It’s no secret that UV nail lights can help you get a better manicure. These irreplaceable devices let you see the real condition of your nails and cut back on clumpy layers, uneven edges, and other imperfections that are hard to see in natural light. However, if you’re new to this technology or prefer a more affordable option, it might feel like there’s no place for regular nail polish in your life. But is that really true? What exactly is UV nail polish, anyway? It’s not just any old red or pink bottle of lacquer. A UV-coated formula reacts with ultraviolet LED lamps to produce an even brighter shade than normal when exposed to the same blue light that makes your skin glow green in nightclubs. The reaction isn’t as strong without a UV basecoat, but it does allow for some neat effects.
Can You Use Regular Nail Polish with UV Light?
No, regular nail polish will not dry using UV light. You need to use a special type of nail polish that is suitable for UV light. The nail polish has special chemicals that react with the UV light and dries the polish in seconds. If you use a regular polish, you might end up ruining the polish by doing it incorrectly. If you have nails that are already painted, it is recommended not to use a UV light.
What Are The Different Types Of Acrylic Nails?
1. Classic Acrylic Nails
Classic acrylic nails are one of the most popular types of artificial nails. They are good for beginners, as they require no special equipment. You can make them at home using a kit or buy them pre-made. The artificial nails are made from acrylic powder and liquid monomer, which is clear until it dries and becomes hard. The main advantage of classic acrylics is that they are easy to apply and remove.
2. Gel Nails
Gel nails have become more popular in recent years thanks to the many benefits they offer over other types of artificial nails: they don’t damage natural nails, last longer than regular acrylics, look more natural than silk wraps, and offer a wider range of colors and designs than traditional fake nails. Gel-coated artificial nails are made from gel powder mixed with liquid monomer for a thicker consistency than classic acrylics. They also contain UV light inhibitors to prevent the gel from chipping or smudging when exposed to sunlight or other UV sources like bright lamps or tanning beds (although it’s not recommended that you go out in the sun with fake fingernails).
3. Silk Wraps
Silk wraps come in two varieties: full wraps, which cover all five fingers as well as the nail bed, and half wraps, which cover just the tips of your fingers with a French tip design on top. Silk wraps are made from silk fibers coated with a special resin. They are more fragile than classic acrylics and should be applied by a professional. They are also more expensive than other artificial nails, but because they’re made from silk, they don’t damage natural nails and can be removed without damaging your natural nail bed.
4. Fiberglass Nails
Fiberglass artificial nails are made from fiberglass powder mixed with liquid monomers. Although fiberglass nails are commonly used in the construction industry, they have recently become very popular in salons as well thanks to the many benefits they offer over other types of artificial nails: they can be applied in a variety of different colors and designs, last longer than acrylics, look more natural than silk wraps, and don’t damage natural nails. However, it is important to note that because fiberglass is made from glass fibers it can be very harmful if it gets into your eyes or mouth. Therefore, you should only get them applied by a professional who has had experience with this type of nail before.
5. Acrylic-Gel Nails (Hybrid)
Acrylic-gel hybrid artificial fingernails combine the best features of both classic acrylics and gel-coated fingernails: like gel-coated fingernails, acrylic-gel hybrid fingernails do not chip or smudge when exposed to sunlight or UV light sources; like classic acrylics, they require no special equipment to apply and remove them; unlike either type of artificial fingernail, they can be applied in a variety of colors and designs.
Why Can’t You Just Use Regular Nail Polish?
1. It’s Not the Same Thing
Regular nail polish is made from a variety of different chemicals and pigments. Artificial nails are made from a completely different material. The chemicals used to create regular nail polish can be harmful if they get into your body in large enough quantities, and many of the pigments used in nail polish are toxic if ingested. Artificial nails, on the other hand, are not harmful to you if ingested or absorbed into your body through your skin and will not cause any damage to your natural fingernails.
2. It Won’t Last as Long
Regular nail polish is meant to be applied only once, after which it will chip off over time or when exposed to water or other substances that can cause it to come off. Artificial nails last much longer than regular nail polish: acrylics can last up to two weeks (or even longer with proper care) while silk wraps can last up to eight weeks; gel-coated artificial fingernails typically last up to three weeks, although this varies depending on how well you take care of them; and acrylic-gel hybrid artificial fingernails typically last up to two weeks (although this also varies depending upon how well you take care of them).
3. You Can’t Get Them in Different Colours/Designs
Unlike regular nail polish, which comes in a limited palette of colors, artificial nails come in an almost infinite variety of different colors and designs that can be applied by a professional.
4. They Are Expensive
Regular nail polish can often cost much more than artificial nails, especially if you want something that lasts longer than a week or two. Artificial nails are typically much less expensive than regular nail polish, and some types of artificial fingernails are even free of charge (although this varies depending on the type of artificial fingernail you choose).
5. You Can’t Get Them at a Drugstore/Supermarket
Although there are many drugstores and supermarkets that sell regular nail polish, there is no such thing as an “artificial nail store” or “supermarket” that sells artificial nails. Even if one did exist, it would probably not contain the variety of colors and designs offered by many different salons, which can make finding the perfect match difficult (especially if you want something more complicated than just one color).
What’s the Difference Between UV and Non-UV Nail Polish?
1. UV Nail Polish is More Durable
UV nail polish can last up to 14 days (or even longer with proper care) while non-UV nail polish can only last up to three days. This is because UV light is much more powerful than non-UV light, which causes the nail polish to harden and become more durable.
2. UV Nail Polish Can Be Made in a Variety of Colours
Unlike non-UV nail polish, which comes in just one color, UV nail polish comes in many different colors that can be mixed together to create an unlimited variety of different colors. The only problem with this is that mixing two different colors together will cause them to become darker; so if you mix blue and yellow together, the resulting color will be darker than if you had just used blue or yellow alone.
3. UV Nail Polish Lasts Much Longer than Non-UV Nail Polish
Unlike non-UV nail polish, which lasts only three days at most before it starts chipping off (even when applied properly), UV nail polish can last up to fourteen days or even longer (depending on how well you take care of it). This is because the stronger power of the ultraviolet light makes it much harder for regular nail polish to chip off (just as how a stronger version of any drug makes it much harder for regular drugs to knock out your system).
4. UV Nail Polish is Easier to Apply
Unlike non-UV nail polish, which can be difficult to apply because of the way it dries, UV nail polish can be applied with just your fingers (instead of a brush or applicator) and will dry as soon as it’s on your fingernails. This means you can use UV nail polish at any time that you want, even if your nails are not dry.
5. UV Nail Polish Can Be Used for More Than Just Nails
UV nail polish can also be used for other areas of the body, such as hair and faces (especially if you paint it on with a brush), although it will not last very long in those areas because of how porous they are.
Conclusion
Regular nail polish won’t give you the same intense glow that a UV-coated formula does. However, if you prep your nails with a clear basecoat, you can make the process a lot easier. If you’re looking for a better manicure, a UV light might be the solution you’ve been waiting for. These irreplaceable devices let you see the real condition of your nails and cut back on clumpy layers, uneven edges, and other imperfections that are hard to see in natural light. But if regular nail polish is your thing, don’t worry – you can still use it with a UV light to get one of the best manicures of your life.
