Types of polish An LED lamp will only work for gel polishes that are specifically set under LED light, whereas UV lamps work for all types of gel polish. So, if you have a range of different gel polish brands, a UV lamp will cure them all whereas a LED lamp will only cure specific LED gel polish brands.

These lamps are typically used to speed-dry regular manicures, and they are required to set gel manicures. Some nail lamps are called “UV” lamps, and some are called LED lamps, but both emit UV radiation. They predominantly produce UVA rays, which have been linked to both premature skin aging and skin cancer.

For example, Kandalec explains that “LED lamps cure nails much faster than UV lamps,” in as little as 30 seconds, while UV lamps can take around three minutes to cure nails.

Healthier Nails While both UV and LED lamps emit light, LED lamps are considered safer for your skin and nails. This is because they emit less UV radiation than UV lamps, which can damage your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. LED lamps consume less power and have a longer lifespan than UV lamps.