A nail lamp is not enough to achieve a salon-like finish at home unless you get the wattage right. The majority makes the mistake of only considering on investing in a quality lamp as it will do the job; but the wattage affects how fast and efficiently it can cure your nails.

Technically, a 36W or 48W lamp is more efficient in producing more light and heat, meaning it can cure gel polish faster and better than a lower-wattage lamp can. Because if the lamp lacks power, it cannot dry your nails properly and leave you with a poorly cured set that won’t last long.

Now the question is what is best wattage for gel nail lamp? We have provided the details in this guide, so your nails stay beautiful for a longer time without you having to deal with untimely chipping.

Common Wattage Options

Unless you are a professional nail tech, choosing the right wattage is a hassle because there are so many options available that it leaves you confused and overwhelmed. While the range starts from 9W and goes up to 120W, many professionals use 36W or 48W lamps because it is efficient enough to get the job done.

• 48W: Since this is a higher wattage range, it cures nails in less time, 30-60 seconds at maximum, without you having to invest more time per layer.
• 36W: This option is good for those who want to cure nails at home without professional help because the range is neither too high nor low, but perfect for DIY enthusiasts. It takes longer than a 48W lamp but not more than 60-90 seconds per layer.
• 9W: This is the least preferred option because it has less power and cannot cure thick layers of nail polish like higher-wattage lamps can. Also, it takes longer to cure nails, and even then, you may or may not get good results.

What Wattage Should You Choose For Your Nails?

The best wattage for nail lamp, whether at home or salon is 36W to 48W because anything lower won’t give you the desired finish. Like we mentioned before, a high wattage lamp gives you a polished finish that not only lasts longer but doesn’t chip easily even if you tried.

The range from 36W to 48W provides enough power to cure most gel polishes, giving you an even finish and that also in less time. This explains why professionals choose this range because they serve multiple clients in a day and need something powerful to finish the job quickly.

If you go too low, say 9W or 24W, the lamp will not fully cure your nails even if it is from a good brand, and that’s why you should avoid it. Uncured nails feel soft and sticky, and you don’t want to deal with that.

However, choosing very high wattage, like 80W or more doesn’t mean better because it cures the polish too quickly and create heat spikes or cause the gel to shrink, making your nails look bad.

If you do your nails at home, a 48W LED lamp is a safe choice because it works with most gel brands and doesn’t overheat. You should always match the lamp to the product you are using so your nails come out smooth and polished every time.

Tips To Choose The Right Wattage For Your Nails

When it comes to choosing the best wattage for led nail lamp, you cannot pick a random model you like because that will do you no good. There are factors that need to be considered to ensure you are making the right choice and we have explained those in the section below.

Type Of Gel Polish

Every step in your gel manicure needs a different amount of curing power and unless this requirement is met, you cannot achieve a fine finish, it is as simple as that. The base coat is the first layer that helps the polish stick and protect your nails and because it is a thin layer, it doesn’t need much wattage to cure.

For coloured gel, you need more time because they are thicker and requires you to cure each layer separately if you apply multiple coats. The final layer, or top coat adds shine and protects your nail from scratches and it needs more time under the lamp to harden fully.

Purpose of Use

Choose the wattage based on the purpose of usage because if you need it for your salon, you will have to pick a high-powered lamp that can cure faster but for home use, a 36W UV lamp is enough.

In a salon, you have many customers to cater, so you have limited time to invest on each. This is why a high-powered lamp is a go-to-choice because it takes less time and keep customers moving through quickly. At home, you can take your sweet time to do your nails without getting rushed.

Comfort and Sensitivity

It is common sense that lamps with higher wattage produce more heat, meaning exposing your skin under the light for a long time can cause a tingling feeling or even burn it. This is especially true for people with sensitive nails because they need to be more cautious than others.

If you are in the sensitive group, look for a lamp with a low-heat setting or you can simply choose a lower wattage because that way you don’t have to worry about hurting your fingers.

Lamp Beads

Understand, no two nail lamps are same as every model is designed uniquely and has bulbs placed differently. For better results, look for a lamp with good coverage because it cures your nails evenly even if the wattage is not high enough.

When buying a nail lamp, don’t just look at the wattage but also consider the lamp design because you need to make sure it covers the whole nail area well.

Final Words

The wattage of a nail lamp is an important aspect which cannot be ignored if quality results are what you are aiming for. Choosing a 36W or 48W lamp is powerful enough for all types of gel polishes and gives you finish only professionals are capable of.