If you feel like you’ve been seeing a surge in dip powder content on your Instagram and Pinterest feeds lately, you’re not alone. Dip powder manicures are booming right now, with professional technicians and home manicure enthusiasts alike raving about them, and the most respected names in nail cosmetics scrambling to develop new color options and diversify their product lines. If you’ve been to the salon lately, there’s a good chance your technician has suggested a dip manicure, and not for lack of good reasons. So, let’s take it from the top: what’s this dip powder all about, and why should you be interested?
What is a Dip Powder Manicure?
Dip powders are applied to the nail in an involved, multi-step process. Without going into too much detail, dip powders are applied to the nail using an adhesive base, typically using two alternating layers of adhesive and colored powder, followed by a clear powder and activating agent, and finished with a final buff and topcoat. The result is not only lush and gorgeous, but strong and structurally secure, especially when the manicure is performed by a trained nail technician — though many DIY kits now come with all the necessary tools and instructions needed to achieve fantastic results at home, granted you have the skill and patience. Dip powder manicures last for weeks, and are especially suitable for nail art, which has been a driving force in establishing the prominence of dip powder manicures on social media platforms.
You might be surprised to find that, despite its recent popularity, dip powder is not a new technology. The first acrylic powders manufactured for use as nail decoration were marketed in the early 80’s, after successful experiments with acrylic powder similar to what was then used in dental composites. Dip powders have seen varying levels of attention ever since, but only now have they become such a dominant focus of the manicure world, with premier manufacturers such as SNS prioritizing the development of new dip powder products over gel and lacquer polishes.
Why Is Dip So Popular?
The current dip powder craze can be attributed to its role as a safer, healthier, longer lasting alternative to gel polish. UV Gel polish, another multi-step manicure process known for long lasting, shiny results, has experienced a renaissance in its own right, but not without incurring some concerns. Some users are questioning the health impact of putting your hands in the ultraviolet light that is required to cure the gel properly. The UV is what allows the gel polish to dry and become rigid so quickly after application — but UV radiation is well documented as a contributor to the development of melanoma. While measures can be taken to safely enjoy gel polish, many have flocked to dip powder out of a desire to avoid UV lamps entirely.
Nutrients for Nail Strength
Manufacturers are well-aware of dip powder’s reputation as the safer option and are eager to come up with ways to make their products more beneficial to nail health. For the best health benefits, specifically request a healthy known brand at the salon. Some salons may offer one of the cheaper brands without discussing the options, so look for SNS or OPI. SNS in particular is synonymous with dip powder, it will be the most common quality brand stocked in salons. SNS has a reputation for focusing on health-oriented products, with more nutrients in their dip system than any other line. The adhesive used in the SNS system is made with calcium and vitamin E. Calcium is necessary for production of the keratin and contributes to stronger nails, and vitamin E is an immune system booster that protects the nail bed. Vitamins A, B5, and D3 are also included, respectively acting as an antioxidant, a nail bed strengthener, and a stimulator of collagen production, all helpful in the maintenance of healthy nails. After using a product like this, you might even find your nails stronger than they were before, a significant improvement from the brittle, weak nails that often remain after an acrylic manicure has been removed.
The Healthier Pour Method
A health-conscious salon may use the pour method for application. The dip method is most commonly used, but some users are concerned with dipping their nails back into containers where other hands have been. A salon can either separate the powder into a new sanitary container, or gently pour or dust the powder over your nails. Again, you may need to specifically request this method if sanitary procedures are important to you.
With the lack of UV exposure, inclusion of beneficial supplements, unparalleled durability, and a hard-to-beat final appearance, it’s easy to see why so many are gravitating away from gel — or the more traditional acrylic manicures — and toward dip powde
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