Gel nail lamps: UV vs LED?

Do you often get a lot of questions about the lamps used in manicure? After all we have talked about the gel application, we should also be clarified with the lamps. Because if you don’t have curing down it doesn’t matter how awesome your application and your nail are, it’s all going to come off. And we definitely don’t want that for ourselves or our clients.

• The first question is: What's the difference?

Here is a picture of a traditional UV lamp. It’s probably the most common that you’ll see especially if you’re just starting out or if you’re looking for a cheap type of lamp. This is the very original one. What a traditional UV lamp really is, is a CFL UV lamp CFL means compact fluorescent. And there is also CCFL which means cool cathode or cool compact. And the fluorescent bulbs in it are what makes it work. This fluorescent light bulb emits a portion of the spectrum of UV light. So with this, you can cure the gels. This lamp was usually used about ten years ago.

But now days, LED has completely taken over. It has a different type of light bulb inside. And LED stands for light emitting diode. You may find some of the LED bulbs have different colors, some are yellow some are transparent. That’s because they have different style of dome over the bulb to spread the light and also to protect the bulbs.

And what important is this is also UV lamp. So you can see the difference, CFL lamps and LED lamps are both UV lamps but with different bulbs. And they both cure gel polish.

• So why are CFL lamps are replaced by LED lamps?

1. LED UV lamps are able to emit the full spectrum of light needed to cure both traditional gels and the newer LED formulas and so they can cure all the gels. So you don’t need to replace the bulbs to cure specific gels. And you can expect it to last five years or more and it almost never lose power.

2. You don’t need to replace the bulbs in LED lamps.

The bulbs in CFL lamps usually need to be changed after six months, because they lose their ability to cure. And LED lamps don’t have that problem.

  3. LED lamps take less time to cure the gels.

How do we choose the right UV nail lamp:

In the past CFL lamps could take up to five minutes to cure traditional gels. But LED lamps with that focus very high penetrating type of light that’s going into the gel, they only need up to 1 minute to cure the gels. So LED lamps not only do faster but also better job.

But because LED lamps doesn’t glow as much as CFL lamps. It’s very focused. So you have to ensure that the number of LED bulbs to be more but also arranged properly, even on the sides. 

• what wattage led lamp do i need for gel nails?

About 36 watts.

the wattage of lamps is divided into 9 watts, 18 watts, 36 watts, 42 watts, the higher the wattage nail hardening speed is faster, but you need to check the relevant information before using.

The light of the nail lamp belongs to the long-wave ultraviolet light, generally does not produce serious damage to the skin, but it does make the skin tanned, aging.

Although it is harmless to take a short time to cure, you should always pay attention to the maintenance of your hands. It is best to apply sunscreen and then do your manicure

How to stop your gel nails from lifting

These five tips will help stop your gel nails from lifting and help them last longer in better condition. What is great about these tips is that they are simple things that can be done, it doesn’t take any extra time, but they can improve the experience you have with your gel nails.

Don’t pick the nail

Picking a gel nail off will not only ruin your manicure, but it causes a lot of damage to your nail bed. Your nail bed has many layers of skin cells, and picking your gel nail off takes the top protective layers off. 

This will cause your natural nails to be a lot weaker and cause an uneven surface; an unhealthy surface will lead to your future manicure chip more.

So, even though we all get the urge to pick at our gel manicures, it is essential to resist the temptation; otherwise, it will damage our future manicures.

Cover the nail with a topcoat

As we stated earlier, applying a top coat is very important as it seals the gel polish. Most people forget that you can apply thin layers of a topcoat after having your nails done, which ensures that the seal is strong and keeps your nails in the best condition possible for as long as possible.

Topping up on a topcoat means that you don’t need the strongest topcoat; a thin quick-dry topcoat will work just as well, as it is essential to remember that you are only using it to keep the seals tight, not to form the seals. 

Prevent your nails from getting chipped

Preventing your nails from getting chipped is so much better than having to fix them. You can do so many simple things in your everyday life to prevent your nails from getting chipped, for example, wearing gloves when washing up or cleaning, not opening boxes using your nails, or the worst one, biting your nails.

These are such simple changes in your day that could cause your nails to be in better condition; they may seem like a bit of hassle, but once you get used to it and see how much it improves your manicure, they’ll instantly become part of your routine.

Please don’t leave it too long before getting them done.

The recommended amount of time you should have gel nails on is two to three weeks, and although it can be tempting to leave them for longer if they don’t look outgrown or chipped, you should try to get them done within the recommended time. 

If not, you do cause potential damage to your nail beds; again, it can weaken them. Another issue with leaving them too long is that any moisture that can get under the nail once the gel starts lifting can cause bacteria to grow, leading to infections.

This may not be a common thing to happen, but it is possible and something that we’d all like to avoid, so make sure you don’t leave it too long.

Allowing your nails to have a break

If you find it hard to get your nails redone regularly, giving your nails a break is also beneficial. Having back-to-back manicures will cause your nails to get dehydrated, so giving your nails a break every other manicure or so will help strengthen your nails.

Not only that, but it will make your future manicure better quality, so your nails will defiantly thank you and reward you for the much-needed break.

What is HEMA?

Today, we want to bring the truth to the nail industry and to all of the Manicure Lovers.

To be precise, what we are going to talk about today is "HEMA Free gel polish"

HEMA is one of those words that if you have heard Hema before, It’s kind of those crazy words that’s taken the industry by storm and people will have a huge reaction to it. And a lot of us don’t even know why we have a huge reaction.

Now let’s talk about what Hema is and why Hema could potentially cause problems

Hema, it’s chemical name is 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate

• So is Hema a necessary component in gels?

Actually Hema is added because it gives us really good adhesion of the natural nail.

Natural nails are made of keratin and keratin protein likes that are carboxylic acids and Hema is sort of a long-chain carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group on one end.

The OH group on the Hema allows it to be more miscible with water so if you have water on you fingernails, so it doesn’t reject the Hema. Hema is also really good as its seen it only has one functional reactive site for the UV cured systems or acrylic systems. So because it only has one of those carbon-carbon double bonds on one end that’s the methacrylate, because it only has one of those it only can enter into one portion of a die functional reaction. So it becomes a chain terminator. If chains could get too long they can become too rigid or they can become too brittle or just not good adhesion.

So, Hema isn’t inherently a bad thing because it creates great adhesion to the natural nail plate, it could bonds with that. But one of the downsides of Hema is that it can get out of control if it’s not bound within the formula properly, or if you get it on your skin, and when you are applying things that contain monomeric Hema you want to make sure that you avoid skin contact. And that’s why as you may have see on pretty much every label for nail care products says “avoid skin contact”

• But there are ways that we can make formulas even safer than having Hema added. 

And so if you see Hema on the ingredient list that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but question might come up what’s the concentration of Hema in a systerm. If the product has 40 percent concentration of Hema in a gel polish system, that increases the chance of becoming allergic to the Hema. There is other molecules that we can use that also have good reactions and good adhesion in a natural nail.Take Hema’s sibling HPMA Hydroxypropyl methacrylate has one additional carbon atom in the backbone and that Hydroxypropyl methacrylate is less allergenic. So some products wind up taking something that has 50％ Hema to 25％Hema and 25％HPMA. And there’s other monomers can be added in there as well.

What’s the best solution?

The answer is “oligomers”. So how it compares to a monomer? 

Oligomer is typically molecule has been built based on the backbone of one of the resins so it’s basically Hema but attached to the Oligomer chain.  And oligomer is ten times the size of Hema monomer. As a result, It’s less likely to enter you bloodstream if it comes in contact with your skin, which makes it safer.

So why companies choose to put so much monomer instead of choosing to put more oligomers in their product?

The answer is very simple. Because Hema is very cheap, so with more Hema, the price will be cheaper. Because it reduces the raw material cost. Oligomers on the other hand are mega expensive. Compared to Hema the oligomers are about 10 times the cost.

As for unna, our brand was born with the goal of being 100% HEMA-free, and we tested the most common gel polishes on the market that claim to be HEMA-free. The result is that almost none of them can do so. 

We are willing to accept the test from the market and we are confident that we will become the new standard in the nail industry. We are looking for partners and agents all over the world. If you want to start your own business, please contact us and we will help you get started.

Colorful nail polish has been around for decades, but now there are new trends that are taking over the market. Some of these trends include glittery polishes, holographic finishes, and even metallic shades.

We've got some predictions on what colors will be popular in the next few years.

1：Pink

Pink is back as one of the top color choices for nail polish. It's not just any old pink either; it's a bright, bold shade that looks amazing on every skin tone.

2：Purple

Purple has been making its comeback since 2017, when it was named "color of the year" by Pantone. Now, purple is taking center stage again with new shades popping up everywhere. From deep purples to light pinks, there are so many options out there.

3：Blue

If you're looking for more color options, check out these blue nail polish trends for 2020.

4：Green

In 2019, green was one of the top trending colors for nail polish. It's still very much a trend, but we predict that by 2022, green will become even more popular.

5：Orange

Green has been one of the most popular trends for nail polish since 2017. However, orange is making a comeback as well. This color is especially popular among women who love bold fashion statements.

Friends who love manicure must know very well about nail polish, such as a variety of color choices, a variety of styles to choose from. However, how many friends know that they need to apply base coat before applying nail polish? Is the base coat the kind of clear nail polish?

• What is the base coat in nail polish?

• What does the base coat in nail polish do?

• What are the steps to use nail polish?

What is the base coat in nail polish?

The base coat is the first layer of nail polish applied during manicure. It is divided into three categories. One is to isolate colored nail polish and real nails to prevent pigmentation. One is to increase nail hardness to prevent breakage or delamination. Another is to prevent the nails from turning yellow.

Some friends think that the base coat is the transparent gel, but it is not. The base coat is used to protect the nails. It can not only protect the nails, but also show a lustrous luster. But clear nail polish cannot be used as a base coat, because it does not have the effect of preventing pigment penetration as a base coat.

What does the base coat in nail polish do?

Everyone can understand that the isolation cream used before makeup is used for isolation and protection. Without a primer before a manicure, your nails will quickly become brittle and yellow. Similarly, the base coat is different from the nail polish. The base coat can protect the nails, but it has no moisturizing effect on the nails.

Even if you just want a light coat of nail polish, you should apply a base coat first. The primer can protect the real nails from damage, prevent the nails from being stained by the nail polish, and at the same time improve the durability of the nail polish, you must remember to apply it before the manicure.

What are the steps to use nail polish?

1. Shake the nail polish well. Shake the nail polish bottle gently before applying nail polish to make the color more even.

   
   

2. Apply primer. The role of the primer is to make the color last longer and prevent the nails from turning yellow or breaking.

   
   

3. Dip in nail polish. Dab a small amount of nail polish with the tip of the brush and sweep across the mouth of the bottle to remove excess.

   
   

4. Color the nails. First apply a stroke to the center of the nail, then apply the left and right sides, be careful to apply lightly, and then apply the second layer.

   
   

5. Repaint fingertips. After two coats of color, focus on the ends of the nails to make the color last longer.

   
   

6. Apply top coat. Finally, coat the nails with a clear top coat to give the nails a lustrous look.

UNNA developed a breakthrough system with 900 colors specially designed for all the nail artists to simplify color selection, with impressive and powerful visual effects. Besides, UNNA’s compound formula consisting of the medical photosensitive resin and cosmetic color paste makes its gel more outstanding.

The history of unna nail

  1. Beginning

unnanail is a brand of Yiwu Best Nail Biotechnology Co. It was created in 2015. unnanail was born to be a color expert. Its founder, Seven, has over 10 years of experience in the nail industry and wanted to create a brand with full color and all effects.

   2. Turning Point

In the beginning, unnanail focused on product development and soon launched the 900-color series of products. However, a problem arose. 900 colors were a lot, but the simple color classification made it yet more difficult for nail artists to choose.

So, unnanail approached the China Color Association and relaunched the second generation of the unnanail 900 color gel series by asking professional color experts for advice.

   3. Innovation

Now, unnanail's color classification is no longer simply dividing the same color into one category. unnanail has divided them into 9 collections according to different styles. Now, nail artists can choose the right color according to the customer's style or even mood.

Now you can see our beautiful color boards. And our visually striking display shelves.

unnanail is not only committed to color. The second generation of unnanail's color gels is the only product on the market that is truly HEMA-free.Many companies claim that their formulas do not contain HEMA, but after our sampling and testing, all other products contain HEMA. 

In addition to the recipe, unnanail also uses top quality ingredients. For example, color powder.

when creating nail art, it is sometimes necessary to apply each color layer very thinly,

with a thin multi-layer color overlay that brings an exceptionally soft visual beauty.

The thickness of each layer is so thin that it can only be counted in microns after the color layer dries,

which requires the particles of the color powder to be very finely ground. unnanail selects German color powder,

processed by ultra-fine grinding process into nano-level color paste, super fine and smooth.

What is reinforced gel polish？

Reinforced gel polish, also known as hardener ,as the name implies, is a kind of UV gel that increases the firmness. But this is just a simple literal understanding, hardener's function and use can be more than you think. 

Reinforced gel polish has the role of preventing nail polish from warping and cracking, protecting the top coat and color gel from scratches ; Reinforced gel polish is a nail polish that is needed when doing manicure, because some people's nails are too thin, applying Reinforced gel polish can increase the thickness and hardness of the nail

A lot of girls like to do a beautiful manicure, but some girls nails are naturally thin and very soft, their manicure is easy to fall off or break very easy, and that's when the Reinforced gel polish will come in handy, reinforced gel polish as the name implies is used to strengthen the nail, it can increase the thickness and hardness of the nail, to avoid the nail too soft and nail polish gel warping, so even if your nails are thin and soft, with the reinforced gel polish used you will not be afraid of the nails breaking.

It is important to note that you don't need to wash the reinforced gel polish after you apply it, so you can put the color gel on directly after it is dried.

The reinforced gel polish can be the all-purpose gel in nail polish. 

Different formulas of reinforcing gel will have different effects, some reinforced gel polish will be a little thinner, some will be a little thicker.

For the less viscous reinforced gel polish, its functions are: 

1. leveling the nail surface

2. lighten the pen marks 

3. make the pattern more transparent and vibrant. 

4. For marble ink effect,  Due to its low consistency, the color gel will spread easily on the uncured reinforced gel polish. This way you get the marble ink effect.

For the higher viscosity of the reinforced gel polish,its functions are: 

1. strengthen the nail

2. to stick some small decorations 

3. to fill in the nail surface.

If your nails are thin, you can choose a thicker reinforcing gel so that your nails are strong enough.

The right steps are: 

first apply a base coat, then apply the reinforced gel polish on top of the base coat, and finally apply the color gel.

After applying the color gel, you can apply another layer of reinforced gel polish, which should not be cured, so you can fix some small decorations on the undried reinforced gel polish.

After adding some small decorations, the nail surface will be uneven, so you can choose to use a thinner reinforced gel polish to make the whole surface smoother. A less thick reinforced gel polish will have a good flow, so it will also lighten the brush marks left on the nail surface during the application of the color gel.

You can use a sanding strip to smooth the surface of the nail and apply the top coat at the end and done!

Reinforced gel polish is just another way of saying hardener, and we have a detailed article on unna hardener. 

Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reactions) are inappropriate responses of the immune system to a normally harmless substance. Usually, allergies make people sneeze; the eyes water and itch, the nose runs, the skin itches, and rashes develop. Some allergic reactions,

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Wipe your nails with a nail prep wipe or rubbing alcohol to remove any bits. Apply a gel base coat and cure using a UV or LED lamp. Check the instructions for your lamp so that you know how long to cure. Apply 3 to 4 thin coats of colour, curing in between each coat. Apply a gel top coat and cure again.

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