Have you heard about soft gel not curing properly inside the layer, leading to peeling — and potentially damaging the natural nail? And when uncured chemicals come into contact with the skin, it can trigger allergies and contact dermatitis.
But have you ever stopped to think what actually causes this problem? Is it really just the lamp… or is it also down to application technique and nail tech skills?
Not all UV/LED nail lamps are the same — they can emit different wavelengths and intensities, and that matters.
Gel products contain photoinitiators, and each photoinitiator responds best to a slightly different part of the UV/LED spectrum. That’s why a dual-wavelength UV/LED lamp is so important: it helps cover the most commonly used curing range, typically around 365–405 nm, so the gel can cure properly across different formulas and photoinitiator systems.
Another key point: LED output decreases over time, especially with regular professional use. As the lamp ages, reduced intensity can lead to under-curing, even if you follow the correct cure time — which can result in weak structure, lifting, peeling, and increased exposure to uncured product.
And if someone tells you that you can keep using the same lamp for 3+ years with daily use, that’s simply not realistic. With heavy, consistent use, lamp performance can drop significantly — which is why regular testing, maintenance, and timely replacement are essential for safe, reliable curing.
This is a really important point — and most people don’t even know it and brands do not talk about it enough.
Many soft gels rely heavily on just one main photoinitiator, and that photoinitiator may respond only to a very narrow wavelength range. If your lamp doesn’t emit strongly in that specific range, the gel can look cured on the surface but remain under-cured inside, which leads to poor durability and increases the risk of exposure to uncured chemicals.
We also understand that constantly buying a new “matching lamp” for every gel system or brand can be financially challenging and unrealistic — and in many European countries, it’s simply not standard practice for nail techs to own multiple lamps.
That’s one of the reasons why many modern EU-based manufacturers (especially those producing for multiple professional brands) formulate gels using multi-photoinitiator systems. Instead of relying on a single initiator, they often use 2–3 different photoinitiators, each with a different light absorption profile. This allows the gel to respond across a broader wavelength range, improving curing reliability in common dual-wavelength lamps (approx. 365–405 nm).
In real terms, multi-initiator systems help reduce the risk of under-curing, improve strength and durability, and support more consistent results across different professional lamp models.
Here is an example how this works:
and here is how it works in real life :
Under-curing isn’t only about technique or the lamp (and of course, correct application, fully working correct lamp is still essential). It’s also about chemistry.
Every gel relies on photoinitiators to start polymerisation. If a formula is built around just one photoinitiator, curing becomes more limited — because that initiator may only absorb light efficiently in a narrow wavelength range. If the lamp output doesn’t strongly match that range, the gel can cure unevenly: the surface may feel hard, while the inside remains partially uncured.
Using multiple photoinitiators helps solve this. A multi-initiator system (often 2–3 photoinitiators) gives broader light absorption across the typical 365–405 nm UV/LED range, which improves curing consistency in real salon conditions. The result is a more complete polymer network, better structure, improved wear, and reduced risk of exposure to uncured monomers — which is important for both product performance and allergy prevention.
Always follow the recommended application guidelines and curing times. Regularly test and maintain your professional lamps, and perform curing checks to ensure optimal performance.
Please note that UV/LED lamps naturally lose power over time, which can affect curing efficiency.
It’s essential to follow the correct curing instructions, test your lamp regularly, and replace it when performance drops.
Even the best gel system can under-cure if the lamp output is too weak, the wavelength isn’t compatible, or cure times aren’t followed. Over time, UV/LED lamps can lose intensity with frequent use, which means the gel may not polymerise fully — even if it looks cured on the surface.
Regular lamp testing and timely replacement are key for:
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consistent curing results
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better retention and durability
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reducing the risk of lifting and peeling
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minimising exposure to uncured monomers that can contribute to sensitisation and contact dermatitis
with Love Petra xxx
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