Which UV lamp should you use for nail extensions?

Using the right UV lamp is much more important than you might think when it comes to both safety and durability when extending nails.

When it comes to nail extensions, it's easy to focus on learning how to create beautiful designs, a correct apex, and other basic parts. But an often overlooked aspect is the actual curing of the nails. This is where the UV lamp plays a crucial role. The quality of the lamp you use can have a huge impact on both the results of the nail extensions and the long-term health of the nails.

Below we list some reasons why it is so important to use the right UV lamp for nail extensions:

Compatibility with the products
Use a lamp that is compatible with the brand you are working with.
Each brand has its own lamps that are designed and tested with the products that the brand sells. Therefore, it is important to use the lamp that we as each brand recommend to ensure that the lamp cures the products correctly.

Hardening
The UV lamp is used to cure the gel or gel nails, which means that it converts the liquid or sticky consistency into a hard and durable surface. If the UV lamp does not provide enough light energy, or if the light is not evenly distributed, some parts of the nail may be under-cured. This leads to the nails becoming weaker, the material may "wrinkle" or become bubbly, the nails are more prone to cracking/lifting and can wear out faster. A high-quality UV lamp ensures that the nails cure evenly and properly, making them stronger and more durable over time.

Gentler on nails and skin
Low-quality UV lamps may require longer curing times, which means that both nails and the surrounding skin are exposed to more UV light. Even if the exposure is limited, excessive UV exposure can increase the risk of skin damage, including premature aging and, in the worst case, skin diseases. A good UV lamp has a balanced effect that reduces the time your hands need to be exposed to UV light, which reduces potential health risks. To be on the safe side, you should always use UV mittens or nitrile gloves where you have cut off the fingertips so that only the nails are exposed to the light.

Prevents allergic reactions and skin irritations
Under-cured gel can cause allergic reactions or skin irritations. This is because certain chemicals in the uncured gel can penetrate the skin or nail plate, which can cause irritation, allergy or hypersensitivity. By using a high-quality UV lamp that ensures complete curing, these risks can be minimized. In some cases, the customer does not even notice that the nails have been under-cured, but the customer is then unaware that the under-cured gel can carry potential risks that can lead to allergies over time.

Shortens treatment time
No one wants to sit in the salon any longer than necessary, so a good UV lamp can significantly shorten the curing time. Some modern lamps use LED technology, which provides faster curing compared to older models that only use UV light. This means you can cure each layer in less time, without compromising on the quality of your nails.

Even result
A cheap or old UV lamp can give uneven results, where some nails or parts of the nail are not cured as well as others. This can result in uneven surfaces, peeling, wrinkled, flaky or bubbly results after a short time. By investing in a good UV lamp you ensure that every nail is cured correctly, which gives a better looking, safer and longer lasting result.

Replace the lamp regularly
It is important to replace the UV/LED lamp often to ensure that it provides maximum strength during curing. In daily use, we usually recommend replacing the lamp once a year to be on the safe side. If it is not used every day, it should still be replaced after 1.5 years at the latest. This applies to all types of lamps regardless of quality and should not be ignored as it is such an important safety measure.

Conclusion
Choosing the right UV lamp is not just about getting beautiful nails, but also about ensuring durability, safety and efficiency. A high-quality UV lamp not only does the job better, but also protects the health of your customers and your products. Invest in a good UV lamp to create strong, beautiful nails and to build a good reputation as a professional nail technician.