I came across your video on my reccomended, THANK YOU! So much for creating such an informative video. I went on a deeper research hole due to suffering thank god a light reaction to a crappy made UV lamp + DIY kit I got from amazon. I'm now going to try sell off the SUN 5X Lamp as I thought it was a good lamp but after watching this, you're probably one of the only Nail techs that actually went into depth about the curing time. I'm so glad to find out that the Kokoist lamps can cure most gel polish, I have learnt a valuable lesson to now no longer try to cheap out on something and slowly investing in good quality Gel Polish and also UV Lamps. Your videos honestly made me less scared about going back into gel polish thank you so much!!!! Idk why this video isn't viral or have enough views. Nail techs, students and DIYers like myself NEED to watch more videos like these!

I have screen shot all of your listed things to look for and am reviewing my products ASAP. I have 2 main suppliers for my salon products and both are generally excellent when it comes to providing quality products, but now I know exactly what to look for, I’m going to double check to be safe. Thank you so much Liz 💐💐💐💐

Thank you so much for doing this video series and caring about us all. I ordered one of the lamps that was still in stock on your site and look forward to being safer. ❤

So much knowledge. Thank you for all this info!

I just got my first order from Nail Hub and I am thrilled with the quality of the Akzentz products. All my troubles with application are gone and my nails look amazing! Also in love with their stone cuticle pusher. It's so effective yet gentle! Thank you! I appreciate you!

Such a great video! I have so much of this information in my courses for my students. It's frustrating to see so many people recommend a lamp based on the wattage. I even saw it again the other day from some promoting her courses. She even went as far as to say that she has done so much research on the topic because she had reactions before so she knows what she's talking about. It's very frustrating knowing there's people spreading such misinformation.

What an eye opener this video was for me. Checking my MelodySusie lamp today.

I bought 2 of the sun lamps a couple years ago and have been having gel peeling and chipping ever since. I use Gelish polish and they said it was my lamps but I didn't know what to look for. Thanks for this instruction!

Thank you Liz!!

Thank you for what you do!

Omg, now I finally get it, your videos are great!

Thank you so much for all this great info.

Liz, thank you so much for sharing this information in this video as well as the previous one! I do my own nails at home and while I rarely use gel, maybe a few times a year, I definitely want to be sure I’m doing it safely and this information is extremely helpful. It seems that this safety information is so rarely talked about, it’s no wonder allergies are on the rise. I have a lamp from Amazon that I spent like $20 on a while back. I’ve only used it a couple times but I think I will get rid of it after watching this video and look for something safer. Thank you again!

Thank you for this video. So much good information❣️🌸

Thank you for all your information Liz, I’ve learned so much from your channel and class you as the most trustworthy and informed tech out there! I’ve now purchased a nail lamp with metal interior, quality LEDs (not the yellow dots) and it was made in Taiwan. I use HEMA free gels so hopefully now I can be even safer while enjoying my DIYer nail journey 💚.

@Sassy_Cinnamon

7 ай бұрын

What's the name/brand of the nail lamp please??

Yea I took the LE mini to Vancouver for my workshop and Jenny Bui said “oh that’s not gonna cure the gel” just cause she saw a small lamp. But when I said it was Light Elegance then she was changed her tune.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

💯

@AK-kl7pg

8 ай бұрын

DIYers: 😭 Wish we could buy the good lamps.

@angeltperez5612

8 ай бұрын

@@AK-kl7pg you can. Investing and researching are the keys to getting good lamps. You don't need to buy lamps that are sold by "pro only" companies to have a good lamp.

@deathvvitch

7 ай бұрын

@@AK-kl7pg it’s only $30 more just save a little bit. It’s okay to wait for the best product 🥰

@AK-kl7pg

7 ай бұрын

@@deathvvitch I was able to do TNH's course and am about to order my first batch of LE ... But I have a problem. I want to buy it all 😆 but really, I can't decide which lamp to buy.

Thank you soooo much for this content. I am experiencing gel allergy at the moment and your videos are helping me understanding what might be going on.

@petrinekristiansen

4 ай бұрын

So did you find out?

Thank you a million times. I’m new to gels and of course I bought one of those SunUV lamps. I just ordered a lamp from the Nail Hub and am throwing my other one out. I did notice that my lamp was not curing my gels properly and so kept increasing the duration of the cure. Anyhow, I’m so grateful to be learning this valuable information so early in my gel journey. ❤

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

I'm so glad this was helpful and your intuition was right! Now you'll be set up for success as well as safety!

What an amazing video! I cannot explain in words how grateful I am for your hard work. Nobody cares about what they sell to ppl. They just want your money. I’m definitely purchasing a new lamp. Thank you so much

I appreciate the information presented here. Now I have to upgrade to a professional level lamp for my own health!

Loved it!

Love this video! I am super interested in the science behind the products. I have a lamp that looks like the right one.. it's from Pink Gellac and cost 85 euros. Wonder what the tests would reveal about it ..

I just learned alot

New to your channel-thank you so much for all this valuable info! My lamp is from Amazon, but it says it has 405nm wavelength. Does that indicate that it’s safe enough, or is there something else to look for to ensure safe curing? Thank you!

Fascinating! I have just upgraded to a better lamp - mine was a couple of years old anyway. I will be curing for 60 seconds in future!

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

👏👏👏

Thank you for this! I’ve recently been on the hunt for a better lamp. The one I have now I actually got from another well known nail tech/influencer, she used the same lamp in her salon so I expected it to be higher quality than it is. It’s worked well for me for the last couple years but it’s starting to not cure properly anymore and I feel like 2 years is a pretty fast time for it to have lost so much light intensity when it’s just been for personal use.

@yolyrom7233

Жыл бұрын

Yea two years is a short time for it to start going out I would think.

@krystalfukinmarie757

Жыл бұрын

@@yolyrom7233 Definitely! It says it’s good for 50,000 hours. I know i haven’t used it even half that time in the 2 years I’ve had it! Even when I do a new set every week, with multiple layer art that requires a lot of flash curing!

9mg, THANK YOU for this education. 🙏🏽 you saved my nails!

This is super informative, thank you! Any recs for cordless lamps for a salon setting that does pedicures? I know kokoist has one, just curious if there are any other options I can bring to the salon owner that are closer to the $200 mark

So informative and interesting…I’m new to all this and I’m so glad I came across your video…super helpful and important too…I have invested in all expensive products which appear to be good but I’m concerned about the fact that I’m hearing that we should stick with one brand for the gel polishes and lamps…when I got get my nails the technicians use polishes that don’t match the lamp they use on me and it will be super expensive to purchase a bunch of different lamps also for at home use where would I even store all of them? Nonetheless thank you again for this content

Hi Liz! Firstly thank you so much for educating us on basics of chemicals in gels and lamps. Getting trusted information is very difficult. I would really appreciate if you could address the following topic as well. These questions are coming from clients and I want to make sure my answers are right - Will using sunscreen before starting nails will help to reduce the risk of cancer from UVLED lamps? - if cream is applied is there a chance that it gets on prepped nails and affect the durability of gels. I think we shouldn't apply cream. Please give more clear information on these areas as well. Next important question is which type of extension is mire harmful or damaging? Acrylic/builder gel/polygel gel or dip powder? Asking based on the chemical reactions. I feel acrylic is more risky but i don't have strong technical explanation to it. If you have already addressed these areas in old videos please provide the link. ❤

@werm3169

5 ай бұрын

Not Liz, but I know a thing or two about this and can hopefully help. Here's the thing about nails and cancer risk due to UV exposure: our actual nails aren't living, so they can't get cancer. Our nail beds can get cancer, but never due to UV exposure due to the fact that our nails filter 100% of UV light. No UV light can get to our nail beds and our actual nails are unaffected by UV exposure. If someone gets cancer of the nail bed, it is unrelated to their UV exposure (which is why it's one of the most uncommon types of skin cancers). For the skin surrounding the nails, UV exposure can impact skin cancer risk. UV exposure from LED/UV lamps is going to be possibly the smallest contributor to a person's UV exposure, but UV damage is cumulative, so it doesn't hurt to protect yourself from all sources of it. You will be sufficiently protected by using a glove or sunscreen only on the skin itself and not on the nails. You could clean the nails after applying sunscreen to avoid it interfering with adhesion in case some gets on the nails. A sunscreen stick would allow for more precise application

As usual very informative video Liz. I hate when I see those say they’re using sun uv for years as a tech or otherwise and say they’ve never had a problem. I have a couple questions not pertaining to this. What soap do you recommend for cleaning instruments? I’ve got the let’s touch disinfectant for after but wanted a good recommendation on the liquid soap for before hand. Also do you have any recommendations on a desk?

what is your opinion on the après beta nail lamp ? I was considering it since it was more affordable than most pro lamps but after this video i’m not sure it’s as safe as i’d hope

i am so thankful for these videos on allergies and curing.. i am a do it yourself and have learned alot from watching your videos as well as others. i will definately be working on your suggestion, i have a question... if i have well cured gel nails, is it ok to use a cheap brand nail lamp to cure the gel polish on the well cured gel nails that have been cured with the excellent gel lamp.. thank you

Love all of your video’s! Thank you so much for providing the truth!

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome. As someone who has used gel nail products safely for almost 20 years I hope this info can help others do the same!

@Mareilletm

Жыл бұрын

I watch your content from my start in the nailindustry in 2019 and it has helpt me so much! Thank you.

hi!! i'm relatively new to all of this and your channel has been super informative :-) i'm currently using the Apres Gel X system and im looking to invest in a full size lamp to make sure i'm fully curing the gel glue, but apres doesn't seem to have a good one. what do you recommend? can the undercured gel glue itself cause problems, or is it just gel polish?

Yes I've got second time very bad allergy for uv light lamp hand and fingers swelling, itching and red patches on my fingers 😢

Checking the ingredients of my products, they have a monomer called trimethylolpropane triacrylate. I know it’s a monomer, but do you know where I can find information in lay terms on how big the molecules are and how likely it is to cause sensitization? As well as guidelines to know if the percentage is too high in a gel formula?

I was hesitant to purchase a more expensive lamp & was going to go with SunUV, but this video pushed me to get the Kokoist Infinity! Definitely would rather pay a bit more now than have to pay more for a derm later if I get allergies

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@nearsightedwoman

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely! I actually DID buy the SunUV lamp and it visibly does a bad job curing. Tossing it and just ordered the mini dot on the Nail Hub. Gotta have a proper cure or nothing else really matters.

@ASMenz1828

5 ай бұрын

@@TheNailHub I just can't thank you enough for this valuable video to enlighten so many out there. Love all your stuff. What lamp should a lay person buy in place of expensive lamps, who genuinely can't afford to buy Light elegance or Kokoist lamp? I have no job, quite difficult to make ends meet. Thanks in advance for answering my question.

the LE mini dot, will that be able to cure korean gels adequately, such as Fgel, Gracia Jin.B, Dgel, etc?

Just looking for a replacement nail lamp too. Always used a SUN but bought a cheaper version online ( starts with A and ends with n)and what a mistake definitely not same quality.

Thank you so much!! I’m a new DIYer and my kit is almost complete. But I’ll be swapping out my current lamp for one of the lamps on your website. Thank u soooo much for the hardcore integrity u possess in a world full of smoke & mirrors 🙏🏽💕

Do these expensive brands ship to south Africa?

Hi Liz, thank you so much for this video - so informative and I love that you explain the science behind this! I live in the UK and unfortunately the lamps that you suggest are not available here unless I spend a lot on shipping. I was wondering what you thought about the Mylee Pro Salon Series Convex LED Lamp? They are quite popular here. I've seen on their website that their gels are now HEMA free and was hoping to use their gels with the lamp but am confused about whether I should just get the mini lamp you've shown in the video and just pay for shipping. Any advice/opinion? Thanks in advance!

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Hi Ipsita, there is a UK distributor for Akzentz as well as Light Elegance just in case that’s helpful. I have never heard of Mylee Pro. Would be good to ask that manufacturer these questions about their products.

Thank you for all the great info! Would the product not just peel off if it is not cured properly?

@TheNailHub

3 ай бұрын

Actually no, in severe cases it will bubble and peel off, but in other cases it will appear cured and hardened, but is not actually fully cured to safe levels.

Very informative video! In the heeting eksperiment, how do you know it's 98.3% cured Is it because it came up on 70 degrees celcius?

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

It's because of how much exothermic reaction (heat) was released on the first cure as part of the total possible exothermic reaction for a given gel. Usually after 5 full cycles the gel is "dead" meaning it cannot be cured further and no more chemical reaction is happening even with light exposure. So we are able to measure how much of the chemical reaction happened on each cycle and figure out if a lamp that is suggested to cure for 30 or 60s per layer is actually sufficiently curing the product.

Thank you for this video! I always struggled to find more in-depth information about lamps and just used a generic lamp off of Aliexpress as as it looked like it cured and ultimately didn't want to spend $500aud on a lamp. I do use higher end gels like Kokoist and a handful of Korean gel brands, as there is wonderful amount of information out there about using higher quality gels but lamps were confusing to me so I never invested in a high quality lamp. I am definitely buying a high quality lamp asap! I think I'll go with the Kokoist le Blanc lamp :)

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

I personally recommend the Kokoist Infinity as you won’t have issues with battery life or operating below full charge. Plug in lamps are best for regular use.

@nritchie

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub Thanks for the reply! I'm a diy-er and only use my lamp every 1-2 weeks so it won't see constant use 😂 I will keep it plugged in while using it though! Thanks for that tip

@emilyc8983

Жыл бұрын

​@@TheNailHub hi! Can you explain why the infinity over the LeBlanc? I thought the LeBlanc was higher quality and now I'm confused.

@HealingBodySoundwaves

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub is it called infinity hybrid? Just want to make sure its the right one!

@Ri-re3do

Жыл бұрын

could you please recommend good korean gel brands that aren't high in hema etc? I'd really appreciate the help❤❤

How is the gelish lamp 18g ????

Hi Liz, super useful video. I have a question. I do my own nails at home with the sun x lamp and have been for years. I only use one type of gel (the OPI) and I've never had any issues. Should I be worried? Or should I be buying equipment to take temperature readings? I live in the UK and the other more powerful nail lamps you mention don't seem to be available to me. How can I test or make sure the lamp I am using is safe with the gel I am using?

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Hi Daisy, allergies can be developing well before any physical manifestation. Most of the time when itchiness or redness starts happening it is from prolonged periods of exposure. So keep that in mind. And if you’re primarily using OPI I would recommend getting the OPI lamp so you have that assurance on curing.

Have been doing my gel nails at home for the r past 4 yrs. When I took my nail polish off all of my nails are white and underneath the nail looks like thick yellow skin. I do not know if it’s fungus or damage from the gel polish or the 4 yr old uv lite. Need advice. Soaking my nails in apple cider vinegar and bought a fungus med to put on them twice a day.

Please also review recent red UV light.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Red light is known to help with collagen production and has anti aging benefits when used in specific high grade settings. A lot of lamp manufacturers started adding red light output to their UV lamps (meaning the lamp emits both UV-A and red light) to make claims like “better for your skin” or “anti-aging nail lamp”. It’s a marketing thing and I have yet to see any real studies on it being beneficial in nail lamp applications. You’ll also see pink lamps. These are red light plus violet 400nm light. Same idea. There’s no such this as Red UV. All lamps emit UV-A or very near it through some part of the range of 365 to 405nm. Red light is on the other side of the spectrum. So you’d have to have a lamp with dual LEDs where one emits the light needed to cure the gel and the other emits whatever color you want. You could have green, yellow, red you name it.

I appreciate you much. This video is so helpful. The comparisons, scientific explanations, Liz, I just want to do better and make better informed decisions. Thank you so much. I am currently using Kokoist gels. I want to buy a quality lamp from the same company as the gel I use but they are very expensive. Will/Can the Light Elegance mini cure Kokoist gels? What’s the difference between the older Kokoist lamp and the newer version?

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Yes the mini dot does a great job with Kokoist products from my testing.

@christiangyrl3

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub Thank you so much

Do you recommend solid nail glue? What do you recommend? ❤❤thank you for your videos. I’m learning so much!

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Hi Vinh, I don't know what you mean by solid nail glue. Please clarify. Thanks!

So.... seen a post of a self-proclaimed "guru" who, when asked what brand of nail lamp is best, replied...."Just as long as it's 48 watts and has a reflective bottom, cheaper ones are just as good as expensive ones. This answer, at best, is incomplete. Never mentioned quality of LEDs, proper wavelength or testing to make sure that the gel is fully cured. It is heartbreaking that someone is getting incomplete information and why people need proper education from reputable dedicated instructors like you.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

The misinformation is strong but you now know the truth which is all part of the change.

@AK-kl7pg

8 ай бұрын

"at best" ...you're being generous. 😅 I think those perpetuating misinformation are actually causing harm.

I have a dual spectrum lamp, on some of my gels they give a time for uv and a time for led eg 30 seconds LED or 2 minutes UV. For a hybrid/ broad spectrum lamp should I be curing for the 30 seconds or the 2 minutes? I’ve been playing safe and going for the 2 minutes but I’d save a LOT of time if I could do 30 seconds instead! I only do my own nails so it’s not critical time wise but at the same time i don’t want to be exposing my hand to unnecessary UV rays either. Thank you . 😊

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

If you're using 400/405nm compatible gels (referred to as LED or UV/LED gels) then you could just do 60s. The "UV" portion is talking about a CFL lamp. If you're using an LED lamp then I would suggest 60s cure times. But you'd have to confirm with the manufacturer of your gel. If they say 30s per layer in your lamp do 60s. If they say 2 minutes do 2 minutes.

Hello blessing I live in Puerto Rico and the Energy Power goes on and off a lot which rechsrgeable lamp do you recommend, thank you

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Rechargeable lamps are good for when you absolutely need them, but they are not good for daily use. Rechargeable lamps lose power very quickly and their output is not consistent. If your power goes out regularly you might want to invest in a small battery backup that has plugs and ports on it? Usually you can charge them to last for a couple of days. Or you could get two lamps. One rechargeable and one regular. The investment in a backup battery is probably cheaper and you can use it for more than just nails like your efile etc.

I finally invested in the LE Gen3 lamp. I also use their products. Not a nail tech, just a DIYer. I need quality products on my nails!!!

@TheNailHub

9 ай бұрын

👏👏👏💪💪💪

@AK-kl7pg

8 ай бұрын

Were you able to buy LE as a DIYer after The Nail Hub's LE training course? Been looking for ways to get better products as a 'DIYer science nerd who knows we should be using better products, but has limited access.' 😅

@DIYNailsBySt

8 ай бұрын

@@AK-kl7pg Hi! No, I’m licensed, I just don’t do nails. I’m able to purchase with that.

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Hi @AK-kl7pg our course will certify you to buy level 1 professional products like P+ gel polish and lamps to go with it.

@AK-kl7pg

7 ай бұрын

@@TheNailHub excellent course! E V E R Y person doing or getting nails done should take the course!

Love this!! The small akzentz little mini lamps ( my beginner lamp from my akzents educator DK Beauty )is it any good? Now looking to up grade 😳!

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

The mini black one or the 4 finger silver one with the platform? Both are great but black mini is 400nm only as I recall. So won’t cure old style gels.

@michellemanwaring2513

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub mine are 4 finger white ones 🙂.

I know this is an old video but please answer! I use a lot of korean gels, would you recommend the Arkentz or Kokoist infinity lamp??

@TheNailHub

Ай бұрын

Highly recommend Akzentz. It’s super powerful and cures all gel types.

Hi, Liz. Sorry to bombard you. When it comes to curing completely clear gel, is it acceptable to only slightly cure (say, 15-20 seconds or so) to harden it, and then apply lots more on top and then do a full cure? Obviously this wouldn't at all be suitable for pigmented gels, as the inside wouldn't cure fully, but can you do this with clear? Does the light penetrate all the way through? I do very long nails, and have to do 2-3, sometimes even 4 layers of gel (they're more than 2 inches long), and having to do 60 seconds for every layer for every finger would take VERY long.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Hi Brianna, yes you can absolutely flash cure products to keep them in place, but you need to fully cure the product afterwards and this only works well with clear. As long as nothing is obstructing the light from penetrating the product well it should be fine, but you could be experiencing more heat by not fully curing in between major layers as you'll have the full exothermic reaction happening on all layers at the same time and this could cause a potential excess of heat on your nail bed. Greatly depends on the gel you're using, how you're applying the gel, and also the lamp. For super long nails (even 2 inches) you might want to flash things into place, then move on to another finger first, and continue until all the nails have the same layer of gel. Then fully cure that layer before adding more product. Hope that makes sense.

@briannab4770

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub - Thank you, Liz. This is immeasurably helpful. Seriously. The information you put out, and your responsiveness is unmatched. Before I found your videos on allergies, I was using cheap Chinese products, getting them on my skin and not thinking anything of it, and I cringe! I seriously almost purchased 1000ml of cheap gel from AliExpress. Also, I even watch professionals I love using their fingers to swipe the gel off the edges of the nails, and I gasp in horror, haha. As soon as I saw your old video about Hema and allergies, I bought nitrile gloves, a dust collector, started wearing a mask, goggles and covering my body. But unfortunately I've been using a cheap Amazon lamp. Now I'm going to get the Infinity Lamp.

Even though this video is old, I hope you’re able to respond to this! What are your thoughts about the other KOKOIST Lamp LE BLANC Hybrid LED/UV Cordless Light?

What do you think about Kiarasky lamp?

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

I have not tested it but I believe it’s rechargeable? I have found rechargeable lamps are a little tricky as you’re dealing with a battery and the output can become more inconsistent. But I have not tested that one and don’t know much about it other than seeing it on social. Would be good to ask if they know what the actual output is, where it’s made, what interior looks like; etc

I get gel extensions done at a local salon and i know they use cheap lamps. But I'm unable to do my own extensions at home. They use CND gel polish. Would it help after my appt, I cured them more under a CND lamp?

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Why not ask them to upgrade their lamps? Instead of you trying to find a workaround at home (which isn't going to really work well if they aren't curing each layer properly and you're just trying to cure the outside at home), why not help teach them about the importance of curing when it comes to nail allergies and ask them info about their lamps they are using? Or find another salon that does use quality lamps and products?

Which one is better: Akzentz Hybrid Pro UV+LED or Kokoist Infinity Hybrid? And would the Kokoist infinity hybrid work with Akzentz Luxio gel?

@TheNailHub

9 ай бұрын

If you are an Akzentz user we recommend getting the matching lamp for best results. They are both great. Both very high quality.

whats your thoughts on the kokoist infinity lamp?

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Its a great lamp. One of our best sellers.

How safe do you consider off brand gel products during pregnancy. For example I got the glass nails from NCE and was wondering that. I also have joya mía. Melody Aussie and other brands. That are not like light elegance.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

I would recommend asking these types of questions to those manufacturers. Ask for SDS. Ask about their lamps and actual output metrics not just wattage on the box. Ask them and see if they respond and how they respond. Will tell you a lot. I don’t know anything about those brands so you’d have to research a bit.

Hi! What brand led lamp do you recommend? I’m in Canada and can’t purchase lamps from your website. Thanks!

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Hi you can purchase the Akzentz Hybrid Pro or the Light Elegance LED Dot in Canada. Just look for a local reseller.

Where can i buy Akzentz hybrid pro led lamp? Or similar quality lamp in EU? Please help! 😍

@TheNailHub

2 ай бұрын

Check out Monai in Belgium. They are amazing! The owner Ruth is very skilled and knowledgeable.

Can you recommend a lamp thats available in Europe/Belgium? Thank you!! ❤

@TheNailHub

7 ай бұрын

In Belgium you can order from Monai Belgium. They are excellent and offer very high quality lines. I recommend either Akzentz Hybrid Pro or Light Elegance LED Dot. Ruth is the owner of Monai. She is wonderful. Tell her Liz from The Nail Hub recommended you to them.

Hi Liz, thanks for this great video. I have a question, if we buy the Akzentz Hybrid Pro, can we then expect it to cure any gel or any gel polish? I just want to buy a good lamp without worrying about uncured gel.

@TheNailHub

10 ай бұрын

Hi yes the Akzentz Hybrid Pro is an excellent option as it will cure older gels, newer gels, and is powerful enough to cure everything from basic gel polish to highly pigmented art gels. However, the caveat here is that if you are using a very poor quality gel it is still posible that the formula itself lacks the correct chemistry to fully cure and/or the ingredients could be volatile enough that even handling that product before or after curing (like during application or removal) could still be a risk. So that is why yes you can get one lamp to cure them all but you also still have to be aware of what’s in your products. It’s a two part strategy to avoid the most risk. Good lamp definitely solves a big part of the problem but it won’t completely save you from crappy products.

@Kproductions2012

10 ай бұрын

Ah so basically if we get a high quality lamp like the Aksentz Hybrid Pro, and we use good quality gels (like light elegance, kokoist etc.) then we are safe? And then it’s okay use different brands of gel with another brand nail lamp? Thank you once again!!

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

I will say safe-er as I personally cannot guarantee anything, but yes you are greatly reducing risks of allergies and overexposure if you are using high quality equipment and products as the manufacturer suggests. This is the true key to this entire rise is the dabbling and deviation from manufacturer guidelines paired with the lack of education.

This video was a major game changer for me! Something that I've had a hard time finding on my own, however, is the output for these lamps. I'd love to know how you get hold of this info - it would be great to be able to know how to find it so I could better evaluate lamps available to me (not American, so I don't have access to the same brands or products usually discussed online). The different bulbs is a great starting point, but if, for example, I want to know how to judge if my lamp will be substantially equal to the lamp a brand recommends you use with their products, more detailed info would be so helpful.

@TheNailHub

5 ай бұрын

Output can be measured but the difficult part is the testing of that output across different gels. Because there is no standardized rating system to match gels with lamps, and because gel formulas can vary so much, it requires more than just measuring lamp output. Effectively you could choose a lamp with a lot of UV output but the given gel might not sufficiently cure because of a mismatch. Or it could do the opposite and cause extreme heat and potential burns. So it’s sort of a matching game.

@werm3169

5 ай бұрын

@@TheNailHub Thanks, that makes sense! With so much variety on the market and so many gels using different technology in their formulas, it does make sense that trying to make predictions based on a single metric isn't always going to be accurate.

Is there a way to tell how many mW/cm2 or energy output a nail lamp will produce? Most descriptions for lamps online don’t seem to go into that level of detail. Would it be a case of getting in touch with the retailer/manufacturer to ask?

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

No not without lab instruments. If you’re buying the lamp that comes from your gel brand company you’re most likely good to go as they will have done that testing. The main issue is people buying generic lamps (that are usually super cheap for a reason) and trying to cure all their gels with it. Each gel formula has to be tested to match with a lamp because of the specific energy needed to fully cure that particular gel. Manufacturers usually do that when they make a lamp for their gel line.

Would completing your course give Canadians clearance to order a Light Elegance lamp from Canadian LE distributors? Or does it only grant the ability to buy from The Nail Hub (which I know is US-only)? I'd love to earn access to LE products and equipment so I can DIY safely while looking into formal training. Also I've noticed some lamps from Melodysusie that are now including wavelength information (e.g. their Aurora 4 is listed as 48W that emits 365nm-405nm). This is not very common, even on sites and listings for pro-only lamps, so it strikes me as a better option than the shady SUN UV varieties, until I can access a professional grade lamp. Do you have any knowledge of their products, or any brand/website recommendations for DIYers in Canada looking to purchase a quality lamp? Thanks so much for all the information you're providing about allergies and under-curing. It's really alarming how companies are taking advantage of consumer ignorance and possibly contributing to the development of life altering allergies, all to make a profit. Sorry for the novel 😅

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Yes Canada is on board for this. If you need help you can email us. We provide this throughout the course. I would highly recommend the LE Mini Dot lamp if you’re a DIYer. You can do anything with it and it’s affordable. Plus small and easy to store too.

I have a very bad allergy that started after a nail tech that I had for a while I guess her lamp was it curing the gel properly I recently started doing gel tips at home and realized my allergy is the lamps because I bought a lamp that gave me a very bad allergy after use. I also have a doubt about the Mia secret gels I think they give me an allergy also 😢

@TheNailHub

6 ай бұрын

You are going to have to try a hypoallergenic gel. Check out my online course. It will teach about the how and why behind gel. If you developed an allergy it’s to the gel ingredients not the lamp. But there are gels that you could probably be successful with. www.thenailhub.com/pages/at-home Knowledge is power.

I would like to know if a primer is necessary when doing gel nails because a lot of times, the gel fall off very quickly and the cording to a lot of clips I’ve watch it says primer, S a mess before applying any gel products. Thanks

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

It depends on the way the gel system is formulated. Some systems use base gels, some primers, some bonders. Each company does it a little differently. Best thing to do is as the brand that you purchased what is supposed to be used with their product.

@pppmac

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub I’ve been watching your videos for awhile and I truly appreciate you sharing all your knowledge and took your time replying . Thank you ❤️🌹❤️

i have a question🥰🥰, I'm right now interested in doing art on press ons. would it be safe to use cheaper gel + "high quality" lamp? if i make sure i don't inhale it or get in skin contact would the press ons be safe to wear after curing?. since I'm pretty tight on budget I'd like advice .. it's hard to find cool gels that are safe and good quality too :(

@TheNailHub

10 ай бұрын

Even painting with them is a risk if you are getting it on your skin or on the wipes you touch. It’s not just about wearing the nails. Plus monomers like HEMA are water soluble so if you wash your hands while wearing a set it can still leach out and get into contact with your skin. The high quality lamp and full curing like 60s per layer helps. But some gels just aren’t formulated with enough photoinitiators to cure properly. So that’s why it’s important to consider both parts.

If I have a LE Mini Dot is it even worth upgrading to a regular dot or a kokoist infinity? How substantial is the difference in cure time/percentage? I only want to use LE or kokoist gels anymore.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Mini dot will be enough for most needs especially if you’re not using it in a salon setting. It has the ability to cure even builder gels just in a smaller footprint

@hammypie

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub WOW I’m getting a mini dot and chucking my SUN lamp! I have been so nervous about getting an allergy (I am allergy prone!) that I’ve watched a million gel self nail videos (including yours hehe) and still have only practiced on fake nails. Edit: I appreciate your knowledge so much! Finally I can start doing my own nails with peace of mind 😭😭😭 and I’m only going to use brands like Kokoist and Izemi.

@PettyFoot

9 ай бұрын

@@hammypie Please be aware that the mini dot DOES NOT CURE UV ONLY gels, it says it on their website. So if you're looking to use brands like Star Nails UV gel, it will not cure it: "The new LED MiniDot curing light is 400nm only curing (violet spectrum - not a good light to cure UV only gels)."

I recently discovered your chanel and appreciate the information and education you provide. I wanted to ask why is it so hard to find the ingredients on many gels sold by various companies? With the rise in diy gel allergies, you’d think transparency would be valued. But every time I try to research a ‘new-to-me’ gel company, I can’t seem to find an ingredients list anywhere. Instead there’s a barrage of advertising as gels being vegan, cruelty-free, 9-free, 21-free, etc. But this doesn’t give me the information I really need if I’m to follow your guidance, for example. Why can’t they just list the ingredients?

@TheNailHub

6 ай бұрын

Most of those brands are likely manufactured in China and are all generic private labels. They don’t list ingredients because honestly I don’t think they really care about transparency. Instead they go for low price high volume and just sell sell sell. They aren’t focused on quality.

😢 I'm in Canada and I would really love to use the light elegance products but the distributers here only sell to professional nail technicians.. and I am unable to order from US..

@TheNailHub

5 ай бұрын

Hi the master distributor from Canada accepts our certification program as proof or training. Send us an email at sales@thenailhub.com and we can assist you.

Thank you for this information, I actually have that SUN lamp some one gave it to me as a gift. I just bought my first gel starter kit from kokoist, they actually sent me a mini LED lamp and it said only 4 watts. I didn’t use it yet because I thought it might just be for flash cures. Now I’m wondering if it will work better than the SUN. I’m new to gel and am trying to mindful and cautious about allergies, so I really appreciate your videos.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

It it’s the milk cake lamp then it is for flash curing the Gelip nail tips. Not for color gels. You’ll need something like the Kokoist Infinity to safely cure Kokoist. All the SUN UV lamps I’ve seen are not sufficient.

@Rebeca_Tatianna

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub no it isn’t the milk cake lamp. I can’t find any info of it on their website either. Maybe I will call them. It does have a 405 nm. The name on the box is compact LED light.

Hello and thank you so much for this video it helps alot. My question is how do we know if our lamps are actually good or bad without having this nifty measurement instruments? I am having Madam Glam gels and CND Shellac at home. The lamp I am using is the Sun X12 max lamp. So I am really insecure now that the gels do not cure completely since I saw the comparison to the X5 lamp. It feels cured but as you said it seems only. Is there a formula for us at home to know this? Thank you very much in advance for your help..I am quite confused 😅

@TheNailHub

11 ай бұрын

Yes please see my previous videos on checking if the gel is cured. There are a couple of simple experiments you can do. But in general if you’re not using the lamp for your gel or one that someone has tested you’re probably not getting a full cure. Sun lamps in general are not very powerful. Cheap prices are also a dead giveaway as it is financially impossible for a lamp company to make a full size high quality lamp for less that $75.

@marvella21

11 ай бұрын

@@TheNailHub thank you so much for your kind reply. I went over to your other videos and tested the lamp with the heat method. I wrote a lengthy comment under this video asking for enlightenment 😂 I think this might help others too - maybe someone has the same combination as me…

Hey Liz, i found a similar lamp to the Kokoist Le Blanc Light on Passione Nails its called the masterlux lamp and its identical to the le blanc from the inside to the outside as well as the technical details and even manufactured in taiwan. Its a tad bit cheaper (130€) so i bought that one what do you think? The le blanc is unfortunately not available where i live and way too expensive as it would be around 400€ considering shipping fees.

@JJJWD

6 ай бұрын

Hi, I saw your comment and was curious if you are satisfied with your kokoist "dupe" lamp. I have the same issue with the real lamp being too expensive to import and saw that the German passionebeauty website also ships to my country. Would you recommend this lamp or is it better to look for another alternative?

@trapnest9

5 ай бұрын

@@JJJWDyes definitely, its extremely high quality and very strong, identical to the kokoist lamp because its the same manufacturer and serial number. i can only recommend it im so glad i found it :)

I know it might sound silly, but getting an allergy to nail products scares me SO much to the point where I get upset thinking about it because I'm passionate about nails and for years, I was getting cheap Chinese nail products on my skin and only recently learned about allergies. Even now, there is no way I can afford these oligomer products and at best, can only afford di-HEMA ones. I will definitely purchase a good lamp though.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

It’s a very difficult and nuanced topic because allergies also don’t happen to everyone either. But the incidence rate is increasing hence me trying to give everyone the full picture. Being aware is the most important. Not necessary to be scared but I understand why you feel that way.

@Lisalovesliberty1

Жыл бұрын

What if you bought fewer colors, but higher quality?

@briannab4770

Жыл бұрын

@@Lisalovesliberty1 - So what I'm referring to is the builder gel. As far as colors go, I formulate my colors using cosmetic pigment and mixing my builder gel. So I'm legit just talking about one product. I've looked at the prices of the oligomer products on the market and they are SO expensive (for DIYers, that aren't making money from this). Right now, I'm going to settle with IBD gel which has Di-HEMA. I read a sheet that shown Di-HEMA's molecular size is almost double regular HEMA. It's not as ideal as Bis-HEMA, but it's still less allergenic, and with full protective gear and an expensive professional lamp, I think I'll be okay. And I'm gonna do the thermometer test that Liz shown on her channel, where I can see if it's properly curing.

@nohabenabdelwahed7299

Жыл бұрын

Great video Liz , all greetings from Tunisia ❤ can you make a video about how nail uv lamps are safe ?

Budget friendly nail lamps ? I got the sun uv one right now at home from fb marketplace .. I need to upgrade soon

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Honestly I've never seen a high quality full size lamp for less than $150. If you want something cost effective yet still powerful try the Mini Dot: www.thenailhub.com/products/light-elegance-led-minidot-led-lamp

Hi I am not a professional nail tech and I just like to do my own nails at home, due to not being a professional I cannot purchase the light elegance mini dot from their website and cannot find anywhere to purchase one. If this cannot be purchased by a DIYer like me can you give me some idea of another good mini lamp that can be purchased, I am in the UK. I have had allergic reactions in the past and I am trying to buy better products to try and avoid this.

Question: when it comes to the sunuv lamps, is the official sunuv store on Amazon better? I’ve watched so many professional techs recommend lamps from their official store.

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Not that I have noticed or been able to verify. The challenge is are you really going to test each lamp with each gel you own? It gets complicated and expensive really quickly to try and verify a generic option just because it’s cheaper than say the branded lamp for your main gel system. And if your gel system doesn’t have a verified lamp to me that’s a big red flag.

@diamond-dust

8 ай бұрын

@@TheNailHub Very true. If I were to get a more reliable, higher quality lamp such as the light elegance one, I would have a better chance of it curing different types of gels, correct? I don't want to be limited to one brand.

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Yes correct. You can increase reliability by getting one very potent/powerful lamp that should cure all your gels well, but I will add a disclaimer that there truly isn't a "universal lamp" strategy that guarantees anything because there are just too many possible formula and lamp combinations. However, I will stand behind the lamps we sell in that with the many brands I have tested, they all sufficiently cure the products and provide a durable result.

@diamond-dust

8 ай бұрын

@@TheNailHub thank you so much!

Just looked at my lamp and sighed. Will have to invest in another lamp

Is there a budget lamp that you recommend? I'm a hobbiest that is considering becoming licensed, but my sole income is disability, so I can't be spending $100-200 on a lamp. Hopefully looking for something $50 or less? Thank you!

@amberingalls6911

8 ай бұрын

I currently have the Sub A1 that was labeled online as 360 Watts with 60 leds beads.

You know what sucks gel it up that is a professional gel brand recommends the SUN UV/LED lamp. And it caused me irritation that varied in severity. I ve also seen those lamps in a lot of sallons :/ .

@Alex-dj9qj

5 ай бұрын

I'm a bit late to this but I definitely saw professional brands collaborating with SunUv and pasting their logo onto the lamps. Im talking about brands that require professional license too, not random amazon ones. I still love those brands but now I cannot trust that SunUv lamps are good enough for them 🤣 I'm going to get a Kokoist Infinity Lamp instead

I have a Bioseaweed gel that cost me 120 dollars that looks like the “cheap” lamp, should I be worried?

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

If you use Bioseaweed gel they should be responsible for testing to make sure their lamp cures their gels to safe levels. I have not reviewed the SDS for this brand. I would contact them to inquire about what testing they have done regarding curing levels reached in their gels when using their lamps. According to industry experts like Doug Schoon and Jim McConnell, gels must be exposed for at least 60s to properly cure. So at a minimum I would check what cure times they recommend, what's in their formula (check SDS for ingredients), ask them questions or voice your concerns to them and go from there.

What is your opinion on the ELIO Pro 96 W UV/LED Lamp from Madam Glam?

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a lot of wattage being listed which for me makes me initially question the validity of a 96W statement. But you'd have to review it and ask them. Does it have all the traits I demonstrated? Metal interior? High quality LEDs? Ask them what bin number their LEDs are (it's a rating system for LED quality) and see if they know. Is it made in Taiwan? What's the actual output during curing? See if they've measured any of these things are have the data on it. Any reputable product manufacturer will know or have this information or be will to get it.

@awwsumr0cketz

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub this is so informative! thanks so much!!!

What do you think of sunUV lamps? Apparently the manufacture a lot of the UVLED nail lamps on the market

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

I stand by my statement on you get what you pay for. I have yet to see a lamp sub $75-$100 (other than a couple specialty mini lamps from specific brands) that cures products to safe levels after one exposure not even mentioning after just 30s which again I think we should all increase to 60s.

@planning_with_patches5860

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub Did you mean anything under $75.00 to $100.00 isn't probably the best? I have a mini name brand light from a beauty store that was probably around $75.00.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

@@planning_with_patches5860 I mean any full size under that. Minis vary a lot and most are not great.

Welp, need a new lamp!!

sad to say that I got an allergic reaction the last time I did my nails. I used all LE products and used the big LE lamp I am soooo dissapointed and not sure what happened as I am very careful to make sure nothing gets on the skin and I even cure for longer than the recommended time. I am scheduling an appointment to get the arylate panel to see if I am just allergic to every gel. 😢

@thehammah8039

Жыл бұрын

Question for Liz is I seemed to react to the dust. I got some dust on my pants and woke up the next morning with a rash. Prior to that my fingers felt fine. This was dust from taking down the product prior to soaking off the previous manicure.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

It’s very unfortunate that allergies can be happening well before you finally get a physical manifestation. It’s so subjective because it differs so much from person to person too. So sorry you have arrived at this point. Hopefully the dermatologist can give you some answers on exactly what you’re reacting to.

@Lisalovesliberty1

Жыл бұрын

I’ve heard that often allergies build up over time and then you see the reaction. I wonder what brand & lamp you’ve been using up until you switched to LE? Unless you’ve had naked nails for a longtime? - I had an allergic reaction to a cheap brand of gels & LE is the only brand I can use.

@Kaiya_Corey

Жыл бұрын

​@Lisa Renee I would like to know aswell which lamp she used before

@thehammah8039

Жыл бұрын

@@Lisalovesliberty1 This last manicure I used all Light Elegance products and used the big LE dot lamp. I was pretty dissapointed because I went through the whole certification process with the mini dot with no issues and no reactions only to have this. I am taking a break and would love to get a acrylate panel from an allergist but in my area there are no doctors who have any idea what I am talking about.

This video is two years too late for me, what do I do now I have a severe allergy to gels? I’ve switched to acrylic, get them done professionally but even a gel polish that hasn’t touched my skin or natural nail will cause a minor reaction. If gel does touch my skin I react so badly I want to rip my own fingers off plus I end up with hives all over my neck and face. It’s a bad time.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

First thing I would recommend is get an acrylate patch test done by a dermatologist. That will tell you which ones you are allergic to. If it’s only HEMA you could then look for HEMA free product.

@TheChardygirl007

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub that’s extremely helpful, thanks so much. Hope your information and my experience help others avoid the bad time that is a new allergy to something that was a regular part of my beauty routine anyway.

So basically stay away from sun?

I really want to follow all of these guidelines, but price wise it’s steep. I would love to get myself a better lamp and gels, because i absolutely love doing my own nails at home, it helps me with my life long bad habit of biting my nails, and peeling my skin off (which is something i used to struggle with a lot in the past). Since i started to do my own gel nails I’ve been able to overcome it. But recently I’ve started to show an alérgica reaction after doing my nails, the reaction lasts for about a week after. The skin around my nails becomes extremely itchy and a little swollen, and sometimes little bubbles form around my fingers. I definitely prefer to stop using the products that I am using, but I really don’t want to stop doing my nails at home. I am a college student that really doesn’t have the money to get myself professional equipment. Does anyone have any options for me?

@TheNailHub

8 ай бұрын

Here is a link to my course which certifies DIYers to use professional Light Elegance Level 1 products. www.thenailhub.com/products/gel-chemistry-and-basics I highly recommend you start here. I have kits available that are very cost effective and will set you up with safe product to do your nails.

Let’s say your base gel has fully cured to 99%. what if the color gel layer above that has only cured to like 70%…will your natural nail be protected by the base layer as long as it’s evenly applied (so that none of the color is touching the natural nail)?

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

Your natural nail doesn’t really absorb product. It’s the surrounding skin. And because HEMA is water soluble it can leach out when exposed to water and get on the skin in small amounts. Over time your body may start to create an immune response to this. There’s no fool proof way to “encapsulate” a specific undercured layer. It may help, but it’s not something I would rely on. Better to get yourself set up with quality products and equipment that truly mitigate the risk.

@hammypie

Жыл бұрын

@@TheNailHub you are amazing thank you!!! Once again all my questions answered ☺️

I think nail tech waste alot of money on art and glitter foils brushes, and cheaper gels when we first started doing nails. even when i qualified no one explains about quality and we belived we need everthing as soon as we start đoing nails i did! When i first started nails and qualified i wasted loads of money on piles of stuff i didnt need. its worth buying less items but buy quality. I wish somone would do a starter list for new nail techs with list of colours and lamps! I think i have over 200 colours of L.E but use maybe 15 -20 colours regularly.

Can anyone name some good lamps that are available to non professionals?

@TheNailHub

5 ай бұрын

Light Elegance MiniDot or Kokoist Infinity. We have both on our site.

Why do you say "UV only" is a misnomer when those gels require UV (365nm) and will not cure without it? They won't cure with visible light wavelengths.

@TheNailHub

Жыл бұрын

It’s misused. Typically it is used as a comparison to LED which is an emitter or bulb type. You could say UV-A vs near UV-A vs violet visible light to describe the types of wavelengths being emitted or the compatible photo initiators but instead it is erroneously referred to as UV/LED which is not communicating the situation clearly. It should really be UV-A vs Near UV-A/Violet when talking about wavelengths and CFL vs LED when talking about emitters. Our industry confuses these two things and the real meaning is lost easily. I’m referring to the typical context that UV only is used in.