What Are Dip Powder Nails?

There are a variety of manicures to choose from. Including your basic polish, gel, acrylic, and dip powder. Excluding traditional polish, every type of manicure uses acrylic based ingredients. Including dip powder, powder gel, or SNS.

What is dip powder?

Dip powder is a combination of nail glue and pigment powder that hardens when it's combined and exposed to oxygen. It's like combining components of gel and acrylic manicures and creating its own system.

Dip powder may seem to just recently have become a service, but it's been around since the 1980's. This type of manicure actually has origins in a dentists office where they use similar techniques and products to mold crowns and bridges for patients teeth. The brand O.P.I. stands for Odontorium Products Incorporated. Odontirium isn't an actual word, but the root "odonto" means relating to the teeth. They made the switch from Odontorium Products Incorporated to O.P.I. when they made the switch from teeth to nails. Interesting, right?

The origins in the dentist's office actually explains why dip powder has such a quick drying time. With the use of cyanoacrylate glue, the pigmented powder is bound to the nail. To top it off, the pigmented powder also contains chemicals used to make bone cement.

How does dip powder work?

Before application, the natural nail surface is either clipped all the way down for a plastic tip applicator or filed into a shape. After shaping the nail, the cyanoacrylate glue is applied and the nail is dipped into a clear powder base. Next, the glue is reapplied and a coat of pigment is applied. After around 3-4 coats of pigment, an activator is brushed on the nail and this creates a chemical reaction in the product. This creates a sturdy, smooth surface on the nail. Once it's dry, the manicurist uses a nail drill with a tubular tip to buff and further shape the nail until it is smooth and looks exactly how you want. To finish, it's sealed with a clear top coat.

Dip powder nails should last about 2-3 weeks if you take proper care of them. A benefit to dip powder is they're sturdier than acrylic and let your natural nails grow underneath. No worries about breaking them from opening a soda can!

What about removal?

The manicurist will remove the dip powder nails with an acetone soap applied to cotton wrapped in foil. You (and the manicurist) need to be patient! If it's rushed, there could be scraping. This damages the layers of the nails and leaves them looking jagged and becoming weakened. With any nail removal, there will be some dehydration that happens. With repeated applications, you could find yourself being left with dry brittle nails.

Now, should I DIY or go to a salon?

Okay, although it is tempting to do a DIY job on your nails, you should go to a salon and have them done by a professional. Some salons don't even offer dip powder manicures for safety reasons. The biggest concern is bacteria getting into the dip powder pots used in the process. Yes, you may have washed your hands before beginning to dip, however there still is the very real risk of harmful bacteria.

If you're concerned about this, you can invest in your own personal powder pots. They're available online or in beauty stores. However, you may want to read the reviews and make sure they're not mixed with chemicals if you're buying online. Below are some links to dip powder that is safe to buy!

AZURE Dip Powder Set With 10 Neutral Tones $33

This set of 10 dip powder pots by AZURE is non-toxic and odor free. They are high-quality, long lasting, and chip resistant.

AZURE Dip Powder Set With 10 Colors for Christmas $39