Let’s talk nail lamps
- Angela Scott
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Why Do Nail Brands Push Their Lamps?
If you’ve ever wondered why nail brands strongly recommend (or “push”) using their specific lamps, there’s an important reason behind it—and it goes far beyond marketing.
It’s About Safety and Proper Curing
When a brand formulates gel products, they also take on the responsibility of knowing how to properly cure those products to achieve 100% polymerization. This is critical for both performance and safety.
Every gel system is designed to cure within a specific wavelength range, most commonly 365–405 nanometers. The brand’s lamp is engineered to emit those exact wavelengths, ensuring the product cures exactly as intended.
This is also why cure times matter.
Cure Times Are Not Guesswork
When you see cure times listed on product labels—such as:
Gel polish: 30 seconds
Builder gel: 60 seconds
Those times are tested and validated using the brand’s lamp. They are based on achieving full polymerization with that specific light output.
If you use a lamp that does not emit the proper wavelengths or power, the gel may:
Take longer to cure
Never fully polymerize
Feel cured on the surface but remain under-cured underneath
Not All Lamps Are Created Equal
Using a lamp outside the required wavelength range means you may never reach full polymerization, even if you extend cure times. This can lead to product breakdown, service issues, and increased health risks.
If a brand does not sell a lamp, they should be able to provide detailed specifications—including required nanometers and curing requirements—so you can ensure the lamp you’re purchasing is compatible with their system.
Photo Initiators Matter More Than You Think
Each brand carefully selects the photo initiators used in their gel formulations. These are chosen specifically to work in harmony with their UV/LED unit.
When the lamp and photo initiators are properly matched, full polymerization occurs efficiently and safely. When they are not, curing becomes inconsistent and unreliable.
The Hidden Risk of “Feeling” Cured
Here’s something many professionals don’t realize:
Gel products can feel cured at only 50% polymerization.
This false sense of curing is where problems begin. Under-cured gel can increase the risk of:
Skin sensitivity and allergic reactions
Contact dermatitis
Product lifting or breakdown
Long-term health issues for both client and technician
The Bottom Line
Understanding what you’re working with is essential. That means knowing:
Your product’s required wavelengths
Proper cure times
The compatibility of your lamp
For safety, performance, and long-term health:
Always use the manufacturer’s recommended lamp and cure times.
Your hands—and your clients—depend on it.
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