Since it doesn’t use the damaging UV light associated with gels, dip powder is praised as the mani with lasting strength and even the “healthier” alternative to fake nails. How well-liked is dip powder among those who practice clean beauty, despite all the hype? Here are the benefits and drawbacks of this long-lasting manicure.

1. What is dip powder, first?

Typically, the procedure goes like this: A nail technician will apply a sealant primer to your nails and then dip them into a container of the color of your choice of colored powder (or they’ll paint the powder on with a brush—more on that later). Typically, they’ll go through the procedure several times to ensure that the nails have enough color applied. You’ll walk out of the salon with a manicure that looks flawless for three to four weeks after a clear top coat and a few minutes under the fan.

Doesn’t hold a certain allure? The effects of dip powder on nail health, however, have given rise to certain worries. What you should know is this:

2. Shares acrylics’ base.

Some people may believe that dip powder is a safer alternative to acrylics. In essence, though, “dip powder is an acrylic powder,” according to Evelyn Lim, Paintbox’s chief educator. That’s because both products use acrylic ester polymers as their primary component. Despite the fact that dip powder doesn’t adhere as thickly as acrylics, both of these strong materials can harm the natural nail. In particular, they can be rather heavy on the nail beds, occasionally suffocating the area and causing irritation.

3. The nail plate may be damaged by it.

Dip powder, which is comparable to acrylics once again, also needs rough buffing and filing to get the adhesive to stick. The surface of the nail plate must be roughened up with a much harder file in order to apply acrylics or dip powders, continues Lim. Your natural tips may become weaker as a result of that process, which increases the likelihood that they will split and break.

Additionally, dip powders need a resin basis to aid in the powder’s transformation into a thick, sticky goo; typically, those adhesives include cyanoacrylate, which is the primary component of Super Glue1. A little rough on the natural nail.

4.Does not need UV lighting.

The fundamental benefit of dip powder is that the recipe is not cured by UV light into that candy-shell lacquer. In that sense, dip powder manicures might be preferable than gel manicures: According to one study, ten minutes of exposure to a UV nail light is equivalent to the recommended daily limit for outdoor workers.

5. May raise some sanitary issues.

A typical dip powder appointment involves either dipping each finger into the jar of powder (sometimes more than once) or having the pigment applied with a brush by a nail technician. The latter raises more hygienic issues, but both entail frequently dipping your fingers into the jar.

Since nail professionals probably wouldn’t throw away every container after just one use, by repeatedly dipping different people’s tips into it, the powder may become contaminated with bacteria and even infect some people. However, if you decide to get a dip, make sure your nail technician isn’t continuously dipping your fingers into the powder; it might be more hygienic to have the powder painted on with a brush.

6. The decision.

This is the lowdown on dip powder: Although we applaud the lack of UV radiation, this does not make it safe for nail health. As each uses the same basic component and significantly roughens the nails, it can have a relatively comparable effect on your nails to acrylics.

Furthermore, the potential for contamination from repeated dips cannot be disregarded from a safety perspective. However, if you want a dip manicure, be sure to visit a nail technician who brushes the powder on rather than dipping each finger in the container.

Keep your natural nails in mind even if you’ve had your fair share of dip powder manicures: Simply keep those tips moist and hydrated (a daily cuticle oil is recommended, according to Lim), and maintain excellent nail care until they have fully grown out. A strong, naked nail is constantly in style, therefore it could take some time.