In this blog, you’ll learn what UV light is, why it’s important for gel nails, and how to prevent sunlight or certain lamps from ruining your manicure or products. Including practical tips and a test to check if your lighting setup is safe!
UV light plays a major role in curing gel nails, but did you know it can also unintentionally affect the quality and longevity of your manicure? Whether you’re working with gel polish, BIAB, or builder gel, UV light is essential for a strong, shiny finish. However, exposure to sunlight while painting your nails or storing your products can cause problems — even before you begin curing.
What exactly is UV light?
UV stands for ultraviolet light, an invisible form of radiation that’s part of sunlight. There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. In the world of gel nails, UVA is the most relevant. This is the type of light used in UV or LED lamps to cure gel products.
During the curing process, UVA causes molecules in the gel to react (polymerize), making the product hard and long-lasting. This is what makes UV light essential for gel nails.
Why you should never paint your nails outside
While UV light is needed to cure gel nails, accidental exposure to sunlight during application can trigger unwanted effects. As soon as sunlight hits the wet gel, the curing process begins immediately and uncontrollably.
This can lead to:
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Uneven or clumpy texture
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Gel that becomes sticky or hard to apply
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Product beginning to cure inside the bottle
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Premature hardening before it even enters the lamp
Important tip: Always paint your nails indoors, away from direct sunlight and strong artificial light sources like a sunny windowsill. Storing your gel products in sunny areas can also degrade their quality.
Be careful with table lamps too
There’s a lot of confusion about using LED table lamps while doing nails. It’s important to know that LED refers to the type of bulb (Light Emitting Diode), not the kind of light it emits. Not all LEDs emit UV light—in fact, most of them don’t. Only special UV LEDs, like those used in nail lamps, are designed to cure UV gel.
However, some table lamps—especially full-spectrum or true color lamps—can emit low levels of UV. Because these lamps are much closer to your working area, they can accidentally cure your gel products.
Want to check if your lamp is safe? Here’s a simple test:
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Apply some gel to a nail tip.
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Place the tip directly under your table lamp, about 15 cm (6 inches) away, for 15 minutes.
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If the gel becomes thick or hardens, your lamp emits too much UV.
Stick with standard indoor lighting or LED lamps that don’t mimic daylight. Avoid any lighting labeled as “daylight,” “true light,” or “full-spectrum.”
Tips to protect your gel nails and products from UV light
1. Paint in a closed, shaded space
It might seem harmless to paint your nails near a window or outdoors on a sunny day, but that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do. Natural daylight contains enough UV rays to start curing your gel products immediately. Choose a space with no direct sunlight. Close curtains or blinds, or work farther from windows. Standard indoor lighting (without UV) is safe.
2. Store your products in a cool, dark place
Gels are sensitive to both light and temperature. Storing them on a windowsill or in a warm bathroom increases the risk of premature curing or product breakdown. Keep your gel colors, base coats, and top coats in a closed drawer, cabinet, or UV-proof container—ideally at room temperature (18–22°C / 64–72°F). Never store them near your nail lamp or table lamp while working.
3. Work quickly and in small quantities
Only open your bottles when you’re ready to use them, and close them immediately after. Don’t leave the brush resting on the table, as the gel at the tip can start to cure from ambient light. Consider working one hand at a time or even one nail at a time for more control and less risk of premature curing. Avoid delays like scrolling your phone—every second counts with light-sensitive products.
4. Be cautious when filming or photographing your manicure
Creating content while doing your nails is fun, but ring lights, studio lights, and sunlight can emit enough UV to start curing your gel—sometimes in just a few seconds. If you want to create content, finish painting first and then film the result. If you must film during application, use soft LED lighting with no UV output and avoid reflective surfaces that could bounce light back onto your nails or bottles. A helpful tip: cover open bottles with a card or cloth if you're pausing between steps.
Conclusion
UV light is essential for curing gel nails, but it must be used with precision. Painting in sunlight or storing products incorrectly can cause problems like uneven results or ruined product. By managing your lighting carefully during your manicure and storing your products properly, you’ll enjoy longer-lasting, flawless gel nails.
Want to do your gel nails safely at home? PN Selfcare SelfGel products are designed for at-home use with clear instructions for perfect results — as long as you stick to indoor application 😉
