You’ve heard all about the power of UV lights for drying gel nail polishes, but do UV lights dry regular nail polish too? I’m going to be sharing the answer to that question, as well as some tips on how to make your regular nail polish dry quicker. Keep on reading to find out more…
How Does UV Light Dry Gel Nail Polish?
Gel polish is a type of nail polish used to protect and enhance the color of natural nails. It is applied like a regular nail polish and cured under a UV light. This curing process makes the polish long-lasting and chip-resistant. But how does UV light dry gel nail polish?
It all starts with the product’s ingredients. Gel nail polish usually contains photoinitiators, monomers and polymers; the photoinitiator photo-sensitivity is activated by the UV light, while the monomer forms the base of the coat and allows the gel to bond with the natural nail.
The polymer links these components together, creating a strong film on the nail that is durable and chip resistant. The UV light can be provided by either a bulb or an LED. The UV light causes a reaction in the molecules present on the nail, breaking them down and transforming them into polymers, resulting in a hard gel coat.
The amount of time required for drying and curing is normally between two minutes and up to five minutes, depending on the wattage of the light and the brand of gel polish used.
While UV light is necessary for drying and curing gel nail polish, it is good to note that overexposure to UV light can be hazardous to your health.
How Long Does UV Take To Dry Gel Nail Polish?
The drying time for UV gel nail polish depends on a few different factors. Generally, it takes up to two minutes for the gel polish to cure under the UV or LED light that is being used, which is the typical time for UV light to dry wet nails.
However, some manufacturers suggest leaving your nails under the light for up to three minutes for optimal results, should you choose to use UV over an LED nail lamp.
The type of lamp being used can affect how long the polish takes to dry. While some lamps require you to keep your nails under the light for longer, others can do the job in a much shorter amount of time.
Look at the specific directions for the particular type of gel polish and lamp that you are using in order to make sure your nails are completely dry.
Factors like the number of layers you applied and the thickness of the coat can affect the drying time. It’s always best to give yourself a generous amount of time, so your nails have ample opportunity to dry.
Do You Need To Remove The Sticky Residue From Your Gel Nail Polish Before Using UV Lights?
Using UV lights to cure your gel nail polish may seem like a convenient way to get professional-looking nails without going to the salon. However, if you don’t properly remove the sticky residue left after your gel manicure, you could end up with weaker, shorter-lasting nails.
To prevent this, you need to remove the sticky residue before using UV lights to cure the polish. This is because the sticky substance can reduce the effectiveness of the UV light.
It can also encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi, which can be dangerous for your health. To remove the residue, you’ll need to use a cleanser specifically designed for gel polish. Alternatively, you can use a lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol.
Once the residue is removed, allow your nails to air dry before applying the UV light. By taking these preventative steps, you can ensure your nails will look and stay healthy for longer.
Do UV Lights Dry Regular Nail Polish?
UV nail dryers are often used to harden gel nail polishes, but they can be used on regular polishes. UV lights are a form of ultraviolet radiation, which is known to dry some materials.
Regular nail polish contains volatile solvents that evaporate when exposed to UV light and therefore dry the polish. However, this is not the only method used to dry regular nail varnish.
The evaporation process takes longer than the air drying of regular polish. Therefore, the use of a UV light can make nail polish dry faster, but it is not guaranteed to completely dry the polish.
UV lamps are not recommended for drying regular nail polishes, as they can cause discoloration and yellowing of nails upon extended exposure from a UV or LED lamp. Therefore, it’s best to rely on air drying for regular nail varnish, as opposed to using a UV light.
Do LED Lamps Dry Regular Nail Polish?
LED lamps provide a reliable source of heat-based drying for regular nail polish. LED lamps are becoming more popular for their benefits over traditional UV bulbs, such as the fact that the LED light doesn’t fade, is energy efficient, and produces very little heat.
The LED bulb emits a light frequency which effectively dries the polish in a short amount of time. As opposed to UV lamps, LED nail dryers bulbs do not cause any adverse effects on regular nail polish, making LED or UV lights a safe and effective drying solution.
LED nail lamps can be used in both professional settings and at home, and a full drying cycle can take between 30 seconds to one minute.
LED lamps are very affordable and easy to use and maintain. With their increased efficiency and safety, LED nail lamps are a great tool for drying regular nail polish.
How To Make Normal Nail Polish Dry Quicker?
Making regular nail polish faster to dry is a common problem for many people. There are a few simple and easy methods which can help you achieve this.
Firstly, start by ensuring you are using a good quality nail polish and that you are thoroughly cleaning and preparing your nails before applying the polish. Also, before you apply the polish, make sure you shake the bottle to ensure that all the ingredients are mixed together.
Once you have applied the nail polish, use a fast-drying top coat, which can really help to speed up the drying process. You can try using a fan or hair dryer to help speed up the process.
If you’re in a hurry and need to quickly dry your nails, try soaking them in a bowl of cold water, which will help to set the polish quickly. Finally, make sure you always let your nails dry completely before applying a second coat of polish.
Baby Oil Method
Using the baby oil method to dry nail polish quicker is a great way to save time if you are in a rush or want to paint your nails without having to wait for them to dry.
To use this method, you need to first apply the nail polish in your desired color. Once you have applied the nail polish, wait for a minute or two for it to dry slightly.
Then, pour a bit of baby oil onto a cotton ball or a clean cloth and carefully dab it onto your nails. The baby oil will help to dry the nail polish quickly, so your nails will be ready in no time.
Baby oil will act as a natural moisturizer, so your nails and cuticles will be soft and hydrated. This method is a great way to speed up the process when you don’t have time to wait for the nail polish to air-dry.
Nail Fan
Nail fans / nail fan dryer are becoming increasingly popular among manicure enthusiasts and at nail salons. Not only do they provide an effective and. efficient way to dry your beautiful nail polish, they look great on your dressing table or workspace.
To get the most out of a nail fan, first make sure that your nails are completely covered with nail polish. Then turn the fan on at around 4 inches away from your nails and angle the fan towards them.
Move the angled fan back and forth slowly across all of your nails until they are dry. Doing this will ensure an even application of cold air over all of your nails, helping them dry evenly without smudging, in no time.
Ice Water
Using ice water to dry your nail polish is a great way to speed up the drying process, allowing you to get on with the rest of your day faster.
To get the best effect, start by filing and buffing your nails before applying your favorite color. After one to two coats, dip your fingertips into a bowl filled with cold water for 15 to 20 seconds.
This will cause the polish to harden and increase its resistance to smudging. When you’ve finished, pat your nails dry, and you’re ready to go.
Make sure not to submerge your nails for too long, though, in the cold water, as the extreme temperature may damage them.
For the best results, repeat this process between each coat and finish off with a topcoat. Doing this will help your manicure last longer and leave your nails looking trendy and shiny.
Nail Polish Drying Spray
When you’re in a rush to finish your nails, nail polish drying spray is a great solution for quickly drying your polish. To use this product, begin by applying several coats of nail polish to your nails.
Allow each layer to dry before moving on to the next coat. When you’ve finished painting, follow the directions included in the package and spray evenly over both hands.
In seconds, you will feel the fastest return to dryness, allowing you to touch things without the risk of smudges or runs.
Hairspray
Hairspray is an unexpected yet useful way to speed up the drying process of nail polish, and will help your nails dry faster. After polishing your nails, spray a quick burst of hairspray from about 10 inches away.
The light hold hairspray will set your manicure in place, locking in color and reducing your risk of smudging.
Other tips for a successful mani, as recommended by nail technicians, include ensuring that you use enough coats of polish – a minimum of two should do the trick – and washing hands before applying.
How Effective Is A Portable Nail Dryer At Drying Nail Varnish?
Using a portable nail dryer can be an effective way to quickly dry your freshly-painted nails. This device is powered by ultraviolet rays, which removes the wetness of the nail.
The advantage of a portable nail dryer device is that it can be used anywhere and doesn’t take up too much space. It doesn’t require any specialized techniques to use as long as you stay within the recommended time limits.
Many nail dryers on the market today come with special features such as timer settings, built-in fans and extension cords for easy mobility.
All these features are designed to give you an optimal finishing experience without having to visit a professional nail salon or wait too long for your varnish to dry naturally.
What Makes Regular Nail Polish Slow To Dry?
There are several factors that make regular nail polish slow to dry. The first is that normal nail polish has a thicker consistency than other types of polishes.
This means that it takes longer for the solvent in the polish to evaporate, which causes the polish to remain wet and tacky.
The ingredients in regular nail polish tend to be more fragile, which makes them break down over time and become clumpy. This makes the polish take even longer to dry.
Finally, regular nail polish has a lower curing temperature than gel or shellac nail polishes, which means it takes longer for the polish to set. By taking longer to dry, regular nail polish is much more prone to smudging and smearing than other types of polishes.
Summary
Regular nail polish can take a considerable amount of time to dry. There are several factors that contribute to this, such as its thicker consistency and lower curing temperature.
To speed up the drying process, you can try dipping your fingertips in cold water after applying your favorite color or using a portable nail dryer device that is powered by ultraviolet rays.
You can also use nail polish drying spray or hairspray to help your manicure dry faster. With any of these methods, make sure to follow the instructions carefully and always finish off with a topcoat for the best results.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty. In addition to Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!