LED Lamp or UV Lamp: Which One Should You Choose for Your Nails?

Key takeaways:

• Lamps catalyse gel polish and enable polymerisation.
• The polish transforms into a solid, glossy, long-lasting film.
• Essential for at-home or salon gel manicures.

How does it work?

If you’re a fan of Green Flash™ semi-permanent nail polish or artificial nail applications, you’ve probably already used drying lamps, at home or in a nail salon. Whether LED or UV, lamps emit ultraviolet rays that trigger a chemical process called “polymerisation”. Under the effect of these rays, the molecules in the nail polish bond together to form a strong, resistant film called a “polymer network”. Thanks to this technique, gels and semi-permanent nail polishes get that glossy, gel-like finish we love. They offer a flawless manicure that can withstand knocks and chips far longer than classic nail polish! In short, it all seems beneficial at first glance… so how do you tell the difference?

 

UV lamp vs LED lamp: differences and benefits

The 2 types of lamps differ mainly in how they work:

• Traditional UV lamps, known as incandescent lamps, use fluorescent tubes to emit ultraviolet rays. They are compatible with most UV gels and semi-permanent nail polishes because they cover a wide wavelength range. But they are very energy-intensive, give off more heat and require longer drying times.

• LED lamps (Light Emitting Diodes) are more recent and work thanks to light-emitting diodes that emit specific UV rays and are known as cool lamps. Their key advantage: faster curing time with low energy consumption and reduced heat emission. However, some LED lamps do not cure all types of gels, as their wavelength range is more limited.

The other factor that differentiates curing lamps is the wavelength range at which they emit light. Ultraviolet rays are generally emitted at wavelengths between 100 and 400 nanometres (nm). But not all gels cure at the same wavelength. Some types of gel polish cure at around 350 nm, while others, such as Green Flash™ LED gel polish, for example, need a higher wavelength for optimal curing. LED lamps used at Manucurist therefore emit between 370 nm and 400 nm. It is precisely this LED technology that cures Green Flash™ gel polish in just a few minutes, for a glossy, long-lasting manicure.

In summary:

• UV : compatible with almost all gels, longer curing time, generates more heat, high energy consumption.
• LED : fast drying, low heat, reduced energy consumption, limited wavelengths.
• Choose the lamp according to gel type and time available.

Are UV rays harmful to your health?

We have known for a long time that sun exposure carries risks, due to the UV rays it emits. Frequent and prolonged exposure to UV rays, particularly UVA rays, can lead to sunburn, premature ageing, allergies and, in the most extreme cases, skin cancer.

UV and LED lamps used for manicures also emit UVA rays, but they differ from those of the sun and are more locally diffused during manicure sessions. Following a laboratory study on cells exposed to high doses using very powerful lamps (48W and above), the Academy of Medicine recommends adopting precautionary measures in the event of frequent semi-permanent polish applications over several years or during medical treatment involving photosensitising medication. At the very least, it is recommended to apply sunscreen before every manicure session.

Rest assured, with Manucurist, you can continue your manicures without worrying about damaging your nails. First, because the power of our LED lamps does not exceed 36W, with an exposure time ranging from 5 to 9 minutes per session. Second, because by choosing Green Flash™, you are opting for a non-toxic, clean & safe gel polish. Its innovative formula is vegan and HEMA-free, meaning free from methacrylate monomers. These monomers are the molecules that, under UV light, form the desired plastic film. However, these monomers are sensitising molecules that can enter the body and cause allergic or inflammatory reactions. In the Green Flash™ formula, methacrylate monomers have been replaced by copolymers, which have the same polymerisation properties under an LED lamp but without unwanted effects.
By adopting a healthy, long-lasting manicure routine that avoids overly frequent gel polish applications and prioritises quality products, you preserve the health of your natural nails and ensure beautiful manicures to come.

In summary:

• Localised UVA exposure → sunscreen recommended for frequent applications.
• Manucurist LED lamps: 36W max, express drying, safe.
• Choose according to your needs : Slim 24W (portable, full manicure in 30 min), Premium 36W (portable, ultra-fast, full manicure in 20 min).
• Work exclusively with Green Flash™ polishes.

How do you choose the ideal lamp for your manicure?

Slim or Premium lamp, it’s all about watts

At Manucurist, we offer 2 LED lamp models for an easy, quick manicure at home, at the office or on holiday:

• The Slim lamp (24W): foldable and lightweight, it slips into a handbag or suitcase, ready to go whenever you need it. With this model, your manicure takes around 30 minutes in total.

• The Premium lamp (36W): larger and more powerful, it is also foldable and easy to carry. Ideal for express manicure fans, it lets you complete your gel polish application in 20 minutes flat, all included.

 

Our tips for using your Manucurist LED lamp properly

☝️ Green Flash™ only: our LED lamps are designed to be used exclusively with products from the Green Flash™ range (Base Coat, colour and Top Coat). They emit UV light at a wavelength between 370 nm and 400 nm, specially suited to our Green Flash™ formulas for perfect curing. They do not work with Green™ polishes, which air-dry without a lamp, or with gel polishes from other brands whose formulas cure at different wavelengths. Not sure whether to choose classic polish or gel polish? Discover the benefits of each option in our complete guide.

🥪 The 4-coat rule: for a like-a-pro manicure, apply four successive coats, starting with a coat of vitamin-enriched Base Coat, followed by two coats of Green Flash™ colour, and finish with a coat of Top Coat. One key step not to overlook: discover all the benefits of the Top Coat in our dedicated article here. Each coat must be cured under an LED lamp before applying the next one, following the recommended curing times.

🕰️ Follow curing times: each applied coat must therefore be placed under the LED lamp for a specific duration, which varies depending on the product and the lamp's power.

• With a 24W Slim lamp, allow 2 minutes of drying for Base Coat, 2 minutes for each coat of nail polish and 3 minutes for Top Coat.

• With a Premium 36W lamp, allow 1 minute of curing for the Base Coat, 1 minute for each colour coat and 2 minutes for the Top Coat.

😎 For frequent manicures: apply sunscreen to your hands before each session.

 

To get you started, Manucurist has thought of everything with its Starter Kit, which brings together in a pretty pouch the LED lamp of your choice, our gentle remover, Base Coat and Top Coat, removal clips and three Green Flash™ shades of your choice. For purists, the Addict Pouch also includes Green Oil, Effective Cuticle Softener, a steel cuticle pusher, the Remover Corrector Pen, the Prep File and a Natural Nail File.

To combine the LED lamp with the application essentials, you can choose a Green Flash™ semi-permanent nail polish kit, designed for a complete at-home routine.

 

You now have everything you need to choose and safely use your drying lamp. All that’s left is to choose the shade for your next manicure from the stunning Green Flash™ LED nail polish palette." And to get the most out of your LED lamp manicure, follow our tips for a top-notch application. We can’t wait to see the result 🤩