Dip powder is frequently cited as safer than gels, as well, since they aren't cured under an ultraviolet light—but bacterial infection can be a concern, should your technician not take the proper measures.
BIAB Nails Are the New, Longer-Lasting Alternative to Gel and Shellac. We tested the trending manicure—and got this surprising result. Watch out, gel and shellac, because there's a new, extremely durable manicure option that doesn't do as much damage to your healthy nails: BIAB nails.
A basic manicure, with the right polishes, is the healthiest for your nails. When we say the 'right polishes' we mean the best nail growth polish or breathable nail polish. The harsh chemicals in many polishes often degrade our nails. Using an organic polish that contains vitamins, is the best way to avoid damage.
Dip Powder Manicure
For this type of manicure, each nail color comes in the form of a pigmented powder, which your nails are dipped into after being applied a clear liquid formula. It's generally stronger than gel and lasts longer.
A Shellac manicure is great for someone who wants to reduce damage to their nail, as shellac polishes are super easy to remove—no nail drill needed. Regular nail polish takes a long time to dry and gel can sometimes lead to damage if removed incorrectly—a shellac manicure is your happy medium.
Since then, I've been testing a few polish systems that are much easier on nails than gels, and there are two I really like: Dazzle Dry, a lacquer system that lasts longer than traditional polish or hybrids and doesn't need to be cured by lights or soaked off, and the Green Flash system from Manucurist (yes, that's the ...
SNS has become a popular choice recently for a long-lasting manicure, but in our opinion, gel nail brands like Gelicious are a much better choice for a healthy manicure.
The nail pro also says that gel is arguably more sanitary than dipping practices since sometimes the powder comes in direct contact with the client's skin and is then re-used on other clients — gel polish doesn't have this problem.
Shellac nails typically last up to 2 weeks, while dip nails last up to 5 weeks. What you choose depends on your preferred method of application. Shellac nails require a UV light while dip nails do not. Shellac nails have a thinner application while dip nails are usually harder and sturdier.
The newest technical innovation to impact the nail world is likely to astound – mainly because it doesn't physically exist. We're talking about the augmented reality (AR) manicure: technology that superimposes a hyperrealist, digital image onto a user's real-world view of their nail.
“Much of the promotion in the market is that SNS is 'healthy' for your nails and better for them than, say, a gel polish system,” says Monika Carvalho, owner of The Nail Lab. “But SNS is essentially the same as acrylic and over time will damage the natural nail the same way.”
There is very little evidence that SNS is any better or worse for your nails than gel polish, hard gel or acrylic. What causes damage to your natural nails is not the product itself, but the application and removal process. This is why your technician will advise you not to pick at or peel off your gel or acrylic.
The most common term you'll see among nontoxic or natural nail polish is “three-free,” which means a polish is made without formaldehyde (which is classified as a human carcinogen), toluene (a common solvent), and dibutyl phthalate (which helps create long-wear formulas).
If you're a gel or shellac manicure loyalist, chances are you've heard of BIAB or builder in a bottle. Gaining in popularity, BIAB is a type of manicure that aims to be as long-lasting and hard-wearing as acrylic nails, but without the traditional damage that can be associated with them.
Shellac nails are easier to remove as they don't require as much scraping and soaking in acetone as regular gel nails, which means less damage to your regular nail.
Additionally, while Shellac appears to help avoid the damage to the nails caused by acrylics, SNS goes a step further, according to Vo. “SNS is positively good for nail health. The SNS dipping powder system is fortified with no less than four vitamins, plus the all-important mineral calcium.
If you're talking about SNS vs shellac, a major difference is that SNS nails don't need UV light to cure them, which is a definite benefit. SNS nails are also known by the name Dip nails, as you dip your nail into the coloured powder.
Shellac, or gel nail polish, is painted on. SNS, or powder dip nails, is not painted on. Rather, you dip your fingers one-by-one into a little container of fine, coloured powder that sticks to your nails.
Revel Nail's commitment to non-toxic dip powder:
You will never find ANY of these chemicals in the dip powder you buy from Revel Nail. We are both cruelty free and vegan. Revel Nail believes that our dip powder is the no-compromise solution to a healthy, durable, long lasting manicure.
Therefore, professional nail products — be it dip powder or gel — are equally healthy for the nails. In fact, the most important thing to know about dip powder or gel is that neither inherently causes damage to the nail. Instead, damage is caused by improper application or removal of nail coatings.
Terrell suggests a week-long break between applications, and a two-week break every three applications. And of course, take longer, more frequent breaks if your nails feel particularly brittle after removal. During your dip powder rest period, it's important to use products like nail strengtheners and cuticle oil.
No primer needed; finish dries in 2 minutes. SNS products do not contain toxins like parabens, phthalates, synthetic sulfate, triethanolamine, formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP.
“We highly recommend using shellac polish versus your typical gel polish because they soak off easier and are less damaging to the nails during the soak-off process,” Dunne says.
“SNS typically lasts up to 2 – 3 weeks before it either starts to lift at the edge or the nails start to grow out from underneath. If you're looking for something that will give you a bit of extra wear, I would recommend SNS. It doesn't tend to lift as easily as gel nails so it can last a little longer.