How many nanometers are the UV/LED light curing devices?

How many nanometers are the UV/LED light curing devices?

We were quite surprised by this question from a customer. What is this question supposed to mean? Have we missed a trend there?

This question about the wavelength of the light from our light curing devices actually seems to be a new selling point.

But first, for those who don't know exactly, the technical background of this question:

In each UV-Gel is a so-called photoinitiator, which starts to react at a certain wavelength and initiates the actual polymerisation of the gel (linking of the molecules, hardening). Depending on the manufacturer, this wavelength range can also be in the UV-A range (320 - 400 nm).

Most UV and LED lamps cover the entire range in a broadband manner, but the power in the precisely required wavelength range is lower.

With some lamps (especially LED lamps) only a special range is often covered (usually over 400 nm), but with higher power. But then you also have to know exactly whether the photoinitiator in the gel used works exactly in this range. Most gels sold on the market harden not at over 400 nm.

One of the photoinitiators that is often used is camphorquinone, for example, which works best in the wavelength range around 320 nm, so it hardens with conventional UV/LED light-curing devices and tube lamps without any problems.

Why am I only talking about a sales pitch,when this fact seems so important?

Because this sales argument is only interesting for the new light curing devices with pure LED technology. There are special gel systems for this that are only matched to the wavelength of the LEDs. There are only a few gels on the market that are purely suitable for LEDs. These gels also only cure under LEDs, but the result is the same as traditional tubes and gels. The only advantage with a pure LED light curing device is the longer service life and the lower power required. This is probably why nail designers in forums are often annoyed that their product does not harden, since it is probably a pure LED-hardening gel.

However, the majority of UV gel suppliers buy their gels from manufacturers (like some from us) who also have large brands who have their gels manufactured. In order to cover the entire spectrum of the different tube manufacturers, two different photoinitiators are usually used simultaneously in the gels.

So far, nobody has been interested in this question, since it has actually always worked, but now resourceful advertising strategists have turned it into a sales argument.

As with almost all of them, thelight curing devicesdistributed by us are coated with the so-called Phillips phosphor and therefore cover 320 - 405 nm. This has nothing to do with expensive or cheap tubes, it works the same way with all providers.

Curing is also influenced by many other factors. Substances are added to most gels that make the products durable and prevent hardening from starting as soon as you open the can.
Since gel hardens from the outside inwards, the already hardened gel, color pigments or glitter may also prevent the UV light from penetrating. Overall, the question is not that easy to answer, since too many factors are involved. Everyone should experiment a little here in order to achieve the best possible result.

What does the wattage on the light curing devices mean?

9W, 48W, 80W, 120W are some examples, this is the power of the lamp and determines how fast the gel cures. Means, the less watts, the longer the hand has to stay under the lamp so that the gel is polymerized. The more watts a light curing device has, the faster you are usually finished with the nail modeling.That's why we use this in our shop and in the studio120W UV/LED Light Curing Unit - PROFESSIONAL.

Important: All UV gels shrink as they cure. This so-called polymerization shrinkage should actually be compensated for by slow curing. Ifpigmentedgel is cured too quickly, the material builds up tension, which can also cause a lifting. Among other things, this effect is often found with highly pigmented UV gel that is applied too thickly. Such as building gels with pink tones or color gels that have been applied too thickly. Therefore it is advisable for better adhesion at high UV/LED power always on transparent Base-Gel, Fiberglasgel Clear or Allroundgel Clear to use. In addition, with a high UV/LED output, the gel should be applied in several thin layers to reduce heat development.

Here are a few tips for best results:
- FOR UV tubes: Never install different tubes in one light curing device. If one tube is defective, always change all four tubes.
- Do not skimp on the light curing device and the tubes and rather change the tubes more often.
- The thinner the gel layer, the better the curing. For this reason, always make nails according to the 3-layer principle, which also reduces the burning of the gel on the nails, which is not caused by acids in the gel, but by the heat generated during the polymerisation of the gel by the UV light. The thinner the layer, the less heat is generated.