Why won’t my nail lamp cure black, dark red, or dark green nail polish?

Dark-colored gels tend to have stronger pigment opacity, which can make curing more difficult. The most common reason is that the gel was applied too thickly, combined with using a nail lamp with lower power, which prevents the light from penetrating deep enough into the gel layer, leading to the "dry on the surface, wet underneath" issue.

This happens because the pigments in dark-colored gels are denser and block the UV/LED light, which affects the curing process. This is especially noticeable when the gel is applied thickly.

💡Suggested solutions:

Apply each layer thinly and build up in layers. Cure each layer for the recommended time—suggested to be 90 seconds or more.

Use a high-power nail lamp, such as our professional salon series, which cures faster and penetrates more thoroughly.

Avoid applying thick layers all at once, especially with dark-colored gels. Be patient and apply in layers.

If the issue persists, check whether your lamp has aged or if the light bulbs are weakening. Alternatively, you could try a different brand of gel polish to see if it works better.

If you have any further issues, feel free to contact us anytime!