How Many Watts Should a Gel Nail Lamp Be? A Guide for Salons

Summary

While every professional journey has its share of mistakes, purchasing the wrong equipment doesn’t need to be one of them. Making sure your salon has the best nail lamps for your business can make a huge difference in the quality of your services and customer satisfaction – both of which are essential for success. This article will break down the differences between UV vs LED nail lamps, plus, how many watts a gel nail lamp should be and how it can affect the final result, as well as choosing the ideal wattage for your salon.

What’s the Difference Between an LED Lamp and a UV Nail Lamp?

The main difference between UV vs LED nail lamps is their light source, which can affect your total curing times. Here, we outline the ways LED and UV nail lamps differ, and what you can expect from each. 

LED lamp

Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps contain narrow wavelengths of UV light, resulting in faster gel polish cure times. LEDs also consume less energy and last longer than regular bulbs, which can increase your salon efficiency. 

UV lamp

Ultraviolet (UV) lamps contain broad wavelengths of UV light, which can slow down gel polish cure times. Although they’re compatible with most gel polishes, UV nail lamps suck up more energy, need frequent replacement, and can hamper how quickly you’re able to service clients. 

What Does Wattage Mean in Nail Lamps?

Wattage is a measure of electrical power, which can indicate just how strong your nail lamp is. Higher wattage uses more energy, which means faster curing times, but this also comes with potential drawbacks. More wattage generates more heat, which may increase the risk of damage to the manicure or even injury to the client. Depending on how often you use your nail lamps, the higher wattage can also lead to an increase in your energy bills, causing serious disruptions to your carefully planned budget. 

[CTA_MODULE]

How to Choose the Right Wattage for Your Nail Lamps

Choosing the right wattage isn’t so straightforward. While the best wattage for UV nail lamps is between 36w and 48w, you can (sometimes) get away with lower wattage with LED nail lamps. However, there are several factors that go into your final choice, which we break down below. 

Consider the type of gel polish 

Not all gel polishes are created equal. In fact, some gel polish brands may have their own wattage requirements or specific lamp that works best with their formulas. If this is the case, you’ll be quite limited in your nail lamp options (though it might make your choice easier if you’re a brand loyalist). 

Determine whether you want UV or LEDs

Despite their high energy use and longer curing times, UV nail lamps are generally more affordable and will work with nearly any gel polish. LED lamps, on the other hand, are not always compatible with every gel polish brand. In some cases, your LED nail lamp may have no effect at all! 

Evaluate the number of lamp beads

More light beads means faster curing times, but it isn’t just about quantity – their arrangement matters too. A better bead arrangement can lead to more even light distribution, delivering the perfect cure every time. 

Establish your desired curing time 

UV nail lamps take about two minutes to cure gel polish, whereas LED nail lamps can accomplish this in less than 30 seconds. If you’re a particularly busy salon, those few seconds can make all the difference in your day’s productivity, which can make investing in an LED nail lamp worth the cost. 

Consider heat sensitivity

Higher wattage nail lamps can lead to a sensation known as heat spikes, which can be uncomfortable for sensitive clients, and even lead to nail damage or infections. Be sure to assess the risk of heat spikes from your equipment, and encourage clients to speak up if they experience any adverse effects. 

[CTA_MODULE]

What Are the Effects of Using the Wrong Wattage?

Using the wrong nail lamp wattage can have serious consequences, and the last thing you want is for your clients to lose trust in your abilities. Here, we detail a few ways choosing the wrong wattage for your nail lamps can affect your efficiency. 

Uneven cures

Too low or inconsistent wattage will result in undercured nails, which are too soft and easily damageable. Poor wattage may also prevent the nail from curing at all, which means several hours of wasted time and product (and a guaranteed unhappy client). 

Heat spikes

Higher wattage equals higher heat, which can help your gel polishes cure faster. Excessive heat, however, can overcure the gel and damage the nail and skin, causing discomfort or injury to your clients. Overcuring can also lead to cracking or onycholysis, a condition where the nail lifts (or separates) from the nail bed. Nail lifting may allow dirt and debris to enter beneath the nail, raising the risk of infection or fungus. 

Wrinkled gel

High wattage, particularly against thicker gel coats, can cause the polish to wrinkle, shrink, or crack. While the way you apply the gel will also contribute to its final look, the right wattage will help facilitate a more successful process. 

Boost Your Salon’s Efficiency with GlossGenius

Choosing the right wattage for your nail lamps is essential to curating a satisfying client experience. The right wattage will not only optimize your salon services, but help protect your clients’ nails – and your business’s reputation. Always thoroughly research equipment choices before purchasing to ensure you’re picking the machines most compatible with what you need (which will also help you save time and money – and who doesn’t love that?). 

GlossGenius is a powerful platform that can streamline every aspect of your daily business operations. Scheduling & Calendar makes it easy to book appointments, access client information, and manage your team, all from one convenient platform. And with features like Inventory Management, you can get access to your product stock counts at any time and seamlessly update your totals, all without needing to manually enter data. 

When it comes to your nail business, you can’t trust just any salon management software to get the job done. Try GlossGenius today to get a 14-day free trial, and see how we can help you on your journey to success!

FAQs

How many watts should a gel nail lamp be? 

At minimum, UV nail lamps should be 36w, while LED nail lamps can range from 12w to 20w while still maintaining effectiveness. However, the ideal wattage will also depend on the specific brand of gel polish, coat thickness, and in some cases, the darkness of the polish color. 

How long to cure gel polish with LED light? 

LED nail lamps can typically cure polish in about 30 seconds or less, though the number of polish layers and brand type will also play a role in the total curing time. 

Do you need a UV light for gel polish?

Gel polish requires ultraviolet light to trigger polymerization and start the curing process. So without UV light, gel polish would never harden! Since LED nail lamps still contain small amounts of UV light, they’re an alternative choice for those who’d rather not bother with UV bulbs.

‍