Have you seen those viral TikToks and Instagram reels where she pours a colored acrylic powder on wet nails and they form strong extensions? Those are nothing fancy – they’re called dip powder nails. Sure you can get dip nails done professionally or even DIY them, it is quite simple. If you can do gel polish applications at home, then dip nails will be a cakewalk for you. But the catch is in it’s removals.
Since dip nails aim for durability, they lay quite hard on your natural nails and it becomes quite difficult to get them off even when you want it. Good that they don’t chip off but then they can’t even be removed effortlessly. Then what to do? Keep reading to know the solution.
How to Remove Dip Powder Nails: A Complete Guide
The nail industry has many manicures and nail extension systems coming and going with time. But when it comes to durability and performance, only a few have stayed true to the test of time. Acrylic nail extensions are known for their strong extensions and longevity while gel nails are better known for their flexibility and natural appearance. While acrylics are air-dry and last long, they are more harmful to your natural nails than gel. Contrarily, gels are safer and more vulnerable, ideal for weak nails, but they don’t tend to last as much and are prone to chipping.
This is when dip powder nails come into the picture. They are air-dry and use powders like acrylics besides being safer and stronger than gels. The only drawback is the removal process; dip removals are quite tough. But it’s not impossible to learn and we are here to guide you on how you can DIY it at home.
What are Dip Powder Nails?
Dip powder nails are a type of manicure that uses nail glue and colored acrylic powder to develop something similar to a gel polish but better. Also known as SNS (Signature Nail System), the dip manicure uses several layers of resin to create a colored layer that is hard and durable and lasts for up to 5 weeks. And all this is done without even using a UV/LED nail lamp. Yes, dip nails are air-dry and are still more long-lasting than any gel or even acrylics.
Dip nails have become quite popular recently owing to their durability and long-lasting color without sacrificing natural nail health. Over the past few years, many of us have drifted towards dip powder nails over acrylics and gels for all the good reasons. It uses a special resin-type nail glue (often called nail resin) that hardens to seal in the colored acrylic powder creating one of the strongest manicures. And it is easy to learn – you can even practice it for your DIY manicures and achieve salon-quality nails at home with ease.
So what’s the flip side? As mentioned earlier, the dip nail system comprises several, precisely seven, layers of acrylic and resin combination. This creates quite a thick manicure and once hardened, it is quite difficult to remove. It isn’t a soft gel that would just melt and dissolve using a chemical. You might risk damaging your natural nails if you get on doing it without any professional help or training. It isn’t as easy as removing gels.
We recommend always getting your dip nails removed at a professional nail salon for these very reasons. But if you really need to get them removed at home, you can do it but with a lot of patience, care, and of course, practice. Here’s how you can remove dip nails at home without harming your natural nails thereby keeping them safe and healthy.
DIY Ways to Remove Dip Powder Nails at Home
Dip powder manicure is ideal for those with weak, brittle nails. It hardens soft nails but is not flexible like gels. It rather creates a tough coating on the natural nails and this is why it gets tricky to remove at home. But if you don’t want to hit the salon every time you need removals, here is a step-by-step guide to remove dip powder nails easily and safely at home.
Tools Needed
You’ll need a few standard DIY manicure tools like:
- 100% pure acetone
- Nail soaking bowl
- Cotton balls
- Aluminum foil
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Nail buffer
- Orangewood stick
Steps for Dip Nail Removals
DIY your dip nail removals by following these steps patiently and precisely for the safety of your natural nails:
- Use a nail clipper to trim the excess length. If you have any fake nail tips attached, cut down till your natural nail length.
- Next, remove the top shiny coat of the dip nails using a 100-grit nail file. Make sure you use the coarse side of the file and file down till the color layer. You will see the entire layer covered in white dust when it’s done.
- Now, prepare an acetone bath in a nail soaking bowl specially meant for dip removals. You may use any small bowl or container instead if you don’t have it. Fill this bowl with 100% pure acetone with enough amount so your nails can be submerged.
- Soak your fingernails in this acetone bath for at least 10-15 minutes. Not to worry if the polish doesn’t budge even after this time since dip nails are tough to remove. If it happens, that’s your sign to soak more.
- If you’re afraid of harming your skin by directly submerging your fingers in chemicals, you may even use an acetone-soaked cotton ball and wrap it around your nails using foil wrap. This method, however, isn’t as effective on dip nails; it may take forever to work or may require excessive filing later on.
- Once you see the product layers lifting (finally!), it’s time to scrape the flakes off. Using an orangewood stick, start scraping them off gently starting from the cuticle towards the tip. Avoid rushing or causing trauma to your nails since they’d be weak out of the soaking process. Repeat the acetone bath if the dip is not completely removed.
- Remove the tiny bits of residue using a nail buffer to gently buff the surface. Finish off with proper hydration and moisturization. Since acetone soaks snatch too much moisture from your nails and cuticles, it’s time to go heavy on hand cream and cuticle oil. Lather your hands and avoid extreme hand-washing or sanitizing. Give your nails a good few days’ break before reapplying any other product.
Wrapping Up Dip Nail Removals
Removing dip nails may seem tricky and tough, but as we’ve discussed, it’s quite manageable with the right approach, tools, and practice.
When it’s time to say goodbye to your beloved dip manicure, think of it as an opportunity to give your natural nails a little TLC. Whether you choose to soak or wrap them in acetone, the key lies in being gentle with your nails to prevent damage. Follow up the removal process with nourishing treatments like cuticle oils, strengthening polishes, and hydrating hand creams to keep your nails healthy and ready for their next look.
So, take a moment, gather your supplies, and let your nails breathe for a bit before you dive into your next creative design.
