Using an LED Flashlight to Cure Gel Polish: Is It Effective or Not?
When it comes to curing gel polish, many people are faced with the challenge of not having a proper LED or UV curing lamp. This article aims to clarify whether an LED flashlight can be used to cure gel polish effectively.
Why Dedicated Curing Lamps Are Important
Gel polish requires specific wavelengths of light to properly cure, which are emitted by dedicated LED or UV lamps. These lamps provide the necessary intensity and spectrum to activate the photoinitiators in the gel polish, ensuring that it cures properly and hardens. An LED flashlight may not emit the required wavelengths or intensity to achieve the desired result, leading to a tacky finish or incomplete curing.
Alternatives to a Proper Curing Lamp
Flashcure Lamps: Some LED curing lamps are specifically designed to cure nails quickly. These lamps can provide the necessary light exposure for a thorough cure. While sunlight can help in some cases, it is not as reliable and may leave portions of the polish uncured, especially in the center. It is recommended to use a dedicated curing lamp, which is much more effective and efficient.
Cheap and Reliable Curing Lamps: Many curing lamps, such as those made for gel polish curing, can be bought for around $10 and are definitely worth the investment. These lamps can last for years and provide consistent results, making them a worthwhile purchase compared to a more expensive alternative. I own one that I use regularly and it cost me about $20.
Science Behind the Wavelengths
Regular white light LED flashlights use blue LEDs emitting light in the 450-460 nm range. A phosphor coating converts much of the blue light to green, yellow, and red, producing the overall appearance of white. However, white LEDs do not produce significant UV output, which is essential for curing UV-setting gel polish.
The resin in gel polish, if UV setting, requires actual UV light with wavelengths shorter than 400 nm. This can come from blacklight fluorescent tubes or UV LEDs, but they must be designed to emit UV specifically. If the resin is sensitive to a wavelength around 395 nm, an LED flashlight with this wavelength might work. Otherwise, specialized UV fluorescent bulbs that emit the most light at about 370 nm would be more effective.
Efficiency of LEDs in Curing Coatings
The curing of coatings is highly dependent on the wavelength of light used. Any lamp that outputs sufficient quantities of the relevant wavelength (typically around 365 to 390 nm) can be effective in curing coatings. LEDs tend to produce wavelengths in spikes or peaks, making them more efficient in converting energy input to the desired wavelength compared to other types of light sources.
In conclusion, while an LED flashlight can potentially be used in a pinch for curing gel polish, it is not a reliable or consistent method. A proper curing lamp is recommended for optimal results and to ensure that the polish is fully cured and hardened.