How to choose and use a 36 Watt shellac lamp

How and how long to dry gel polish in a lamp?
Gel polish is a product for creating a manicure, which is distinguished by its durability and attractive appearance. When using gel polishes from good manufacturers and applying them correctly, the manicure lasts on the nails for about two weeks. The gels came out ahead in all respects. In order for the “paint” on your nails to last for a long time, you need to know how long to dry the gel polish in a 36-watt lamp. The use of conventional varnishes for manicure and pedicure of nails has long been a thing of the past due to its fragility.

Gels also have a second name - “shellacs”. An indispensable device for working with marigolds is a lamp. They are divided into 3 types:

• powered by UV rays;
• from converting electricity into light radiation – Ice machines;
• hybrid.

Before talking about how long to keep gel polish under the lamp, you need to look at the characteristics of the devices.

Indicators characterizing the operation of lamps

The first thing you should pay attention to is power. It determines how long to dry the gel polish in the lamp. UV devices produce from 9 to 54 W. The lowest power is only suitable for home use, as it takes a long time to dry (up to 6 minutes). The best option is 36 W. How many minutes does it take to dry gel polish in a 36-watt lamp? 120 seconds is enough for the coating to dry completely. 54 W devices are used only in nail salons.

Ice lamps have a power of 12-45 W. Polymerization of the coating takes only 10-30 seconds. Wave radiation (its range) in UV units allows you to dry any shellac, this is their main difference from Ice lamps. However, Ice equipment does not heat up during operation; it can be called “icy”, unlike its opponent. The performance capabilities of Ice lamps are much higher than those of UV units. If the UV device is burnt out, it can be easily replaced, but in the case of LED, restoration cannot be carried out. Ice equipment is compact in size, which cannot be said about UV lamps.

It is possible to dry the coating in half a minute using a hybrid lamp. It helps in working with gels, biogels, colored shellacs and ice materials. The device includes:

• 12 ice bulbs;
• 1 spiral lamp.

The main advantage is the short drying time. The versatility of the lamp is an undoubted advantage of the “unit”. Device power – 36 W. The diodes take on 24 W, and 12 “pull” the spiral. A regular gel polymerizes in a minute.

Which is the best lamp for shellac: comparison of LED and ultraviolet lamps

In order for you to decide which lamp is best for shellac, you should find out the features of two types of lamps: LED and ultraviolet (UV).

Features of ultraviolet lamps for nail extensions:

• Drying shellac (gel polish) : yes.
• Drying acrylic nails : yes.
• Basecoat curing time : 10 seconds.
• Curing time for shellac of the selected color and topcoat : 120 seconds.
• Automatic motion sensor : no.
• Timer function : 120 second timer. Some models have adjustable timers.
• Is it harmful to the skin : not proven. To minimize the possible risk, before drying your nails, apply sunscreen to your hands or wear special gloves (with cut fingers) to protect from ultraviolet rays.
• Lamp replacement period : every 6-12 months.
• Portability : Bulbs need to be removed from the device before transport.

We recommend: Shellac with rhinestones or creating a design for an evening manicure

Features of ice lamps for nail extensions:

• Drying shellac (gel polish) : yes.
• Drying acrylic nails : no.
• Basecoat curing time : 10 seconds.
• Curing time for shellac of the selected color and topcoat : 60 seconds.
• Automatic motion sensor : yes.
• Timer function : Adjustable timer function. Range from 30 to 300 seconds (default 180 seconds).
• Is it harmful to the skin : no.
• Lamp replacement period : every 25,000 hours. This is about 5 years of continuous work or 50 thousand drying of gel polish.
• Portability : These lamps are more convenient for travel, there is no need to remove the LEDs.

The main advantage of LED lamps is the rapid curing of shellac.
They are more durable and smaller in size and weight than UV lamps, do not heat up and are shock resistant (of course, if you are not planning to hit with a hammer). They don't get hot like UV lamps and don't overheat, so there's no danger of damaging your nails. The disadvantage of LED lamps is the inability to “process” acrylic. Decide for yourself which lamp is better for shellac, based on the purposes for which you intend to use the device.

Whichever option you choose, it will help you on your way to mastering the perfect technique for applying shellac at home and will pay for itself in no time.

How long does it take to dry gel polish?

“Gel” for nails is similar to regular varnish, the same consistency, only it tends to harden when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Gel manicure lovers give particular preference to Bluesky brand gel: it is practical, beautiful, and most importantly - inexpensive (when compared with other manufacturers). Wholesalers have a price of this gel within two hundred rubles.

Fashionistas and lovers of beautiful manicures don’t have to worry about the condition of their nails for two whole weeks, just “paint over” the nail plate with Bluesky once. But it's not that simple. The coating achieves high durability and strength only after proper application of the gel and compliance with nail plate processing technologies. This is why it matters how long you need to keep the gel polish under the lamp.

If you follow all the “principles,” depending on the growth of your nail, you can forget about redoing your manicure for 14 days. When coated with gel, the nail gains strength, and the “shoot” may crack.

The best manufacturers of nail drying lamps

With the development of the nail service industry, the range of drying lamps is becoming wider, and the devices themselves are becoming more and more productive. At the same time, today you no longer need to pay a lot of money for a good device, even if we are talking about professional drying for a salon.

Let's divide all manufacturers of manicure lamps into three groups:

• high-class professionals focused on high-status beauty salons. Basically, these are “Americans”: OPI, Gelish, CND, Harmony , etc. Their lamps for drying nails are expensive and prestigious. However, some of them only work well with their own brand of materials. And in general, they cannot compete with functional, efficient, “omnivorous” and inexpensive devices made in Russia and China.
• “Medium” lamps whose lamps are relatively inexpensive and are suitable for both home and salon use. Basically, these are domestic or Russian-Chinese brands: JessNail, RuNail, Planet Nails, Polaris, Irisk . These also include the Korean brand TNL Professional and the British brand Solomeya . Their advantages are good quality, nice design and the possibility of warranty service. Such lamps for drying nails are most often chosen by novice nail technicians and small salons.
• There are many Chinese manufacturers whose products can be purchased on Aliexpress and similar sites. They handle the drying function of gel polishes well, but they are very cheap. However, among Chinese lamps there are leading brands that break all records in popularity: SUN/Sunuv, SUNONE and Diamond . They are reliable, efficient and affordable, have wide functionality, and can be purchased both for home use and for nail salons. They can be bought not only in China, but also in Russia, with warranty service.
• Complete analogues of the most popular Chinese models can be found in Russian brands: Soline Sharms, Touching Nature, Beauty Factory , etc. Their products are also manufactured in China and are not much different in appearance from the same SUNUV. However, it is important that these brands provide a guarantee on their products, so you can purchase them without fear.

Troubles at work

When using gel polishes, some problems may arise. For example, the coating of the nail plate begins to crack and loses its aesthetic appearance or even peels off a short time after application (say, after a day). In such a situation, it is necessary to reconsider the technology of nail treatment and drying.

These signs indicate a violation of technology when covering the nail. Such cases may arise if you don’t really know which lamp to dry the gel polish with and how long to keep it on.

Varieties

When going to the store, you need to know that there are two types of drying equipment for gel polishes:

• UV
• ICE

Shellac lamp 36 Watt

UV devices are sold at an affordable price for most buyers. This is a convenient, practical equipment that allows you to dry shellac in 2-3 minutes. If you choose a more expensive model, it will definitely be equipped with a timer, which simplifies the work. The timer is initially set for a certain period of time, indicating the drying time of the base, gel polish and top coat. This option makes the job of a beginner much easier.

Ice lamp for shellac 36 Watt is considered safer and more durable. However, the cost of the device, which starts at $500, is not affordable for many. Moreover, if you do not plan to do manicure regularly, on a professional basis, there is no need to buy an LED device. Reviews from many girls claim that a 36-watt UV lamp for shellac is quite sufficient for home use.

How long does it take to dry gel polish in an ice lamp?

The most common question among the fair sex. Many people do not see any special differences in drying with UV and Ice lamps, but you need to find out how long to keep the gel polish in the lamp in each case.

The drying time is affected by the type of lamp used and the manufacturer of the gel (its quality). These factors determine the amount of time. Here, of course, we cannot do without studying the manufacturer; let’s dwell on this point in more detail and study the table below.

How long does it take to dry gel polish in a 9-watt LED lamp if the manufacturer is China? Bluesky is the cheapest of the varnishes described above; it requires a long drying time, otherwise the manicure will not last long.

Why are cheap lamps for drying shellac bad?

Inexpensive UV lamps for curing shellac have low power sources, which means they cannot produce the optimal amount of UV light needed to completely cure the gel polish.

• The thumb needs to be dried separately in a 9 W lamp. This leads to prolonged drying of the nails and, accordingly, faster wear of the lamp.
• The best choice is a 36W UV lamp, which has optimal power output. These are used in many professional beauty salons.
• Inexpensive lamps typically don't have an adjustable timer, but you need one if you want to see the difference between beautiful, flawless nails and sticky, wet, dull nails.
• Also, some budget lamps for drying shellac have a mirror surface only on the bottom of the lamp. Choose a lamp that has a reflective surface covering the inside of the lamp as well as the top and sides. This lamp ensures uniform drying of shellac for all fingers. Just remember to remove the protective film glued to the mirror surfaces of the new lamp.
• Inexpensive lamps have bulbs only at the top and no bulbs on the sides. This leads to the fact that the side surfaces of the nails and the nail on the little finger will not be completely dried.

Equipment and its characteristics

A UV lamp is used to polymerize the gel when creating a nail coating. It is also used for extensions. The time during which the gel needs to be dried depends on the quality of the equipment (its power).

How long should you keep gel polish on (minutes) in a 9-watt lamp? The total time that will be spent “under the lamp” is 6 minutes. A 9 W lamp is the cheapest device with low power, so the drying time of the coating with such a device is quite long. The option with more power will be more expensive. If you don’t plan to cover your nails with gel very often, then you don’t have to spend money on a more powerful “unit”. Or you can choose a “partner” that is a little more powerful, say, 18 W.

For manicure at home, the best option is with an 18-watt lamp; the coating “hardens” in 2 minutes.

If the manicure “device” is of high quality, then it has sufficient drying power. In the case of a power of 36 W, the base will “harden” in 1 minute, and the remaining layers will have to spend 2 minutes each. The ideal device for manicure is designed for 36 W.

Is it possible to dry gel polish in a 9-watt lamp of Chinese origin? Yes, the estimated time for drying the coating will be 60 seconds (per layer). The market also offers hybrid samples of manicure equipment that perform drying with several types of rays.

It is important to note that an LED lamp is an expensive product that is used for expensive coatings. This Ice coating is of high quality, but it also costs a lot.

If you use regular gels for manicure, then there is no need to use an Ice lamp, since drying can be done using a UV “unit”, without the high costs of purchasing an Ice model and a hybrid. Therefore, the question of how long to dry gel polish in an Ice lamp 9 watts, 36 watts immediately disappears.

Some tips

If you are left-handed, then manicure should start on the left side and vice versa. Cover the thumb first, dry it, then all the other fingers, and so on for each hand. When drying, you need to place your fingers evenly in the lamp so that the “light” falls evenly, and not twist your thumb. The entire manicure process should take you half an hour or a little more. In addition to quick application, shellac manufacturers assure that they last not up to two weeks, but even up to three without chips or cracks. To achieve this effect, you need to use components from a single manufacturer (base, top, primer).

After several manicure procedures, you need to take a break for at least a week; during this period you need to take care of the health of your nails and cuticles.

Photo of nail polish coating

Even more photos at the link: Gel polish photo.