Montana Cosmetology Licensure Practice Exam

The service that requires a UV lamp in cosmetology is the gel manicure. This procedure involves the application of a gel-based nail polish that must be cured under a UV lamp to harden and set the product effectively. During this process, the UV light activates the photoinitiators in the gel, causing a chemical reaction that transforms the liquid gel into a solid state. This results in a durable finish that is resistant to chipping and maintains a glossy appearance for an extended period.

In contrast, nail polish application typically uses regular lacquer that dries via evaporation and does not require UV light. Pedicure treatments primarily involve soaking, filing, and polishing the toenails without the need for curing under a lamp. Traditional acrylic nails, while they may involve some curing processes periodically in combination with other materials, do not specifically require a UV lamp as an essential component of the application, as they often rely on air drying or chemical bonding initiated by acrylic monomer and polymer.