Since the pandemic, visiting the nail salon became an issue, and it became necessary to learn how to do your nails to avoid damaged nails. If your old dip manicure is getting out of hand and you want to safely remove dip powder nails at home without spoiling your natural nails.
What are Dip Nails?
Dip powder polish, also known as a dip or SNS, is the go-to choice for durable manicure lovers thanks to their longer wear time and chip-resistant shine more than natural nail polish or a gel nail polish. However, they aren't a stretch, and to apply them, and you need to dip your fingernails into a tinted powder on your nail plate. The dip powder combines nail glue and a colored acrylic powder to develop this manicure without needing UV light to cure your polish.
This technique can be applied both at the salon and you can treat yourself at home. A dip powder is easier to remove thanks to the nail glue, cyanoacrylate, which is very sensitive to solvents. However, dip powder nails are applied by a layer of layering resin and powder, which creates a thicker manicure that can be removed on your own without risking damaging your natural nail health.
What are the Benefits of Dip Nails?
Dip manicures give the best of both worlds as they are as natural-looking as gel manicures and as durable as acrylics. Here are some huge benefits for getting a dip powder manicure:
- They last longer, and most people will say they last about a month with normal wear, meaning they will likely outlast your gel polish
- DIY friendly, and it's an easy option to hack at home
- Gentle on your natural nails than acrylic nails
- Plenty of color options are available online
How to Remove Dip Powder Nails at Home
The tools you will need will vary depending on the dip powder removal method you opt for:
Tools For Foil Removal Method:
- A nail file
- Pure acetone (nail polish remover won't do the trick)
- Nail Clipper
- Wooden cuticle pusher
- Small bowl
- Orangewood stick
- Cuticle oil
- Buffer block
Tools for Bowl Soak Method
- A coarse grit nail file
- Cotton balls
- 100% Pure acetone
- Paper towel sheets
- Cuticle oil
- Small bowl
- One large hand towel
The Foil Method
Ensure you cut the aluminum foil into small squares that fit around your finger tops and cut your cotton balls into some big pieces which should be big enough to cover your entire.
1. File Down the Dip Polish Top Coat
Start by gently pushing your cuticles back using an orangewood stick. Next, rule your nail file back and forth over your nails over the shiny top coat until they are no longer shiny and have a powdery white look. Once the powder is unprotected, it should easily dissolve in acetone and remember the regular nail polish remover won't work to remove dip powder.
2. Apply Petroleum Jelly to your Cuticle Area
Pure acetone can be dangerous to your skin health, and it can also be drying; therefore, you need to keep your skin protected. To prep your nails, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to each of your nail's cuticles and any other areas to help protect your skin from acetone. This helps step will help ensure the skin around your nail beds remains moisturized through the removal process.
3. Soak your nails in acetone
Soak cotton balls in acetone, place cotton balls on each nail, and wrap each nail with aluminum foil to keep everything in place. You can place plastic bags and hot towels on each hand to speed up the process.
4. Gently push the Polish Off your Nails
After soaking your nails for about 15 minutes, remove the nail wraps, and the dip powder should come off without too much pressure on your nail bed. Use an orange stick or a metal cuticle pusher and lightly scrape off the dip powder. If any dip powder is left, it should be thin enough to come off by swiping an acetone-soaked cotton ball.
5. Buff and Shape
If there are still some pieces of dip powder polish remaining, take your buffer and gently buff them off. Buffing will help even out the nail texture and give a smooth finish. Apply your choice of cuticle oil to your nail beds and gently massage it into each of your nails.
If your natural nail shape is uneven and jagged, take your nail file and create your ideal shape but try to keep your nails short, especially if they feel brittle. Keeping your nails short is the best way to avoid damaged and brittle nails from splitting or breaking.
The Bowl Soaking Method
If you find the aluminum foil application method of removing the dip powder nails too cumbersome, this is another simple method you can use at home. It needs less time to remove dip nails at home than foil, but it can be messier.
1. Heat Water
Fill your bowl with water about halfway and microwave for about two minutes because you need hot water, but the water should not burn you.
2. Prepare paper towels
Take a paper towel and fold it in half, then place it at the bottom of each of your bowls of acetone. Followed by pouring in enough acetone to saturate your folded paper towel.
3. Protect your hands
Cover your hand in some cuticle oil and leave your nails bare. You could also use a hand cream, but oil creates a better barrier. This helps prevent acetone from drying out the rest of your hands while your dip powder manicure soaks.
4. Soak your nails
Set a time for about five minutes and place your hand inside the bowl of acetone, nestling your nails in between the folded paper towel in a back and forth motion to create friction. This helps to dissolve your dip quickly, and to speed up the process, even more, you can place a steaming hot towel over the small bowl.
5. Finish the Touches
Rinse any acetone and residue remaining, and then buff away any remaining polish using a nail file. If you have any stuck by your cuticles, use a cuticle nipper gently to chip it, use a drenched cotton ball to wipe off or try soaking your nail polish for another minute. Buff again and finish by applying cuticle oil on all your nails.
How Should You Care for Your Hands and Nails After Removing Dip Powder Nails?
1. Take a Break between Manicures
One should take a break from dip powder manicures every two to three months to allow your nails to become dehydrated and brittle.
2. Use a Nail Treatment
While taking a break, you should apply a moisturizing and strengthening treatment to your bare nails, and according to Joy Terrell, a nail salon and facial bar, you can think of it as a deep conditioner or a mask for the hair.
3. Use Cuticle Oil Often
Any client will apply cuticle oil to your nails daily to leave your nails and cuticles hydrated, and not only will cuticles protect your nails. Using the oil can help extend the life of a manicure, and you can use pure sweet almond oil to give you full vitamin benefits and non-greasy.
4. Moisturize
Treat your nails to some moisture, and the coconut will work wonders on your nails. It is packed with fatty acids, and it might help to even protect your nail against fungal infection, while a regular nail oil will work fine.
If you don't have any products on hand, try applying olive oil, and you can soak your naked nails in one of these oils to leave them healthy and hydrated. The skin surrounding your nails will need some pampering after using acetone.
Image Credit: https://naildesigns.com/
