SNS provides a bit of extra strength and length to your nails, whilst maintaining a lightweight feel. It is much thinner than acrylic but thicker than gel polish. It's a great way of getting a bit of extra strength in your nails, whilst maintaining a more “natural-looking” finish.
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.
Gel manicures have been around for a few years now and have become increasingly popular due to the long-lasting finish and glossy look. Compared to SNS (Signature Nail System), gel is generally considered to be better for your nails since it is much less damaging.
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.
Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.
While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack. You'll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.
They are worried about the possible harmful effects of UV light exposure." 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 Down-Low on SNS
Unlike your typical lacquer or gel polish, SNS is applied as a powder in multiple coats that hardens onto the nail. Where Gel nails rely on a UV lamp to set the polish in place, SNS eliminates the need for unnecessary exposure, causing people to think of it as a healthier alternative.
Gel manicures benefit those with weaker nails and lasts just that little bit longer than Shellac. However, the removal process is quite lengthy. Shellac is a thinner polish, so if you want to give your nails more space to “breathe' and have sturdy natural nail beds, this one's for you.
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.
Another reason the SNS procedure tends to weaken nails is the removal process. This is an inflexible product, so any breaks or lifting usually takes your own nail with it! People prone to picking or removing can also peel away layers of their own nails with the product.
After getting acrylics, Edwards says that some people may experience a tightening sensation due to the acrylic forming a firm seal over their nails. The sensation may cause your nails to feel sore and sensitive immediately after application.
How long do SNS or dipping powder manicures last? Like gel manicures, SNS and dipping powder manicures last roughly two weeks, though with the right care they can last longer.
SNS is hailed as a healthy manicure, as the powder formula contains nail-fortifying calcium and other minerals. “It can be applied to almost any nail, no matter how short,” adds Bowhill-Hayes.
It does not take layers off or weaken the nail over time as SNS does, which means stronger, less damaged nails. Gelicious is free of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, tuolene, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, ethyl methacrylate, parabens, acetone, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – which means no nasty gel polish smell!
“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.
Shellac is much less damaging to nails than traditional gels (or acrylics), and if your goal isn't to make your nails longer, then they're a great choice. Shellac looks like a thick glossy gel polish, and the main benefit is that it reduces chipping.
CND Shellac vs OPI GelColor Curing Speed
If you were using a LED lamp GelColor would have an edge over Shellac in speed and how well it cured the coating. But if it was in a UV lamp they both will cure at pretty much the same speed but Shellac would have an edge as it's formula will cure better then GelColor's formula.
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.
SNS products do not contain toxins like parabens, phthalates, synthetic sulfate, triethanolamine, formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP. SNS nails are stronger and last longer.
The SNS powder is healthier for your nails than any other treatment as it's enriched with vitamins and calcium. That means they're less likely to break, and will leave the nail underneath in better condition.
The angle in which the brush is held plays a critical role: “If the brush is tilted upright and perpendicular to the nail, product builds unevenly and creates hills and ridges, which can lead to cracking,” says Garcia.
SNS stands for Signature Nail Systems. It's a powder dipping system accompanied by a brush-on, gel-based polish. The nail technician will apply the polish to your nail, dip it in the powder and repeat the process.
The difference between Shellac and SNS nails is more about method than it is about results. 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.