The lamp is the one tool every gel manicure depends on. If it does not cure the gel properly, the polish lifts, stays sticky or peels, however good your technique is. Here is what to look at when choosing one.
UV, LED, or both
Most lamps sold for gel today are labelled UV/LED, meaning they are made to cure the common gel products. Gel is made to cure under certain kinds of light, so check that your lamp suits the gel you use. If gel stays soft or sticky after curing, the lamp and the gel may not be a good match, or the lamp may be too weak.
What to check before you buy
Power: a stronger lamp generally cures faster and more evenly, which matters more for thick builder gel than for thin colour coats
Size: a lamp big enough for all five fingers at once, and tall enough for a whole foot if you do pedicures
Timer: settings you can choose, so you can follow each product's curing time
Sensor: a lamp that starts by itself when a hand goes in is easier when your hands are full
Even light: bulbs placed around the hand, so the thumb and the sides of the nail cure too
Power supply: whether it plugs into the mains or a USB socket, and whether it has a battery if the power cuts are a problem where you work
Which lamp suits you
Doing your own nails at home: a small lamp is usually enough, because you are curing a few thin coats at a time
A new nail technician: a mid-sized lamp that fits a whole hand and has a timer
A busy salon: a larger, stronger lamp that can run all day and also takes builder and hard gel
Follow the curing time on the gel, not the fastest setting on the lamp. Keep coats thin, because a thick coat can stay soft underneath. Wipe the lamp clean regularly, since dirt on the bulbs and base blocks the light. If you want to compare lamps in person, visit one of our shops and ask to see them.
Gumgel UV Lamp (10 Secs Drying) KSh 1,000 — Flexible clip-on UV lamp designed for curing gum gel with fast 10-second drying.
Gumgel UV Lamp (15 Secs Drying) KSh 1,500 — A flexible clip-on UV nail lamp designed for targeted curing, suitable for salons, nail studios, and DIY home setups.
Many top coats leave a sticky layer that is wiped off with a cleanser. If the gel itself is soft, the coat may be too thick, the curing time too short, or the lamp may not suit that gel.
Where can I buy a UV/LED nail lamp in Nairobi?
Trendysh Accosmetic stocks UV/LED nail lamps from compact lamps to large salon lamps, with prices on its website and at its three shops in Nairobi CBD.