We all are aware of a woman’s unending love for nail polish and they love applying them for every important or casual event. With the introduction of gel nail polish, the game of pretty nail has just gotten up, but things get a little different as it requires more work than regular nail polish. But the best part of this time-consuming work is the result, which is way better and even lasts for weeks or even months if taken proper care of.

Whether you go to a nail salon or do it at home, you cannot do without a good UV nail lamp, as it is needed to cure your nails and complete the process without hassles. However, the effectiveness majorly relies on how powerful the UV nail lamp is. A not so powerful UV lamp will leave your nail under cured or even make it look dull or end up giving a bubble in the gel.

If you don't want such things to happen, use a quality UV nail lamp and make sure it has the correct wattage. Now, the question is, what is the best wattage for a UV nail lamp, and how should you buy one? We have provided those details and more in the post below.

What Wattage You Need?

Now, just to give a rough idea wattage is measured with the total electrical power consumed or needed by an electric device to function properly. Wattage is essential for a UV nail lamp because it determines how effective and quickly the device performs and cures your nails. This is why it is recommended to get the correct wattage, so you don't have to deal with under-cured nails and waste your efforts unnecessarily.

You will find many wattage options, but most professionals recommend 36 watts as it works great and can cure your nails in less time. With higher wattage, you can have the best results in a faster time.

When buying a recommended UV nail lamp, check the label to ensure you get the correct wattage. Otherwise, it can create problems and not give the desired outcome.

What Are The Different Wattage Options?

UV nail lamps come in a wide range of wattage options, so you can pick the one and cure your nails in the best way possible. Here is a brief rundown of the different wattage options available:

48W

A 48W powered UV nail lamp cures your nails in just 30-60 seconds and does not waste more time, as it is faster than other wattage options. However, these devices consume more energy and must be handled carefully to not break down after a few uses. Also, they cost much more than other wattage options.

36W

This is the recommended wattage option professionals use as it perfectly balances effectiveness and speed. With the help of this wattage option, you can cure all types of nails with ease and also achieve the quality results that you paid for. The good thing is that it can cure most gel paints and takes around 60-90 seconds if you handle it correctly.

9W

Since this is the lowest-wattage lamp, you cannot use it to cure thick layers and expect it to give quality results because it will not. Although you can use it to cure thin layers, professionals do not recommend it. Also, it takes more time than other wattage options to cure your nails and complete the process.

How To Choose The Best Wattage?

After getting familiar with what wattage is, its function and different wattage options, next concern should be choosing the best suiting your needs. Well, there are a few things that need to be considered so you can get an efficient UV nail lamp and use it to cure your nails without hassles.

Experience Level

Choosing a lower-wattage nail lamp is a good call because it will help you learn the process initially without damaging your nails. Once you get a hang of it, you can choose a higher wattage and achieve quality results without a professional at home.

Budget

Budget is an important factor in any investment and so with the purchasing of the UV lamp. Spend only the amount you can afford and as per your experience. The cost varies depending on the wattage, meaning a higher-wattage lamp is more expensive than a lower-wattage, and so on.

Curing Time

Expecting faster results is common, but for this, not all lamps will do the work. You will have to opt for the higher-wattage lamp as they take least time to cure nails and provide a quality finish. Also, they are more efficient and reliable than lower-wattage lamps that take more time to finish.

Safety Features

Technology must be dealt with the responsibility of safety and you should ensure that it is not harmful to your skin or nails. Some safety precautions you should wear are eyewear to protect your eyes from the light and not cause problems. Also, you shouldn't overexpose yourself to the lamp, as it is not good for your health.

Tips For Beginners

When working with UV nail lamp for the very first time, you should follow these tips to achieve a great finish and keep yourself safe from UV light.

• At home, 36W is better as it is safer and easier to handle than a higher-wattage option that requires experience.
• When purchasing the lamp for the professional use, you can use a wattage option between 18 and 36W to cure nails faster and give your clients a quality finish.
• If you are looking for high-performance lamp to produce faster results, opt for 36-48 wattage lamps.
• When curing your nails, you shouldn't compromise on the process; otherwise, your polish will not last long and peel off in just a few days.

Final Words

Curing gel nail polish is easy if you have the right equipment. With a 36W lamp, you can cure your nails quickly, and that, too, without a professional. Just make sure to choose a quality lamp, and you are sorted.