Do cheaper lamps work with Shellac?

[kirstie1980]

my cheap $20 36 watt lamp works and cures perfectly and until Doug tries my lamp out and compares it to his cnd one, theyre no better than eachother.

 

[beautyxperts]

I'm actually shocked at what I'm reading on this thread with some of the responses of so called professionals. Why do some of you (with the exception of the untrained non pro poster) still refuse to believe one of the worlds most respected scientists that specialises in nail products & chemistry (for our benefit!) about bloody lamps?! Seriously one of the pieces of equipment that is important in the curing process of gel nails. How many articles & trials does Doug and his fellow colleagues have to do to get through to some nail techs? "Our nails last 2/3weeks" "we've had no problems" - your generic lamp manufacturers don't care if your gel is cured properly, you cannot guarantee your gel product is cured 100% - if you can show us the proof of your clinical trials since your all chemists now I'll believe you...Yes I'm being short in temper on this thread but I've spent thousands of £'s on training, equipment & products to be the best I can for my clients, I use the full systems I advertise not half and that's what my clients pay for along with my knowledge of my profession, I'm not a hobbyist it's my career and I'm not going to cut costs on a lamp that costs under £100!

 

[kirstie1980]

This post isn't about the opinion of whats better, its about whether or not a cheaper lamp works and the answer is- my 36 watt lamp does so YEP

 

[NancySyd]

Explain to me how a cnd lamp is different to a cheaper lamp. You said theyre not the same so tell me how? I dont "think" my clients nails are cured, i KNOW they are. They have NO service breakdown! You clearly said that no one knows if they have a proper cure or not so its probably best you stop saying cnd lamps are different because as you clearly stated- " no one knows"

This isn't about CND and its lamp, it's about the issue of all lamp usage in the context of manufacturer's instructions. If you know the history of CND Shellac, then you know that in order to make the product hypoallergenic, they had to use fewer and different photoinitiators to reduce sensitivity. That made the products harder to cure so they designed the lamp to compensate for that. In addition to using a specific bulb (it is Phillips?), the lamp uses reflectors, forced hand placement to get a proper cure. But even the same wattage bulb isn't the same. That is why the CND lamp cures almost all brands out there, because it was designed for a more difficult product. I think pure has already posted other facts about lamps that make this point.

But I'm not just talking about the CND lamp or saying that it's better. I am saying that different lamps are designed differently and some are better than others - some designed for a specific product. When you cross lamps and product you often get a mismatch that goes unseen. Like I said, unless you have some very expensive equipment to test it, you don't know that you've gotten a proper cure. This has been demonstrated over and over again and confirmed by scientists in the field. Service breakdown is only one of several possibilities. Again, this is your business and you have a right to run it as you wish. The science behind the product is real and we "know" facts supported by the combination of data and experience. So while I respect your experience, I also understand what the data says.

 

[beautyxperts]

This post isn't about the opinion of whats better, its about whether or not a cheaper lamp works and the answer is- my 36 watt lamp does so YEP

That's my point why do you feel the need to go against the chemistry of a brand of product that has been tested just to use a cheap lamp? I'm getting the impression that this post should be "how can I save money by buying inferior equipment" as for your cheaper lamp working to cure your product, as I've stated can you guarantee 100% that your providing your clients with product that's guaranteed to be cured. No you can't and we know what it can lead too allergic reactions.

 

[kirstie1980]

That's my point why do you feel the need to go against the chemistry of a brand of product that has been tested just to use a cheap lamp? I'm getting the impression that this post should be "how can I save money by buying inferior equipment" as for your cheaper lamp working to cure your product, as I've stated can you guarantee 100% that your providing your clients with product that's guaranteed to be cured. No you can't and we know what it can lead too allergic reactions.

Oh you really have no idea.

 

[beautyxperts]

Oh you really have no idea.

Do enlighten then...because I've not been so far

 

[NancySyd]

I will admit to being somewhat (over?) sensitive on this subject, but let me tell you why. There are three reasons:
1. I am a former (25 years ago) tech, now a university researcher who got pulled back into the fold to work with salons on improving services. One of the first thing we did was get rid of cheap, generic and counterfeit products and products not in proper containers. Clients said they looked "cheap and unhealthy." It was costly, but not as much as imagined and the reaction was very positive.
2. In the intervening years, I joined DIY nail groups, where lots of people use cheap, generic lamps. A couple of years after the introduction of gel polishes, a number of them came down with allergic reactions to products they'd used for many years. Almost all were traced back to the lamp, and while DIYers probably made usage errors that pros don't (but not always), it was a cautionary tale for me.
3. As we continue to work to make this a more professional industry, we need the support of manufacturers, distributors, et al who work with us as partners. When we use counterfeit products (and generic?), we allow people to skim off the most profitable segments of the market and return nothing to the profession - no training, no marketing, no education, no R&D. Using counterfeit products undermines the industry.

I say all of this not to escalate this argument, but to put my words in context. I hope that each of us in building our own businesses keeps in mind what is good for ourselves, our business and clients, and also what is good for the industry as a whole.

 

[squidgernetball]

Well said @NancySyd. Some people will always believe they know better. I've lost the will to argue over cheap lamps and imitation gels that are apparently just as good(!) I believe that we should all work in a manner that we see as fit but some people's versions are different to others. I don't care if people use the wrong lamp or imitation gel or shellac but it really does bug be when people say they're all the same.

Keep your own powder dry!

Vic x

 

[emmarobyn]

I can't believe since that video was filmed this is still a regular question. I use all cnd. I wouldn't dream of bashing other companies the way other therapists slate them. The proof is in the pudding (or the video) what more do people want? Smh..

 

[kirstie1980]

I can't believe since that video was filmed this is still a regular question. I use all cnd. I wouldn't dream of bashing other companies the way other therapists slate them. The proof is in the pudding (or the video) what more do people want? Smh..

Its not substantial evidence. Its just an ordinary person trying out lamps. We dont know how old each lamp is, the amount of treatments each lamp has done, age of globes used, wattages of each lamp etc etc

 

[emmarobyn]

Its not substantial evidence. Its just an ordinary person trying out lamps. We dont know how old each lamp is, the amount of treatments each lamp has done, age of globes used, wattages of each lamp etc etc

Most of the lamps are branded in that video so it gives you a good idea. As a nail tech you should realise the risk you could be imposing on to your clients by under curing and over exposure. Is your business and reputation really worth saving a few £££?

 

[kirstie1980]

Yeah we know some of the brands but we dont know any answers to the other points i mentioned. That video means absolutely nothing

 

[izzidoll]

What ever happened to this being a factual, educational site?
Do we no longer recommend following manufacturers guidelines and following what the research scientists say?
I don't think, "use any old junk and if it looks ok it probably is!" is very reassuring for anyone checking out what the salon professional community are doing these days.

 

[nails & more]

Another pointless post from someone who isn't fully trained and Insured.

If you were, you would understand that the real issue to be concerned with, is not about whether other lamps cure the products being used.

If you do not follow manufacturer's instructions (which tell you to use their lamp) and a client complains that their gel polish isn't lasting, how can you prove that it isn't you who is causing the service breakdown by using a generic lamp or one intended for another brand?

Even more worryingly, suppose your client develops an allergic reaction to the gel? She's suffered blisters and itching and has been told by her GP that the gel nails have caused this.

Client decides to sue for compensation because she has suffered actual physical harm (blisters and itching...possibly serious facial swelling in some cases). Assuming you are trained and insured, your insurance company will investigate the case and discover you weren't using the branded lamp, (clients can read logo's and if shown a picture of a CND lamp, they will certainly be able to spot the difference!).

Your insurance company will refuse to cover your defence costs and you will be left with a crippling bill.

It will be all over social media and spell the end of your career as a Nail Tech.

Putting it simply, you follow manufacturer's instructions because they're there to protect you, ultimately.

It's the bulbs in the lamp holders that cure the gel. You can buy them from electrical outlets. I have used cnd lamp and non branded and the results are the same. Benefit of cnd lamp is that you have correct timings for Shellac.

 

[Biljana]

Lol I am all about science and education, protecting my a$$ in case something should go wrong. I have 3 systems and you betcha I got 3 different lamps to go with each system. As a matter of fact I have a back up lamp for each of those systems. Is it expensive? Yup. But I run a business that is sustainable and profitable by not cutting corners and charging properly. Please don't start a debate on being a single parent, on having a small business etc... been there, done that too.
High end lamps are not out of reach!
I do have to admit I am a bit of a brand "wh@re" when it comes to an industry I feel so passionate about so even if any old lamp out there could do the job I wouldn't settle for anything less. My clients know the difference

 

[krum]

Just my opinion which is from recent experience.
We use Artistic and were just using a generic UV lamp. It seemed to cure fine and lasted well so no issues.
We recently got the actually artistic lamp and the difference is astounding. The polish applies smoother on top of each layer and cures to a much harder finish. The finish now looks much more shiny and solid and it is lasting even longer than before! I was shocked. I thought it was curing properly before as we had no major issues but now using the correct lamp and curing it properly it's easier to work with, looks better and lasts longer.