How to dry gel polish without a lamp at home? We will talk about this in detail in our article. Not all girls and women currently can take advantage of the opportunity to apply gel polish in beauty salons. In this case, it becomes necessary to take care of your nails yourself.
Gel polish, another name is shellac, is the most famous and recognizable coating today. This varnish dries using a special ultraviolet lamp. However, not everyone has it, or it is possible that it is broken, what should you do in this case? Is it possible to dry gel polish without a lamp? Yes, this can be done. How to dry gel polish without a lamp? Let's figure it out now.
Gel polishes
But first, let's look at the types of varnishes. There are a large number of them. Popular types of gel polishes:
- Non-photosensitive - dries perfectly naturally, but with one condition. It requires a rapid polymerization composition, cyanoacrylate monomer - this is a liquid gel. If you want to cover your nails with shellac at home, then it is better to use a creamy monomer. Because it is easier to apply and lasts a long time. You must first make sure that it is not affected by light. This will give an understanding of the advisability of its use.
- Photosensitive - difficult to dry at home, but still possible. And if, after all, it was purchased, then how long does it take to dry the gel polish without a lamp? From 25 to 40 minutes, while the nails should be placed under direct ultraviolet rays.
- Water - it will dry perfectly if after application you dip your fingers in cold or ice water for 20 minutes.
- Brigitte Bottier - applies well, you can dry the gel polish without a lamp.
- Biogel is a medicinal varnish that accelerates nail growth. It also prevents delamination and thickens the nail plate. You can dry gel polish without a lamp at home. It has healing properties due to the fact that it contains natural oils and plant acids.
No Light gel
The term “shellac” usually refers to high-quality light-sensitive gel polishes that are polymerized (dried) using a special UV lamp - ultraviolet or LED lamp. You can, of course, dry your nails directly under the sun without a lamp, but this is a rather lengthy process.
But there is a group of gel polishes that do not require a special lamp for polymerization. Manufacturers have produced several types of gel polishes (this includes single-phase 3 in 1 gel polishes) that can dry using other means. When choosing such a varnish, you need to look for the term “No Light gel” (insensitive to light) on the label.
Drying light insensitive coating
How to dry gel polish without a lamp? If you purchased an insensitive gel polish, you must definitely buy a monomer, activator or catalyst. When water coating is done, cold filtered water is necessary. You should prepare cuticle softening oil, nail clippers or thin scissors, and a glass nail file in advance. For this application, there are three types of catalysts, which are available in the form of an ointment, gel or spray. To dry this composition, you need to add a catalyst. Just one drop is enough. The most important thing is that the catalyst is applied equally on the plane of the nail plate, otherwise the strengthening of the gel polish will be uneven. The catalyst must be used 1-2 minutes after application.
Before applying gel polish, you first need to prepare the nail plate. To do this, you need to steam your fingers, push back and trim the cuticle. Shape the nails, file them, then buff the surface of the nails with a buff. Next, start applying shellac. It is easy to apply due to the wide brush. Carry out the procedure in the same way as when applying regular varnish. When applied once, look at the result. If there are no stains or cracks, then there is no need to apply another layer a second time.
If a non-photosensitive varnish is applied, in this case it is necessary to take and drop a drop of monomer or activator onto each nail. It is also allowed to rub creamy catalysts into the nails.
Manicure fan
Fan drying is one of the most convenient ways to dry varnish. Presented as an easy-to-use, small-sized device. It can work both from the mains and using regular batteries. There are various types of fans: compact dryers for alternate use for each hand or designed for drying two hands at the same time.
The application procedure is very simple. After applying the varnish, you need to place your hands in a dryer and turn on the air supply. The coating dries completely in just a few minutes. An important advantage of this device is its low cost. Therefore, it is worth considering purchasing it for use at home.
Don't miss the most popular article in the section: How to extend nails with gel polish. Nail extension instructions for beginners. Photo.
Water and ice
How else can you dry gel polish without a lamp? After applying it, you need to dip your fingers in ice water for a quarter of an hour. This is enough for the gel polish to completely adhere. This coating method is considered to be as harmless as possible due to its unique composition. However, you can use ice. For a quick drying effect, add ice cubes to the water, and the gel polish will dry in 10 minutes.
Cooking spray
Typically, cooking spray contains olive oil, which has qualities that help nail polish dry faster.
How to quickly dry nail polish using cooking spray:
- It is recommended to distribute the oil using a spray on freshly painted nails;
- the waiting time until the varnish is completely dry is approximately 5 minutes;
- Wash your hands well to remove any remaining oil on the skin.
This method reduces the drying time of the coating by half.
Blue lamp
A medical blue lamp, which is sometimes used during warming, can be used to dry light-sensitive gel polish. The only thing is that this will take much more time than when drying using a special method. When drying the applied first coating, you need to think about its thickness. Sometimes it may seem that the varnish is shining through. In this case, you should apply it again. In this case, it must be dried using the same method as the coating of the first gel polish. Then you should let the coating dry for 20-30 minutes. Next, lubricate the cuticle with a specific oil and rub it a little near the nail fold. Rubbing will help the natural ingredients absorb into the skin, while softening it.
Why do you need to dry under ultraviolet light? Is it necessary?
Gel polish must be dried in a lamp, unless otherwise indicated on the package, but this is necessary for:
- strong adhesion of all layers of coating to the nail plate;
- obtaining a solid colored layer, its resistance to external influences;
- securing the top.
By drying the coating in a lamp, you can achieve the longest possible period of wearing a manicure - up to 3 weeks, if you protect the gel polish from impacts and aggressive liquids.
Recommendations
Now you know how to dry gel polish without a lamp. Remember that drying time depends on the specific varnish. Before applying the coating, carefully read the instructions and familiarize yourself with the recommendations. After all, when a lamp is used, the gel polish dries faster, and without this device it takes longer than usual.
When using water-based gel polishes, use purified drinking water. However, you must add ice cubes for a quick reaction. It takes about two minutes to dry the gel polish using monomer. To simplify the process, it is allowed to apply top varnish on top, but this action will cause cracks and dullness to appear. It is worth purchasing gel polishes in specialized stores and those companies that have good recommendations; do not buy them on the market or in underground passages.
You should not use gel polishes indefinitely; you must give your nails a rest period. Do this at least once every 2 months. At this time, do not apply any coating at all, but use biogel or another restorative method.
It is recommended to wear gloves while doing housework - this is important when washing floors or dishes so that the gel polish does not crack.
Biogel dries without any activators, monomers, ice water and ultraviolet lamps. Therefore, it is easy to use at home. Those who wish to have a matte finish after drying must purchase an additional matte, non-photosensitive top varnish. It is applied after some time, when the base has dried, then you need to dry it directly.
Freezer
The use of the freezer comes in several variations. Before applying the coating, place the varnish in the freezer for 5 minutes. Due to the temperature contrast, the drying time is halved. Cold polish dries in a matter of minutes on a warm nail plate.
After completing the manicure, you can keep your hands in the freezer for a couple of minutes, this way drying your nails will not take much time.
How to do a manicure without a lamp?
Drying gel nail polish without a lamp is very easy. It is necessary to wash your hands and nails thoroughly and first apply a base strengthening coating, which will dry in 30 seconds. Then the nails need to be covered with a thin layer of gel polish. This is done in a couple of seconds, since the brush of these gel polishes is wide, so the coating is applied evenly. Dries in just three minutes, for durability it is allowed to apply one more time. The top layer – fixative (protective coating) dries in 3 minutes. An excellent manicure is ready, and it will last about 10 days.
The applied coating is erased with nail polish remover. There is no need to have special foil, additional mixtures and solutions to properly remove gel polish from nails.
Vegetable oil
To quickly dry your manicure at home, you can use any type of oil available in the kitchen. Most often this is olive or sunflower oil.
The oil is poured into a container, into which hands are lowered one by one. It is also very convenient to use a pipette for this purpose. It turns out to be more economical in oil consumption and you don’t have to completely smear your hands. One drop on each nail is enough to get the desired result.
Many manufacturers produce special fixing oils with a similar principle of action.
Reviews
How to dry gel polish without a lamp? We've already found out. What do ladies think about these methods? Girls who have tried the methods described in our article say that they really work. But still, many ladies advise using a lamp to dry gel polish. But as a last resort, you can choose one of the described methods for yourself. The easiest and most economical way, as the ladies say, is to use cold water and ice.
Powder nail system: benefits
To create a large number of color solutions, it is necessary to purchase powders of different colors, which significantly increases the cost of the procedure. That is why most craftsmen who deal with this system acquire only the most popular colors. This reduces the number of colors and designs for customers. This system is ideal for girls who love a monochromatic coating without patterns or designs.
Powder nail system, advantages:
- Using exclusively natural materials
- No heat or acids on the surface of the nail plate
- No contact with aggressive components that cause allergies
- Inability to burn the nail plate due to the coating drying in air, without the use of an ultraviolet lamp
- Good wearability, coating durability
What not to do before applying a manicure and during the drying process
Basic tips for a successful manicure and faster drying process:
- It is not recommended to apply moisturizer to your hands and nails before a manicure. If necessary, you can moisturize the skin several hours before the procedure.
- While the coating on your nails is drying, there is no need to wave your hands. In this way, it is impossible to speed up the drying process; on the contrary, the uniformity of drying can be disrupted and the coating can be deformed.
- You cannot continue working with a drying lamp if discomfort and burning sensations appear on the surface of the skin. There is a risk of injury or burns.
To quickly dry nail polish, you need to choose which method will be the most acceptable and convenient. The abundance of available tools will allow you to complete your manicure with your own hands efficiently and effectively, without involving specialists or carrying out expensive procedures.
Article design: Oleg Lozinsky
