If you like a durable and long-lasting manicure and always opt for acrylic nails, you may be missing out on one of the best trends -- dip powder nails. Dip has the durability of acrylic and the flexibility of gel, but without all the harmful chemicals and potential damage to the nail bed. Whether you're having your nails done professionally or doing your own dip powder at home, the end result is longer-lasting with brilliant shine. When it comes to lasting power, dip powder can even outlast acrylic nails, making it an ideal alternative to acrylics. As a pioneer of dip powder for the past 30 years, SNS super-charged the benefits of dip powder even further. Let's dig deeper to understand why dip powder is far superior to traditional acrylic methods.
What are Acrylics?
Great for adding length and strength to the nails, acrylics have been around for decades and are a mix of a liquid monomer and a powder polymer which forms a paste that is bonded to each natural nail, and then air-dried to a hard finish. The monomer that is used can be quite harsh on the nail and cause unsightly damage.
What are Dip Powder Nails?
Dip powder manicures involve the application of an extremely fine colored powder that hardens into a brilliant shine. They have the durability of acrylic nails, yet are formulated with healthy ingredients and require zero drying time. Dip Powder techniques do not use monomer saving the nail from the harsh chemical exposure and structural damage.
Benefits of Dip Powder
When applied and removed correctly, SNS dip powders provide extensive benefits when compared to acrylic nails or other types of manicures. Here are some of the top benefits of dip powder nails.
Durable & Gentle Protection
Many people who want long nails often opt for acrylic nails with faux extensions. However, these can severely damage your natural nails, causing them to become weak, brittle, and prone to breakage. Dip powder provides a strong yet gentle layer of protection that prevents breakage and allows your natural nails to grow long and strong without the need for faux extensions.
No Toxic Chemicals
Acrylic nails often contain toxic fumes and chemicals that can cause irritation and even health problems with long-term usage. SNS dip powders are non-toxic and are formulated with healthy nutrients like calcium, zinc, vitamin A, E, B5, and D3 that actually make your nails healthier with every application, promoting strong and healthy nail growth.
Less Likely to Damage Nail Bed
The removal process of acrylics can be very invasive and damage your nails beds. Nail techs often have to file down your natural nail to penetrate the thicker layers of the acrylic application. Acrylic nail glue also contains harmful chemicals, while the bio-friendly adhesive used for your dip powder manicure is gentle and safe, yet very effective.
Less Likely to Develop or Hide Infections
Because acrylic nails are typically filled instead of completely removed at each salon visit, it may be months before your natural nails are visible, making it more likely for acrylic nails to develop or hide nail infections. Dip powder is completely removed and reapplied at every salon visit, making it easier for you and your nail tech to assess your nail health.
Faster Application
Acrylic nails require a process of filing down your natural nail before the acrylic is applied and then needs to be dried under a fan. Compared to the application process of acrylics, dip powder is much faster to apply and requires virtually zero drying time after the activator is applied which results in a beautiful, hard and forgiving finish.
A More Natural Look is even easier
Acrylic nails require extensive professional training to get natural, thin layers while achieving thin layers with dip powder can be mastered much more readily.
More Color Options
Acrylic nails typically come in a few natural or blush colors making it necessary to add colored polish as an extra step, while dip powders come in a wide range of over 400 colors, allowing you endless options for a rich deeply pigmented manicure with a brilliant shine.
Less Maintenance
Acrylic nails often require a lot more maintenance than dip powder. Acrylics usually need to be filled every 2 weeks and sometimes you may need to get a full new set, while dip powder provides a beautiful, glossy manicure for 2 weeks or more.
Bottom Line
SNS prides itself on beautiful and healthy natural nails. The use of high-quality dip powders and safer ingredients make dip powder a healthier alternative to acrylics and other conventional manicure techniques.
FAQs
Natural Nail Health
Is dip powder healthier than acrylic? ›
Dip has the durability of acrylic and the flexibility of gel, but without all the harmful chemicals and potential damage to the nail bed. Whether you're having your nails done professionally or doing your own dip powder at home, the end result is longer-lasting with brilliant shine.
What is the healthiest alternative to acrylic nails? ›
If you're one of them, these tips from dermatologists can help you reduce the damage: Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack.
What are the negatives of dip powder nails? ›
One of the biggest cons of dip nails is that they have a bulkier look than gel or regular manicures, since multiple layers of powder are added to your nails. But a skilled nail tech can file them down (especially underneath your nails) to reduce the thickness and make them feel a bit more natural.
Is dip healthy for your nails? ›
Lipner says, “It's not dangerous to apply a dip powder every month. However, to remove these manicures, you need to put 100% acetone on your nails, which can damage your nails.” The acetone removes more than the nail color. “It peels off layers of nail and thins the nails over time,” says Dr.
Can bacteria grow in dip powder? ›
The pseudomonas bacteria can be found in many things, including water. And when bacteria-laden droplets get trapped in your dip nails? That's bad news. These pesky pseudomonas thrive in warm, damp, and nearly oxygen-free environments.
Why do my nails hurt after dip powder? ›
If your dip powder manicure is not done correctly, it can also cause your nails to feel weird. If the layers of powder and liquids are applied too thickly or unevenly, it can create an imbalance in pressure on your nail bed, leading to discomfort or numbness.
What nail technique is the least damaging? ›
Overall, Dip Powder Manicures are a great way to get a healthy manicure that will protect and strengthen your nails without causing any damage. Just like any nail treatment, you do have to make sure you properly remove it to keep your nails safe and healthy – Don't pick at your manicure!
What is it called when you get your nails done without acrylic? ›
Dip powder manicure
However, unlike gel manicures, dip powder nails do not need any UV lights during fixing. The dip powder manicure process is simple. As the name suggests, your manicurist rubs a clear adhesive on each fingernail and then dips them into a pigment-based powder one after the other.
What is a better alternative to using acrylic? ›
Polycarbonate offers much more resilience than acrylic, making it ideal for highly demanding applications like bullet-resistant windows.
Unlike traditional techniques like acrylic or gel, dip powder nails do not require any UV light exposure. This eliminates the potential harm caused by UV lights, making dip powder a healthier choice. Moreover, dip powder nails are known to be highly resistant to chipping and peeling, ensuring longer-lasting manicures.
Do dip nails have formaldehyde? ›
Speaking of toxic, most dip powder formulas are free of toxins commonly found in nail polish. SNS dip powders are 3-free and don't contain Formaldehyde, Toluene or DBP. Revel Nail dip powders are 7-free and don't contain Formaldehyde, Toulene, DBP, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, and Xylene.
Is dip worse for your nails than gel? ›
Though dip powders are generally considered the gentlest option, both gels and dips can be used long-term without damaging your nails. Once again, choosing a high-quality product – and taking care of your nails properly – are the most important factors when it comes to nail health.
How often should you take a break from dip nails? ›
If you're unsure how often you should take breaks from dip nails, following a set schedule can be helpful. Dr. Lipner from AAD recommend taking a break every 3-4 weeks if you're using dip powder regularly. This allows your natural nails to grow out and replenish any nutrients that may have been depleted.
How to heal nails after dip? ›
Ways to repair damage: If your nails are weak post-dip, keep them short and rounded to prevent breakage. “File them regularly to fix snags and stimulate blood flow,” says Remark.
What is a Russian manicure? ›
The Russian nail method is a dry process of filing, cutting, and removing the cuticle with electric drill bits entirely for a clean look and feel. The Russian manicure can prevent the dry cracking of cuticles or hangnails, thus extending the longevity of the manicure.
Is dip better than gel for nail health? ›
Gel Nail Polish is formulated to restrict the growth of microbes, so you can rest easy knowing there's no cause for concern. Whilst the durability of a dip manicure may seem desirable, it can actually come as a detriment to your nail health.
Do dip nails use UV light? ›
Dip powder nails require no exposure to UV light to seal and cure the color. As a result, the process is typically quicker, and you never feel the burning sensation like when gel polish is activated by the light. Plus, the skin on your hands is kept UV damage-free.
Is gel or acrylic better for weak nails? ›
Gel nails are less likely to cause damage to natural nails than acrylic nails. They are less harsh on the natural nails during the application and removal process, which can be beneficial for people with weaker nails.
What type of nails last the longest? ›
Gel nails typically last longer than regular polish, often up to two to three weeks without chipping. They provide a glossy and polished look that remains shiny for an extended period. Gel nails cure quickly under UV or LED light, reducing the risk of smudging compared to regular polish.
