Does UV Light Dry Regular Nail Polish?

Gel manicures have become incredibly popular in recent years. Unlike traditional nail polish, gel polish is cured under ultraviolet (UV) lamps in nail salons, creating a glossy, chip-resistant manicure that can last up to three weeks. But does uv light dry regular nail polish in the same way?

As a nail polish enthusiast, I was curious if using UV lamps could speed up drying time for traditional polishes.

In this article, we’ll look at the difference between gel and regular nail polish, whether UV light causes regular polish to dry faster, and what happens if you try to “cure” regular polish under a UV lamp.

The Difference Between Gel and Regular Nail Polish

To understand if UV lamps work on regular nail polish, it helps to first look at what makes gel nail polish different.

Gel polish contains photoinitiators – special reactive ingredients that harden when activated by UV light. When you place your hand under the UV lamp after applying gel polish, the photoinitiators help the gel cure into a solid, glossy layer that adheres to the nail.

Regular nail polish, on the other hand, does not contain photoinitiators. Traditional nail polish relies on the evaporating solvents in its formula to dry and harden on the nail. The solvents slowly evaporate out over time, leaving the pigments and resins behind to create a dry, painted layer.

So while UV lamps cure and harden gel polish, the UV light does not cause any special chemical reactions or drying with regular nail polish.

Does UV Light Dry Regular Nail Polish?

With an understanding of the different compositions of gel and regular polish, we can take a look at the main question – does uv light dry regular nail polish?

The short answer is no, UV lamps do not make regular nail polish dry any faster.

Since regular polish does not contain photoinitiators like gel polish, the UV light does not impact the drying process. The solvents still need to evaporate on their own for the polish to harden, whether under UV lamps or not.

You may notice some minor acceleration of drying time under the UV lights. This is likely due to the heat the bulbs give off, which can slightly speed up solvent evaporation. But the UV rays themselves do not cure regular nail polish or have any special drying effect like they do with gels.

LED lamps also do not cause regular nail polish to dry faster. Just like UV lamps, LEDs do not impact the evaporation process. Any perceived drying acceleration is minimal and due to ambient heat.

Trying to Use UV Lamps on Regular Nail Polish

If you try to “cure” regular nail polish under UV or LED lamps, you’re unlikely to see much of a difference in drying time. But exposing regular polish to the lamps for too long can end up damaging the manicure.

Leaving regular nail polish under UV lights for a while may cause it to get thick and gummy. This is because the heat can melt and deteriorate the polish. The top layer may also remain uncured and soft without the UV light properly hardening it.

When applying regular polish, it’s best to stick to air drying as directed by the brand. Trying to cure it like a gel under lamps can lead to tacky, damaged, poorly dried results.

The Takeaway

To recap, UV and LED lamps are designed specifically to cure gel nail polish and will not dry regular polish any faster.

With traditional nail polish, you’ll get the same drying results with or without UV light. The solvents need to evaporate on their own to harden the polish, which is not sped up by curing lamps.

For the best application and drying of regular nail polish, I recommend following the brand’s instructions – typically involving air drying the polish for 5 to 10 minutes between coats. Skipping the UV lamp and allowing traditional polish to dry normally gives the best wear and avoids damage.

Conclusion

While gel manicures rely on UV lamps for curing, these lights have no special drying effect on classic nail polish. UV light does not dry regular nail polish – the polish will dry at the normal rate whether you use a UV/LED lamp or not. For optimal results, trust the tried and true air drying method for your favorite regular nail lacquers.