Illuminate: Engineered by Science. Proven by Performance.
When we set out to create Illuminate, we started with the science of curing itself — going back to the core science of how gel actually cures. Because perfect curing isn’t about more light, it’s about precision, wavelength, and light consistency.
From that science emerged Illuminate: our next-generation gel nail lamp, scientifically engineered for nail professionals who demand flawless results and tech they can rely on. Four years in the making, this is Illuminate.
The Real Science of Curing (What Actually Matters)
More bulbs won’t save a poorly engineered lamp, and more wattage won’t correct the wrong wavelength.
Only high‑quality LEDs, tuned to precise wavelengths and engineered to maintain consistent intensity, can even curing — set after set, client after client.
From our collaborative research with the University of Bath[1], and our independent degradation testing[2], we know that the correct wavelength is everything, light intensity must stay stable, and higher-quality LEDs outperform more LEDs — every time. We didn’t just test Illuminate, we tested industry-wide performance, and Illuminate outperformed across the board.
LEDs must emit within specific wavelengths (365–405 nm) to activate the photoinitiators in gel systems. If the wavelength output shifts, curing efficiency may reduce — even when visible brightness appears high.
Light stability matters just as much. A lamp isn’t defined by how it performs on day one – but by whether it maintains consistent output at hour 500.
Our degradation testing revealed significant performance drop‑offs across the multiple pro lamps, with some losing measurable performance long before they appear visibly worn.
MYTH‑BUSTING: The Truth About Curing
MYTH 1: More bulbs = better curing
TRUTH: LED quantity alone does not determine curing performance.
Effective curing depends on calibrated LED quality and precise placement to deliver even exposure across the entire nail — including thumbs, edges and sidewalls. Distribution matters as much as output.
Illuminate uses precision-engineered LEDs strategically positioned to deliver controlled, even intensity across the nail surface.
MYTH 2 — Higher wattage means better curing
TRUTH: Wattage measures electrical power consumption — not how much usable UV energy reaches the nail.
Effective curing depends on:
- Wavelength accuracy (typically 365–405nm)
- Light intensity at the curing surface (lux)
- Output stability over time
That’s why wattage alone is an incomplete indicator of curing performance.
Illuminate is tuned specifically for TGB gel systems. Rather than maximising brightness, we engineered a lamp calibrated for optimal compatibility and professional precision.
MYTH 3 — All UV wavelengths cure all gels equally
TRUTH: Gel chemistry responds to specific UV wavelength ranges. If wavelength output shifts over time, polymerisation behaviour may change — even when cure times appear similar.
Matching lamp output to gel chemistry supports reliable results when curing.
Illuminate is engineered and tested to cure TGB gel and BIAB™ systems as directed, within the professional UV range (365–405 nm).[3]
MYTH 4 — Heat and internal design don’t affect curing
TRUTH: Internal design influences how evenly UV reaches the nail surface.
Strategic LED placement supports:
- Reduced dead zones
- More even curing across the nail, thumbs and edges
- Greater consistency during professional use
Curing isn’t just about power, it’s about engineering.
Illuminate features 42 strategically placed LEDs designed to deliver even UV exposure across the nail — helping to reduce dead zones, including around thumbs and edges.[4]
Interrupted Curing: The Science That Changes Everything
Our research study with the University of Bath[1] proved:
- Polymerisation begins within 1–2 seconds of UV exposure.
- The gel forms a stable scaffold rapidly, even if curing is paused.
- Curing resumes exactly where it left off.
- Total UV exposure time matters — not whether it's continuous.
What matters is the total exposure time — not whether it’s delivered in one go.
That's why Illuminate includes intelligent pause‑and‑resume curing. It's not a feature added for convenience — it’s engineered around actual gel chemistry to support pro-service flexibility.
Why We Built Illuminate Gel Nail Lamp
We didn’t want a lamp that simply “worked”. We wanted to engineer one that delivers guaranteed performance from first use to last, so you can trust that every set you cure, is cured safely and flawlessly. Illuminate is next-gen innovation, designed in-house to bring you a gel nail lamp that doesn’t just perform, it outperforms.
So, we asked:
How do LEDs degrade over time?
Independent lab testing showed competitor lamps declining by 18–34% within 500 hours of continuous use.[2]
What if we engineered against that decline?
Illuminate’s advanced LED system was developed for long-term spectral and intensity stability.
Illuminate’s LEDs are:
Spectrally stable
Positioned for maximum curing coverage
Engineered to maintain consistent intensity
Tuned to TGB gel photoinitiator chemistry
Because pros don’t need lamps that start strong. They need lamps that stay strong.
So… Why Illuminate? Why Now?
Because the industry didn’t need another high‑wattage headline. It needed a scientifically engineered lamp — built around real curing science and backed by research.
Illuminate was developed to elevate every part of your workflow — from speed to precision and consistency. Want to find out more about our new gel nail lamp? Our Academy blog breaks down the key pro-first features of Illuminate and why it’s a gamechanger for your business.
[1] Ginny Li, PhD, Ifra Siddique, BSc (Hons), Philip Fletcher, PhD. The Mechanics of UV Gel Curing: Debunking the Interrupted Curing Myth. The GelBottle Inc & University of Bath. The GelBottle Inc [TGB], 51-53 West Street, Brighton and Hove, BN1 2RA, United Kingdom. Imaging Facility, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
[2] Based on independent testing under controlled conditions assessing bulb degradation over 500 hours of continuous use, with comparative evaluation against selected professional LED nail lamps measuring light intensity, wavelength stability, and curing output.
[3] Designed and tested for compatibility with TGB formulations.
[4] Design intent supported by internal development testing. Performance varies by usage conditions.