General characteristics of the hybrid lamp
To dry various varnishes, it is necessary to select the most suitable lighting for a particular material. The combined device allows you to combine various light sources into one, which makes it possible to use it for almost any type of coating.
- Typically, the device uses a combination of any of three types of lamps (in accordance with their technical characteristics): cold fluorescent fluorescent (CCFL), light emitting diode (LED) and ultraviolet (UF).
- For example, the UF+LED marking means that this hybrid device uses one or two ultraviolet lamps and about twelve LEDs.
This combination with a total power of 36-48 watts is quite enough to quickly and efficiently fix any coating, regardless of whether it is acrylic, regular varnish or biogel.
Instructions for use
- Plug the power cord into a power outlet
- Place fingers with applied gel polish in a special compartment
- Depending on the type of gel polish, select the appropriate button with the indicated time, from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and press it. The light will turn on and the countdown will begin.
- When the light goes out, you can remove your hand from the lamp
- Repeat the procedure with the other hand
- After finishing work, turn off the device using the power button and unplug the cord from the outlet.
Principle of choosing a hybrid lamp
It is necessary to select equipment primarily for your own needs, taking into account the technological features of the devices.
- All hybrid devices introduced today by manufacturers in this industry have high power with minimal power consumption.
- Modern technologies make it possible to use several light sources with different characteristics simultaneously, and this greatly speeds up the process of fixing various coatings used in the design and extension of nail plates.
- The equipment is absolutely safe for the human body, has great functionality and versatility, as it is suitable for any type of existing coating.
The equipment is fully protected from voltage surges and is available in a wide range, which allows you to choose a device that will fit into any interior without any problems.
What is this device?
A hybrid nail lamp is a special device that allows you to dry your gel polish in minutes or even seconds. Such devices are always available in beauty salons, where they do manicures and nail extensions, but they can also be found in stores.
This means that you can freely purchase such a lamp and no longer go to the salon. However, in this case, the problem of choice arises - which hybrid lamp for nails is better? Or would it be better to choose a single lamp rather than a hybrid? This is exactly what will be discussed further.
Rules for using a hybrid lamp
Before you begin, you must carefully read the instructions included with each product. The time interval required for quick and high-quality drying is selected especially carefully, otherwise it is impossible to guarantee the desired result.
It is better to choose devices with a timer, otherwise you will have to use a stopwatch, and this is not always convenient.
A little advice: if the device fails during the warranty period, you should not repair it yourself.
It would be best to contact a specialized workshop, and for this it is necessary to select equipment with the ability to replace failed lighting and other structural elements.
How to choose the right one
The choice of a nail lamp depends on the purpose for which and how often it is intended to be used. When choosing a hybrid lamp, you should pay attention to some details:
- Power. The rate of polymerization directly depends on this indicator. At low power, the bottom layer of gel may not harden enough, and the varnish will adhere less well. Therefore, for professional use, it is better to buy a more powerful hybrid nail lamp, 12 or 18 W. A lamp that is too powerful can cause burning of nails, so it is better to give preference to medium power.
- Location of light bulbs. It is better if they are located on different sides, this promotes uniform polymerization
- The presence of a reflective coating around the luminous elements. It scatters light and helps ensure a uniform polymerization process.
- Timer buttons. They make it much easier to control the time that should be allowed for complete polymerization of materials. There may be two or three timer buttons on the case
- Size. Compact models are suitable for home use; for a nail salon it is better to buy comfortable lamps for nails of a larger size.
- Removable bottom cover. It makes it possible to easily change the luminous elements, and also increases functionality and allows you to use a pedicure lamp
- Pull-out shelf. Helps you quickly and accurately insert your hand inside without touching the body with your nails.
Popular models
The industry offers a fairly large selection of such devices. Before purchasing any product, you need to decide where it will be used: at home or in the salon. Here are a few samples that are most popular among consumers.
The Biutee device is quite powerful, equipped with a built-in timer: you can set a minute interval, as well as half a minute and ten seconds. The product can be used for 50,000 hours before the warranty period expires.
The design of the device includes a removable bottom, and the device itself is very compact and has a variety of external options.
- The Diamond Quick device has medium power and is equipped not only with a timer and motion sensor, but also with a built-in reflector. The bottom can be removed.
- The stylish device is compact in size and quite affordable in price.
- The power of Professional Nail equipment is quite high (for such devices). Treatment begins as soon as the hands enter the control zone, thanks to a motion sensor, and a timer operating at intervals of ten seconds, half a minute and a minute allows you to set a reasonable time. There is a protective movable screen, the bottom can be removed.
- A special feature of the Kangtuo device is the use of a cold glow fluorescent lamp. Like all other equipment, the device is equipped with all the functions necessary for processing. As for the cost, this equipment belongs to budget models.
- The advantages of the SUN device, in addition to the standard set, include the ability to regulate power, as well as remember the time set previously. The device has a handle that is convenient for moving the product.
All of the listed devices have a body made of combined materials, as well as compact dimensions. In addition, they are all powered from a 220 volt household network and produce a power not exceeding 50 watts. The service life declared by the manufacturer in all cases is about 50,000 hours.
A common drawback of the equipment is the difficulty of varying degrees when replacing failed light sources (sometimes it is simply impossible to do this yourself, only in a workshop), and the presence on some models of a power cord that is too short.
The above examples show only a small part of the entire range of equipment produced today and intended for manicure.
Still, it seems most reasonable to choose a model whose technical characteristics allow you to operate the equipment with maximum comfort and efficiency.
It should be convenient for both the client and the manicurist/pedicurist. The cost of the device in this case is not the most important. Although, if you carefully study all the characteristics and reviews, you can choose a device that will optimally combine price and quality.
What are they needed for
Today, to perform fashionable nail designs, varnishes made on the basis of photopolymers are usually used. They have the ability to harden under the influence of light radiation of a certain spectrum. Therefore, special nail lamps are now widely used in nail salons. They are devices with plastic cases of various shapes with lamps located inside and an open compartment for the hand located under them. Fingers with nail polish applied are placed inside and left for 0.5-2 minutes. The varnish fixed in this way stays securely on the nails for more than 3 weeks.
If you are in doubt whether you need a hybrid nail lamp, reviews left on the websites of specialized stores will help you make your choice. Professional master designers have long appreciated all the advantages of hybrids. Therefore, in almost all nail salons you can see such devices. Many women are passionate about nail art and prefer to do their own manicure at home using a nail lamp at home. Reviews from regular users indicate that hybrids are more practical because they significantly save time on doing work; most popular gel polishes under them harden in 30 seconds. The craftsmen also appreciated the long-term operation of such lamps without replacing the luminous elements.
Photos of the best hybrid lamp models
What is the difference between an LED lamp and a UV lamp for gel manicure: comparison, differences, difference
Now in nail design workshops you can find both UV and LED lamps for drying. Basically, professional craftsmen have two types of lamps. UV is very convenient if you apply gel polish to a pedicure. The width of a small and portable LED lamp simply does not fit your foot. But these devices have a number of inconveniences.
Disadvantages of UV lamps:
- It is necessary to change light sources every 3-6 months, even if they have not burned out
- They get hot when used for a long time
- Some coatings take a long time to dry
Disadvantages of LED lamps:
- Higher price
- Not all gel polishes dry
- High-density gels dry poorly or not at all, for example during extensions
Therefore, if you work as a craftsman, purchase two types of lamps. If you cover your nails with gel polish at home, then purchase an LED lamp. It dries various coatings very quickly. But there are still varnishes that LED lamps do not work with. This can only be determined experimentally. For gel nail extensions, LED lamps are not suitable due to their low power and limited wavelength range.
LED lamp for drying gel polish
