Dip Powder Manicure

Finding a beautiful manicure can be a tricky feat: you want something that will look beautiful while remaining chip-resistant over time and won’t damage your natural nails.

Dip powder manicures, according to beauty experts, offer a safer alternative than gel or acrylic nail treatments. We interviewed nail technicians to understand its inner workings as well as any possible advantages or disadvantages of the process.

How It Works

Dip powder nails (commonly referred to as SNS manicures) have become increasingly popular, yet many remain confused as to what exactly these manicures entail and how you can obtain one. We enlisted nail experts as sources for answers on this matter.

“Unlike gel, which is applied like polish and cured using UV light, a nail technician applies a special base or primer before each nail is dipped into a pot of powder that’s either colored or clear,” according to Syreeta Aaron, a professional nail artist and LeChat Nails educator. Subsequent dippings occur two to three times according to desired opacity; after each coat has set it is then brushed away for removal by brush.

Aaron reports that nails typically last up to three weeks before chipping, fading, or lifting, though frequent thick manis requiring drying acetone for removal could weaken natural nails over time – so giving them a rest every month will keep them strong and healthy.

Preparation

Manicures involve more than simply applying colorful polishes and finishes; there’s an extensive prep process involved that ensures flawless, long-term results.

Before providing you with a manicure, a nail artist will begin by pushing back cuticles and clipping hangnails from your nails to help prevent premature lifting of polish, which could leave an unsightly finish on your nail plate.

Dr. Dana Stern emphasizes the importance of following proper sanitary protocol when handling powder in-salon. This means dusting powder over each nail instead of dipping your nails in a communal pot of polish which could harbor bacteria.

Dip powder manicures may be healthier alternatives to gel manicures as they don’t rely on UV light to cure their polish. However, it should be noted that dip powder‘s bonder may contain high concentrations of monomers which may trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Application

Your nail technician will apply a base coat before dipping each fingernail in colored powder and brushing off excess material before adding clear sealant as the final touch to secure the hue and increase opacity. This process may be repeated up to three times for desired opacity.

Although durable, one drawback of a powder manicure is its potential hardiness on your nails. Dermatologists advise ensuring that the nail artist dusts the powder rather than directly dipping your finger in (for hygiene reasons).

As well, sharing nail colors could increase the risk of infection. Furthermore, soaking off polish may be harsh on natural nails without adequate prep. An acetone nail polish remover-soaked cotton swab will help break up topcoat so it can be gently peeled off without being pulled too harshly off.

Removal

As with any nail service, it is best to leave the removal of your Dip powder manicure to professional nail technicians. This is particularly true if you regularly visit one salon for nail services; nail technicians could easily cross-contaminate other clients if they use one pot of product for all clients, according to Laaouiti.

Professionals use nail files to remove sealant from nails before soaking them in acetone; the longer you soak, the easier it is for the color to come off.

When performing DIY removal at home, experts advise conducting a patch test prior to using any acetone-based polish removers on your nails. Apply a small amount of acetone on one fingernail and wait 24 hours before seeing how your skin and nails react to its presence.

After getting your nails removed, make sure you invest in cuticle oil and hand cream to nourish both hands and nails after being immersed in acetone for so long. Give yourself at least a week’s break between services or more if your nails seem dry or brittle.