that can dry the varnish faster, they do not heat up, but they are more expensive. These include:

• LED LED lamp. Heating element - LEDs. The devices are safe, do not contain harmful substances... They work 100 thousand hours. They are distinguished by a high price. Cannot be used for hard acrylic varnishes.
• Hybrid vehicles. CCFL and LED bulbs work in them simultaneously. With their help, any types of varnishes are dried. Durable, save electrical energy.

UV Nail Lamp

When choosing, it is important to understand how the UV lamp differs from the LED lamp. Due to their low price, devices with luminescent elements are the most popular. They have a wattage from 9W to 54W, so they are suitable for use at home, nail salons... Of the shortcomings, it can be noted that over time, power is lost, their replacement is required about once every six months. Strong heating occurs during operation. But there are pluses:

• affordable price;
• wide choose models;
• disinfecting effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin.

9 watt

This 9W UV nail polish dryer is lightweight and small in size. It is convenient to carry, it is inexpensive. This dryer is popular with those who do manicure at home. There is only one fluorescent element in the device, so it takes longer for the varnish to dry. The peculiarity of the dryer is that only 4 fingers can be held in it at a time.

36 watt

The 36W home nail dryer has 4 fluorescent elements. The dryer has a special timer to control the polymerization time. Due to the size of the device, it is possible to perform the procedure on both hands at once, to do a pedicure. It is used for nail extension, shellac manicure, gel polish in nail salons and at home. It is very popular because it is of high quality and reliable at an affordable price.

Ice lamp for gel polish

The new technology, which accelerates the polymerization process several times, involves the use of LEDs. Modern LED devices are equipped with a timer, can have a fan, touch control. Even if one LED deteriorates, it will not affect the quality of the manicure. The devices have the following advantages:

• compact, there are dryers for 1 finger;
• long term of work;
• do not overheat;
• economical;
• replacement of elements is not required;
• do not harm varnish and skin;
• safe.

How to choose a shellac lamp

Which device should you choose if you want to do your manicure at home? The company CND, which produces shellac, recommends its own drying apparatus, they are ordered on the official website. There is an opportunity to purchase devices in special salons or online stores. When choosing a lamp for shellac, you need to consider:

• Power. The higher it is, the faster the polymerization process takes place.
• The presence of a timer. It makes work easier - basic drying is only 10 seconds, it is inconvenient to use a simple stopwatch.
• The built-in fan shortens the curing time.

If you need to purchase a shellac dryer, listen to these tips:

• When choosing an inexpensive device, buy quality devices from trusted brands.
• It is desirable to have a mirror surface inside the device. This helps to carry out deep, high-quality polymerization.
• The device must have a pull-out bottom. In this case, it is convenient to clean.

The price of lamps for drying nails at home

Comparative analysis can help you estimate how much a drying lamp costs gel nails in Moscow.

	Lamp type	Power
Jess Nail (JN2000)

Do you prefer to do your own manicure, but do not like to wait until the nail polish is completely dry? In this case, a lamp for drying nails at home will become an indispensable assistant. Our article will help you decide on the choice and understand what are the differences between the main types of lamps.

Lamps for drying nails at home: the main types

Today, nail drying lamps are popular not only in beauty salons, but also in home use... The choice of such tools is so wide and varied that it can be difficult for an ordinary user to figure out all the nuances on their own.

So, manufacturers offer portable and table lamps, powered from the mains and batteries, allowing you to dry one and two hands at the same time. In addition, all lamps differ in wattage, special settings and timer availability, which further complicates the selection process.

If we omit all the small details, then lamps for drying nails can be conditionally divided into only 2 types:

• ultraviolet;
• LED.

You can clearly understand the main differences between the two options. a brief description of lamps presented in the table.

Specifications	UV lamps	LED lamp
Price	More affordable
Approximate drying time
Efficiency	Use more energy	Use less energy and are environmentally friendly
Lamp life	Lamps require periodic replacement	Bulbs do not need to be replaced
Types of nail coatings	Effectively dry any gel polish coatings	Only varnishes specially developed for LED lamps are polished

It should be noted right away that any lamp is not intended for drying ordinary nail polish. Of course, theoretically, this procedure can be done, but this will require additional costs for a special ultraviolet coating.

How to Choose a UV Nail Drying Lamp?

The first thing to look for when choosing a nail dryer lamp is whether the device meets your needs. It is not necessary to run to the store and buy a very expensive device just because the power is higher there or there is a timer. The choice of a lamp should be approached more thoroughly and rely on several factors at the same time. Let's take a look at them.

What's your budget?

Decide how much money you are willing to spend on a nail dryer because the pricing policy for each lamp is different. Basically, the cost of lamps ranges from $ 20 to $ 150. But if you consider that every woman does a manicure with gel polish about 2 times a month, then the cost of even the most expensive lamp can pay off within 1-2 years.

What kind of nail polishes are you going to use?

The main factor to consider when choosing a nail dryer is what kind of varnish the lamp can dry. UV lamps work with all coatings, including shellac. But LED devices are designed for drying special varnish, most often made in Poland.

In addition, many manufacturers produce varnishes for nail design, the active ingredients of which work best at a certain power level and under the influence of a point of ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, it sometimes makes sense to buy a nail drying lamp of the same brand as the varnish.

Drying time for gel coat

Each lamp has its own characteristics, and one of them is power. You have probably already noticed that there are 9, 18, 36 and 54 watts of varnish drying devices. It is the power that affects how long your fingers will be inside the device. Typically only 30 seconds are sufficient for high wattage lamps.

Dimensions (edit)

When thinking about how to choose a lamp for curing gel polish, think about its size. All devices are divided into the following categories:

• for 4 nails, where the thumb will need to be dried separately;
• for one hand;
• for manicure and pedicure, when the lamp has a removable bottom;
• simultaneously for both arms and legs.

Large lamps are much more convenient in the sense that they can significantly reduce the time for painting nails.

Additional features

Many lamps are also equipped with nice additional features. These include:

• timer;
• sound signal about the end of drying;
• fan;
• mirror surface;
• Motion Sensor;
• the presence of a distributor for fingers.

However, additional features should not be decisive when choosing a lamp.

For applying shellac at home, we have a UV (ultraviolet) lamp with simple fluorescent bulbs. Therefore, it is not necessary to buy a ready-made LED UV lamp, but it is curious what will come of it. at a first approximation, only this was found on the Internet:

The main part of my lamp are UV LEDs ordered from aliexpress.


In appearance and size, they are not much different from ordinary 1-3W bead-type LEDs, unlike LEDs for lighting, we can clearly see the crystal under the transparent cap.

The indicated characteristics of the LED on the seller's page can be trusted, but unfortunately I do not have drivers with a nominal current of 700mA, so I used those that were at hand.

To check the work of the process, I used a 3x3W driver (I do not describe which one, since it was used for the test) and UV LEDs soldered on the heat sink:


The characteristics of UV LEDs declared by the seller:

Emitted Color: UV / Ultra-Violet
Luminous Intensity: 6-10LM
Luminous flux angle: 120 degrees
DC Voltage Forward (VF): DC 3.2V ~ 3.6V
Continuous Forward Current (IF): 700mA
Wavelength: 395nm ~ 400nm

- Shenzhen OT-LED Technology Co., Ltd

I would not like to write nonsense, so I will leave the found and unverified information on the necessary accurate data on the wavelength for the polarization of ultraviolet shellac with me, and I will issue the conclusion only after thorough testing.

The "circuit" assembled on the knee looked like this:

... Within a few seconds I got a completely cured varnish. This encouraged me to continue the test.

It was decided to create a prototype or prototype (whatever you want) of an LED UV LED lamp, sorry for the "tuftalogy")))

To cool and remove excess heat, I used the metal profiles previously mentioned in the article ():

.
Attention! This profile is not sufficient for cooling permanently on LEDs, therefore their use is due only to short-term operation. The time until heating to 60 degrees and cooling to room temperature will be found empirically in the article on testing a UV lamp (in development).

A waterproof unsoldered box is used as a case. The refinement of this box is not very big, I only had to level the bottom by placing a fiberboard, gluing it on the top side with double-sided tape for a layer of foil (reflector).


From the front wide part, cut a large hole under the arm.


Since this is a test sample, not the final version, the moment of incidence of light from the side is not taken into account, for uniform polarization of all nails, but as you can see in the photo:


And of course, let's not forget about the power supply of our lamp. As I said above, I use the available 9x3W as a driver, ready-made heatsinks soldered with LEDs are connected in series. Unfortunately, that's all. In continuation, we will test the operation of the lamp, as well as the reliability and wear time of shellac after the polarization of this lamp.

The first photos of the assembled lamp and the result of the application. 10 days later:

Your face reminds me of Paris, and I just want to go.

- Positive of the day)))

Continued testing, the second 2 weeks of wearing in the article:.

While purchased a factory UV lamp for professional manicure collecting dust on the shelf, I decided to improve the collected do-it-yourself ultraviolet nail lamp. For seed ...