Manicure?

If you’re into gel polish, you already know the drill. For best results, you have to cure those nails under a lamp. But which lamp exactly? You have the options of the ultraviolet (UV) lamp and the LED lamp. So, which one is better when it comes to LED vs. UV nail lamp?

Well, both can cure gel polish effectively, but they work differently and deliver distinct results. For at-home use, the LED nail lamp is the preferred choice (you’ll soon understand why). 

Professional gel nail polish and even some gel strips contain what are called photoinitiators. These are substances that harden when exposed to UV light. That’s curing, or as they call it in the science world, a photoreaction. It's this reaction that gives gel polish that shiny look.

Both UV and LED nail lamps provide the necessary UV wavelength for the gel polish to cure. But one is definitely better (and safer) than the other.

What Is a UV Nail Lamp?

A UV nail lamp cures gel polish by emitting ultraviolet light that hardens the formula. These lamps use fluorescent bulbs or tubes that emit a broad spectrum of wavelengths, some of which cause polymerization (hardening) of certain substances in the polish. 

UV nail lamps are common in professional salons but also come in compact designs for home use. They’re compatible with most traditional gel polishes that require a longer curing time.

What Is an LED Nail Lamp?

An LED nail lamp cures gel polish using light-emitting diodes that produce narrow UV wavelengths. It triggers polymerization by reacting with the light-sensitive substances in the polish.

LED nail lamps are super popular nowadays, especially for home use. They’re small, lightweight, and portable.

LED vs. UV Nail Lamp: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between UV and LED nail lamps is the wavelengths they emit and the source of light. In UV lamps, you have bulbs that emit a broad spectrum, meaning they release many different wavelengths (even those that aren’t really needed). LED nail lamps use tiny diodes that emit only the wavelengths that are needed to cure the gel polish. 

Besides that, there are several other important differences: 

Curing Time

LED nail lamps work quickly. They require only about 60 seconds to fully cure gel nails. UV nail lamps, on the other hand, take longer. They can take up to 2 minutes to cure, even more in some cases, where the light may not be intense enough. 

That means, if you’re looking for a quick gel mani, an LED lamp is your best friend. It uses focused UV wavelengths that react efficiently with the polish’s photoinitiators. This results in a flawless cure in less time.

Compatible Polishes

Not all gel polishes are compatible with every lamp. Newer formulas are often designed for LED curing, while some older or professional gels work better with UV lamps. A few can cure under both.

Brands usually specify whether the gel polish requires UV or LED light. So, always check the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

At Dashing Diva, our One Gel polish and gel strips cure best under an LED lamp. The process is faster, more efficient, and gives a long-lasting shine.

Lifespan

LED lights last quite long, typically for up to 50,000 hours. That means your LED lamp can easily serve you for several years. UV nail lamps, however, have a shorter lifespan.

UV lamp bulbs typically need to be replaced after 1,000 hours or six months (whichever comes first). Some may last longer, depending on usage. Most brands include instructions on when and how to replace them.

Many users don’t realize UV bulbs dim over time. They still light up but lose curing strength, which leads to under-cured manicures. So, the bulbs need to be replaced on time; otherwise, curing takes forever.

As one Reddit user reported,

“I've had my lamp for perhaps around 2 years or so, and noticed my nails starting taking forever to cure. Even after leaving them in for like 4-5 mins in total at the end with the top coat. I didn't know that needing to replace the lamp was a thing!  It still kind of works, but the last 2 manicures I did are definitely undercured as they are shrivelling under the top coat, so I've ordered a new one.”

The takeaway is that LED bulbs rarely need replacement. They last longer, stay consistent, and save you the hassle of frequent maintenance.

LED vs UV Nail Lamp Safety

You also might have concerns about UV lamps, and rightly so, as it’s pretty well-known that direct UV rays exposure is bad for skin health. Overexposure can even cause skin cancer. It’s actually the UVB rays that are more harmful. 

UV nail lamps are generally safe because they produce UVA emissions only. Plus, the exposure duration is short. 

Researchers have even conducted a study to test its effects. In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers used UV light nail machines to cure nails for 4 and 20 minutes. They found that there was no significant negative impact at 4 minutes. However, they found some negative effects after 20 minutes of exposure. 

Since most manicures require less than 4 minutes of curing, UV nail lamps are considered safe, especially compared to tanning beds. Still, dermatologists recommend applying SPF on your hands before using one.

Now, let’s talk about LED lamps. They also emit UV wavelengths, but are even safer. That’s because they use narrower light bands with lower intensity. This helps reduce skin exposure and minimize UV risk.

UV vs. LED Nail Lamp: Which Is Better?

For gel manicures and pedicures, LED nail lamps are much better and safer than UV ones. They only provide the wavelength range you need for actual curing. They aren’t too intense and do the job pretty quickly. 

You don’t have to keep your hands under light for long and risk nail or skin damage. 

Even when you go for a professional nail service, it’s best to ask for an LED-based curing lamp. Luckily, many salons now also use an LED manicure lamp, simply because they work efficiently and save time when serving multiple clients.

What Wattage is Safe for a Gel Nail Lamp?

Most UV and LED nail lamps are 36 watts or less, which is considered strong enough to fully cure gel polish but still safe for regular use. However, professional-grade full-size UV/LED gel nail lamps can have much higher wattage, even going up to 220 watts. 

Contrary to popular opinion, wattage doesn’t have much to do with the intensity of the light. According to Nail Knowledge, the wattage of a nail lamp only tells how much electricity it draws. It also states that cheaper lamps can produce low-intensity light, which may not cure the polish properly. 

Try the Best LED Nail Lamp from Dashing Diva

Dashing Diva offers the best LED nail lamps for curing One Gel polish and other gel nail products. It takes just 60 seconds to cure those nails to perfection. 

Dashing Diva’s One Gel LED Lamp has a small footprint and is portable. It emits 8x less ultraviolet radiation (10-watt) to ensure the safety of your nails and skin. It’s specifically designed to cure our One Gel polish (including base coat and top coat). 

Its patent-pending technology also features a red laser guide, which helps you place your hand just right for the light to fall directly on your nails. Plus, the ergonomic shape ensures a comfortable, convenient experience for both manicures and pedicures.

For Dashing Diva’s GelXtend range, our GelXtend LED Lamp provides the best solution. This intelligently designed lamp has a motion sensor and a built-in timer. It switches off automatically after 60 seconds, which is all you need to cure the gel tips.

Want something even smaller? You can choose the Dashing Diva Mini LED Nail Lamp that works perfectly for our Glaze gel nail strips. This 6-watt mini lamp can easily fit in your handbag or makeup bag. The USB cable lets you connect it to any source, for example, your car or computer, to power it. 

This mini lamp is also included in our Glaze starter kits. And again, all it takes is 60 seconds, and you have pretty nails ready.

FAQs

Does UV light dry regular nail polish?

UV light doesn’t dry regular nail polish. Regular polish dries through air evaporation, not chemical curing. UV/LED lamps are only effective for gel-based polishes that require polymerization under light.

Is a nail lamp necessary to dry gel polish?

Yes, a nail lamp is necessary to dry gel polish. Gel polish requires curing under UV or LED light to harden. Without this process, the polish will remain tacky and incomplete.

Do nail salons use UV or LED light for curing?

Most nail salons use LED light for the photocuring process of gel polish because it offers faster curing times and lower skin exposure risks. Some still offer UV lamps, but LED curing units have become the standard.

What is good for skin, UV vs. LED nail lamp?

LED nail lamps are better for the skin than UV lamps. LED emits narrower wavelengths with lower exposure times, so it has little to no skin aging and cancer risk compared to broad-spectrum UV.

Which is cheaper, LED vs. UV nail light?

UV nail lights are generally cheaper than LED lamps upfront. However, LED lamps last longer and cure faster, so the extra cost is covered by their longer lifespan. 

Do Dashing Diva kits come with an LED nail light lamp?

Dashing Diva starter kits, such as the One Gel kit, the Glaze and GelXtend kits, come with a mini LED nail lamp for curing. These kits offer good value as you have everything included to do a salon-like mani at home.