A common talking point for gel nail services is UV vs LED. The original CND training consisted of a UV lamp. The journey started there but was upgraded every 4 years. Using 1st hand knowledge here are the outcomes for Rhi Rhi Nails It version of UV vs LED.

Firstly, UV stands for ultraviolet.

Secondly, LED stands for light-emitting diode

UV

The original lamp had been replaced once due to a faulty fan, but the machine was well made and effective.

Incidentally, the end of its life was a nail appointment nightmare. It was a Saturday night nail party with 3 gorgeous ladies all for CND shellac gel polish mani / pedi’s. The vibes were lighthearted and fun, snacks were flowing, alcohol for the girls. Last pedicure, the machine makes a strange sound and then does not turn on at all. However, the story ends with running downstairs from a block of flats at 9:00pm to retrieve a spare UV light from the boot.

TOP TIP

As a mobile nail professional, the malfunctioning of equipment is worrying, always bring a spare light in the boot, just in case.

In this period of the nail industry, companies were transitioning to LED technology, so a replacement UV light was unavailable. The only CND lamp available was the new LED.

LED

This new era of light curing has changed the game. The treatment time has been cut down because of the 60 second cure instead of a 2-minute cure.

The LED lamps are much lighter than the UV so for a mobile nailista its heaven!

The original LED light has a power cable that does not quite slot into the bottom flush, not ideal when you plug and unplug regularly. There is no effect to the power transmitted to the machine. The upgraded machine has a completely different placement for the wire. Much more travel friendly.

The original has small lights that are circular above finger grooves. This requires your client to have perfect hand and foot positioning. The newer machine has more light placements and a removable bottom. Feet then lay flat on the towel instead of the base. Excellent upgrade for sanitation!

Importantly, part of the process is clients and professionals adapting to a new machine. Guiding hands and feet gently is a skill.

The Science

Do not sleep on the science here, it’s not just a light. There is comprehensive reading material for expanding nail knowledge here. Check this out in addition to the UV vs LED we’re having.

There are a substantial number of blogs here at Nail Knowledge via industry giants. They cover all questions for curing info.

Lastly, for decades Dr’s have been using UV as a treatment for psoriasis (documented as a very safe procedure). Scientific research at a major US University claims you would need to have 250 years of UV gel manicures every week, to match the risk of one course of psoriasis treatment.

One the other hand you are at more risk of UV exposure from the sun when driving back and forth to your nail appointment.

Conclusion

• There is no universal UV or LED lamp
• LED will not cure old gels as it does not have several peaks in brightness
• 36w indicates how much electricity used not the light output
• Your insurance will be affected if you have not used the correct lamp for the formulated products.