Hey there, hack-loving nail enthusiasts! Do you also love those extra-glossy and perfectly shiny gel nail polishes but hate spending hours at the salon curing those UV gels? Or are you afraid of the harmful side effects of UV curing lamps but don’t want to compromise on getting gel manicures? We are here with some hacks to help you. Though some of these may sound crazy, you need to try it to believe it!
How To Cure Gel Polish Without UV Light
Let’s dive deep and check out some of the crazy hacks to cure gel polish without UV light at home and save money.
How To Dry UV Nail Polish Without A Lamp
To quickly guide you through the basics, gel manicures are salon-quality manicures that use gel nail polishes to achieve a chip-free and ultra-glossy look that lasts for weeks together. Now this isn’t possible with your traditional drugstore nail polishes because we all know those chip and fade so easily. So how is it done? A special kind of UV/LED lamp is used for ‘curing’ these gel polishes to harden and secure them in place so they can last longer without budging.
Now, the concern is that though UV curing lamps are more popular and commonly used, they do have some harmful side effects. And to protect yourself from the damage caused by UV nail lamps, you may be thinking of skipping your gel manicures altogether. But then you eventually end up getting one done for some special occasion only to regret it later.
Well, we have no time for regrets in life! And so, you don’t need to skip your gel polishes for protection against skin damage. Instead, look for ways to cure gel polish without UV light. Here are some hacks you can try for yourself to alternatively get gel polishes done without UV curing.
Crazy Hacks to Cure Gel Polish Without UV Light
To put it simply, it is not possible to cure UV gel polishes without a curing lamp because these gels require exposure to ultraviolet wavelength for the polymerization of their compounds. They can only harden when they absorb the UV light. So, the long and short of it is that you cannot dry UV nail polish without a UV lamp.
But you can achieve the ‘look’ of these salon manicures by substituting UV gels with non-UV gel polishes. There are some hacks you can try with these substitutes to get the desired results at home.
Choose a Non-UV Gel Polish
Many brands these days have come up with the idea of non-UV gel polishes to replicate the original UV-curing gels. These are far better than the traditional air-dry nail polishes and give the look of UV-cured gel polishes. They even last pretty well compared to simple nail polishes and are made to cure on their own without light. You can elevate your DIY manicures using these non-UV gel polishes without having to invest in UV lamps and the risks associated with them.
Use an Ice Bath
Whether you’re using a traditional nail polish or a non-UV gel polish, this is the best and cheapest hack for quick-drying and adding shine. This is an age-old idea used for drying your polish quicker than air-drying.
It is as easy as filling up a bowl with water and ice cubes and dipping your fingernails in them. Yes, that’s all you need to do and your freshly-painted polish will dry quickly. Dipping your nails for a few minutes in this ice bath and then letting them air-dry helps your polish last longer and look shinier.
Use Quick-Drying Nail Polish Spray
Another hack using a drugstore product is to use a quick-drying nail polish spray. These sprays are specifically designed for non-UV gel nail polishes and they help cure the product faster and harder.
Once you buy this product, spray it directly from the can on your freshly painted nails from about a 6-inch distance just as you’d apply perfume. Spraying a light coat of this nail enamel dryer on wet nail polish helps dry and harden the product to make it last longer. You may even spray it over a top coat after air-drying several polish coats for added shine.
Take a Sun Bath
Crazy as it sounds, but this one has logic! You need UV rays for curing your gel polishes and the sun isn’t a source of Vitamin D alone. In fact, it emits enough UV radiation for the entire planet and you can use these to dry your non-UV gel polishes.
Lather your skin with sunscreen before applying your polish and then allow the sun to shine on your nails to dry it. This sounds easy but trust us, it takes hours for your gel polish to dry if you’re not using a non-UV version. If it is possible for you to sit out in the sun for so long without worrying about tan, you can surely try this hack.
Use Cooking Spray
Crazy yet funny, right? But yes, cooking spray can help cure the top layer of your gel polish (don’t ask us how!)
Try using a cooking spray just as you’d use a nail polish drying spray knowing that this one isn’t only as quick. You need to give it a few hours to see the magic. Use this on top of your last coat or top coat and wait for it to dry and harden before you clean off the sticky oil residue. And, besides drying your polish, the cooking spray also moisturizes your cuticles as an added plus in your nail care routine.
Invest in an LED Lamp
If none of the hacks work for you or you don’t want to experiment with any, you still have an option. If you don’t want to use a non-UV gel polish, you can still stick to your gel polishes that require curing light without the fear of UV damage. The idea is to choose an LED lamp instead. An LED nail gel curing lamp has several benefits over a UV one and you can either choose a salon that uses an LED lamp or buy one for yourself.
As said, LED light is less harmful to the skin than UV light, and LED curing lamps even offer lesser drying time making it a win. Many salons are now switching to LED lamps entirely and you can visit one such salon for your regular manicures. Besides, there are also multiple options available for home use including the mini ones which can be a safe and budget buy.
Summing It Up
Exploring these crazy hacks to cure gel polish without UV light opens up a world of possibilities for perfect nails without traditional tools. Whether you’re using sunlight, ice water, or innovative products like non-UV gel polishes and LED lamps, you now have several effective methods to achieve that flawless, long-lasting shine. So, experiment with these techniques and find what works best for you. Say goodbye to the constraints of UV lamps and hello to beautifully cured gel nails, anytime and anywhere!
